Koenig & Bauer has announced an orderly leadership transition at the helm of its core segment: Christian Steinmaßl will take over management of the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment from Markus Weiß effective 1 January 2027.
Following the successful implementation of key strategic milestones, Weiß has decided to step down from his managerial role at year-end in order to pursue new entrepreneurial ventures outside the Group.
Since taking office in early February 2025, Markus Weiß has played a decisive role in driving forward the segment’s strategic alignment during a demanding market phase. Under his leadership, key portfolio priorities were sharpened, forward-looking product initiatives were launched within the IMPACT program, and key customer relationships were deepened worldwide. In doing so, Weiß has decisively advanced the transformation of the segment while laying the groundwork for its consistent continuation.
“Together with our global teams, Markus Weiß has led the segment with clear strategic foresight, high commitment, and a strong customer focus,” explains Stephen Kimmich, CEO of Koenig & Bauer. “We deeply regret his decision, yet respect his wish for a new professional direction. We extend our warmest thanks to him for his outstanding dedication, team-oriented leadership, and exemplary handover. For his future path, both professionally and personally, we wish him continued success and all the very best.”
Orderly succession and unchanged strategy
Christian Steinmaßl will step into the role as successor. He will head the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment from 1 January 2027 and has already been a member of the Koenig & Bauer Group Management since December 2024, where his responsibilities include business units (such as Digital & Webfed, Vision & Protection, and Kyana), alongside Global Procurement and the production network. Furthermore, he brings many years of industry experience from the paper and printing industry, with an in-depth understanding of customers and their requirements across both commercial and packaging printing.
“With Christian Steinmaßl, an experienced industry leader who is anchored within the Group is taking responsibility for our core business,” adds Stephen Kimmich. “His appointment guarantees continuity as we pursue our IMPACT strategic framework and systematically enhance both the segment’s competitiveness and sustainable earnings power.”
Setting this course early ensures a smooth transition at the head of Koenig & Bauer’s Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment. Over the remaining months of the current financial year, Markus Weiß and Christian Steinmaßl will work closely together to ensure ongoing customer projects, strategic initiatives, and operational processes continue uninterrupted.
“Leadership is always a collective team effort,” emphasizes Markus Weiß. “I look back with pride on what we have achieved as a team despite challenging market conditions. The course has been set for the next phase of transformation under IMPACT, and important momentum has been established in the market. My thanks go to our customers for their trust and to the entire workforce for their fantastic dedication. My focus is now on ensuring a seamless handover to Christian Steinmaßl, with whom I share a relationship based on trust.”
With his extensive operational expertise, Christian Steinmaßl brings ideal credentials to rapidly advance the measures introduced in Koenig & Bauer’s core business and further leverage market potential in sheetfed offset and packaging printing.
“The Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment forms the core of Koenig & Bauer. I look forward to creating added value for our customers alongside our dedicated teams and to further developing our portfolio end-to-end. We will consistently press ahead with the transformation process already under way in order to continue offering our customers innovative and reliable solutions in the future,” explains Christian Steinmaßl.
