Significant leadership change is underway at the globally active family-owned business Schwan-STABILO. With operations spanning Writing Instruments, Cosmet- ics, and Outdoor, and revenues of approximately €800 million, the Group employs more than 5,200 people in 38 locations worldwide. After nearly three decades in various leadership roles, Sebastian Schwanhäußer (61) will step down from his operational responsibilities at the end of the current fiscal year and assume the position of Chairman of the Advisory Board on July 1, 2025.
As of October 1, 2025, Michele Molon (48) will take over as Group CEO of Schwan-STABILO. During the transition period, CFO Anke Buttler will lead the Group’s operations.
This generational shift has been deliberately prepared to ensure stability while welcoming new momentum and perspectives. As a sixth-generation family-owned company, Schwan-STABILO continues to believe that early, well-planned transitions are a sign of strength — especially in an increasingly volatile business environment.
A new group CEO: Michele Molon
Michele Molon is an Italian national with more than 25 years of international leadership experience across both family businesses and listed corporations. He joins Schwan-STA-
BILO from Swarovski, where he held various global executive roles since 2010 and has been a member of the Swarovski Executive Committee (EXCO) since 2017. Most recently, he served as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Swarovski International. In this role, he led the company’s entire commercial platform — including Retail, E-Commerce, Wholesale, and B2B Components — across over 150 global markets.
His responsibilities extended to local Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, and Finance, ensuring commercial alignment across all regions. He was also accountable for strategic growth engines and the Mobility business. Molon played a central role in the repositioning of the Swarovski brand and its transformation into a modern omnichannel business. He also served on the boards of several key subsidiaries and joint ventures within the Swarovski Group.
Prior to his tenure at Swarovski, Molon held senior positions at Montblanc, part of the Richemont Group. There, he served as Managing Director Italy Retail and later as Global Head of Retail Opera- tions, overseeing more than 600 boutiques worldwide.
A personal commitment
For Michele Molon, joining Schwan-STABILO is a values-driven decision. He deeply appreciates re- turning to a family business environment shaped by entrepreneurial spirit, long-term thinking, and a strong cultural foundation.
“Leading three vastly different business units under the roof of a single company is a complex yet incredibly exciting task,” says Molon. “It’s a rare opportunity — and one I take on with humility and determination. I want to thank the shareholders for their trust. The strength of any company lies in its people, and Schwan-STABILO is built on a culture of care, courage, and creativity. I believe in em- powering talent, listening deeply, and leading with clarity and conviction. He continues: “The world around us is not waiting — and neither should we. Constant evolution is the only way forward. My priority will be to strengthen our innovation capabilities and translate great ideas into tangible, prof- itable results — quickly and decisively. Together, we’ll keep moving, keep building, and keep earning our place in the future.”
Confidence from the family
Outgoing CEO Sebastian Schwanhäußer adds: “Michele Molon is an excellent personal and profes- sional fit for us. He brings deep international experience, a profound understanding of family busi- nesses, and a strong connection to brand heritage and markets. His instinct for innovation and crea- tivity gives him precisely the edge we need for Schwan-STABILO’s further development
His Italian origins is also a welcome addition to our diverse leadership culture.”
Change to the advisory board
Sebastian Schwanhäußer, representative of the fifth generation of the family, has initiated the gen- erational change at Schwan-STABILO after almost three decades in leading
management positions believing that “a generational change is a sensitive moment – especially after so many years of consistency. We planned this step at an early stage and prepared it independently of external factors. In my opinion, an early change is better than a late one. With our decision, we are creating space for fresh impetus and the kind of rejuvenation we need. At the same time, we are also relying on a clear distribution of roles: operational
responsibility is being handed over to new forces, while the family remains on board for the long- term direction. As a family-owned company, we think in terms of generations, not years. With a view to the next generations, this is a good step into the future.”. Commenting on his future role, he said: “For me, this transition is above all about changing perspective. I am deeply grateful for the trust that comes with my appointment as Chairman of the Advisory Board and look forward to this new role: supporting the Group as a sparring partner and representative of the owning family. My heart- felt thanks go to everyone who has accompanied me on my journey over the past few years – the more than 5,000 employees worldwide, my colleagues and our shareholders. Their contribution has made a lot of things possible and has had a significant impact on this time.”
What remains
Since joining Schwan-STABILO in 1997, Sebastian Schwanhäußer has held numerous roles and made a decisive contribution to the development of the Group. Under his leadership, the company successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthened its international business, and initiated key strategic investments. Notably, the Group’s entry into the Outdoor seg- ment in 2006 — through the acquisition of the backpack brand Deuter — was driven by his initiative. Today, Outdoor represents the Group’s third business pillar. His leadership style has been character- ized by foresight, openness, optimism, and a strong sense of teamwork — qualities that will remain valuable in his future role as Chairman of the Advisory Board.
A milestone year
With this generational change, Schwan-STABILO is turning the page to the next chapter in its 170- year success story. It is a clear sign of continuity, constant renewal, and moving ahead together with its people and with a clear, forward-looking focus.
