Bühler names Mike Häfeli as next CEO of Grains & Food business

Bühler Group has announced that Mike Häfeli will become CEO of its Grains & Food business and a member of the Executive Board from January 1, 2026. He will succeed Johannes Wick, who will step down at the end of this year after a decade in the role to take on a new strategic position within the company.

The leadership change marks an important milestone for Bühler’s largest business area, which has grown significantly under Wick’s stewardship. Over the past ten years, Wick has overseen the expansion of Bühler’s global market share, the launch of new business ventures, and a period of sustained financial performance. He also fostered a diverse leadership team and drove innovation across grain processing, alternative proteins, chocolate processing, and confectionery.

Wick’s tenure was defined by a commitment to partnerships as well as product innovation. He played a central role in building collaborations with companies including Imdher in Mexico, Endeco in Germany, and Premier Tech in Canada and China. He also supported new ventures in nut de-bacterization and grain puffing, helping Bühler broaden its scope in food technology.

“Johannes Wick has been a driving force behind Bühler’s transformation in the Grains & Food business,” said Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Bühler Group. “His strategic vision, deep industry expertise, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy. We thank Johannes for his exceptional leadership and contributions to Bühler’s success.”

Häfeli, who will step into the role at the start of 2026, brings a combination of industry experience and deep familiarity with Bühler. He began his career with the company more than 30 years ago as an apprentice, later graduating as a mechatronic engineer. He went on to hold several positions across automation, sales, and business leadership, including Vice President Automation in North America.

Between 2015 and 2023, Häfeli led Bühler’s Grain Quality & Supply business, before moving to the Bell Food Group as a member of its Executive Board and CEO of the Eisberg Group. In this role, he gained further experience in managing complex operations in the global food industry, making him a strong fit to lead Bühler’s Grains & Food business into its next chapter.

“We are equally excited to welcome Mike Häfeli back to the company,” said Scheiber. “His broad experience and leadership across both Bühler and the wider food industry make him the ideal successor to lead Grains & Food into its next chapter of innovation and growth.”

As one of Bühler’s core businesses, Grains & Food has been central to the group’s long-term strategy. It covers a wide portfolio, including grain and flour processing, nutrition solutions, alternative protein technologies, and processing equipment for chocolate and confectionery. Under Wick’s leadership, the division not only expanded its market presence but also strengthened its role in shaping global food systems.

Wick’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation has aligned with Bühler’s wider mission of reducing energy, waste, and water in food production. His support for ventures in alternative proteins and new food technologies has also helped position Bühler as a partner of choice for both established food producers and startups.

Häfeli will inherit a business unit that is well-positioned but also facing significant shifts in global food markets. The demand for sustainable food production, the rise of alternative proteins, and continued pressure on efficiency in grain processing are reshaping priorities across the industry.

Having worked extensively within Bühler and later in the broader food sector, Häfeli is expected to bring both continuity and new perspective to the role. His previous leadership of Grain Quality & Supply demonstrated his ability to navigate complex technical and commercial challenges, while his experience at Bell Food Group provided insight into the operational realities of one of Europe’s major food businesses.

The company believes this combination will serve him well as Bühler continues to strengthen its role in providing technology solutions across the global food value chain.

The transition at Bühler reflects both a recognition of Wick’s legacy and confidence in Häfeli’s ability to lead Grains & Food into the future. While Wick moves into a new strategic role within the group, his contributions to shaping Bühler’s largest business will remain a reference point for the company.

For Häfeli, the appointment represents both a homecoming and a new challenge. Returning to the company where he began his career, he will now oversee a business area that has become central to Bühler’s identity and global reach.

With the transition set for January 2026, Bühler has a clear leadership path in place for its Grains & Food division, underlining the company’s focus on stability and long-term growth.