MAHLE has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Macht as the new Chairman of its Supervisory Board, effective January 1, 2026. The decision follows the retirement of Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker, who steps down after a decade as Chairman and nearly 30 years with the company.
The leadership transition was confirmed during the Supervisory Board meeting held on September 25, 2025. Dr. Macht, who has been a member of MAHLE’s Supervisory Board since 2020, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as CEO of Porsche AG and Board Member at Volkswagen AG.
Professor Junker joined MAHLE in 1996 as a Management Board member and became CEO just six months later. Under his leadership, MAHLE evolved into a global technology leader, with sales growing more than eightfold to €11.5 billion. His tenure was marked by strategic growth, including the pivotal acquisition of the Behr Group.
“Following the successful reorganization, I believe the group is well-positioned for the future with its MAHLE 2030+ strategy and clearly defined product portfolio,” stated Junker upon announcing his departure.
Dr. Macht, a Stuttgart native and mechanical engineer, began his automotive career at Porsche in 1991. He held various leadership roles before joining Porsche’s Board of Management in 1998 and becoming CEO in 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he served on the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG.
His appointment as Chairman follows a planned succession process, guided over recent months by Junker. MAHLE CEO Arnd Franz praised Junker for his “extraordinary passion and dedication” over more than 30 years with the company, especially in leading its recent transformation.
During Junker’s tenure, MAHLE shaped its strategic direction with a focus on electrification, thermal management, and sustainable internal combustion engines. The Thermal and Fluid Systems Business Unit, significantly strengthened by the acquisition of Behr, now accounts for over 50 percent of the company’s consolidated sales.
This leadership transition comes as MAHLE continues to advance its MAHLE 2030+ strategy, navigating the industry’s ongoing shift toward electrification and sustainability.
