Industrial gases giant Messer has appointed Sven Wildner as its new Chief Financial Officer, while also reshuffling its leadership team in Asia as the company prepares for the retirement of longtime executive Werner Hickel.

 

Wildner formally took over as CFO on September 1, succeeding Helmut Kaschenz, who stepped down at his own request. Kaschenz joined Messer in 2021 as Chief Strategy Officer and became CFO in January 2022.

 

Messer, the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company, said Wildner brings more than two decades of finance leadership experience, including extensive international work in finance, governance and executive management.

 

Wildner spent his early career at Siemens, holding senior finance roles from 1999 to 2011 and gaining experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and internal audit. He later held international leadership positions in the United States and Europe.

 

From 2012 until 2026, Wildner was Group CFO and a member of the Executive Board at Omya AG, a global family-owned company operating in industrial minerals and chemical distribution.

 

“I am very pleased to welcome Sven Wildner as Messer’s new CFO. With his impressive international experience and expertise, as well as his deep understanding of the requirements of globally active family-owned companies, he brings the ideal qualifications for this important role. 

 

"Sven Wildner will support us in continuing to grow profitably and in further developing our finance organization in a targeted manner to meet the challenges of an increasingly dynamic business environment,” says Peter Mohnen, who has served as CEO of Messer since July.

 

Messer is also preparing for a major change in its Asian leadership.

 

Werner Hickel will retire on November 15, 2026, when his contract expires, after more than 30 years with the company. His tenure included 13 years as CEO of Messer China and three years on Messer’s Executive Board as COO Asia.

 

Hickel played a central role in building Messer’s business in China, which the company describes as a cornerstone of its global success. He also led strategic expansion across Southeast Asia, broadening Messer’s regional presence and opening new growth opportunities.

 

“The enduring success of Werner Hickel’s work is reflected not only in the strong business performance but also in the resilient organizational and leadership culture he helped shape. Werner’s contributions have had a lasting impact on our company, and his legacy will continue to shape our future in Asia,” emphasizes Stefan Messer, shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

 

Marc Wachter, CEO of Messer China since July 2024, took charge of the broader Asian business on August 1, 2026. He will retain his role as CEO of Messer China while serving as COO Asia and reporting directly to CEO Peter Mohnen.

 

Messer said Wachter’s priorities will include strengthening the company’s long-term position in Asia and pursuing the region’s growth potential.

 

Wachter began his career at Messer more than 20 years ago and has held multiple leadership positions, including managing director roles at Messer subsidiaries and regional management responsibilities.

 

The appointments mark a significant leadership transition for Messer as the company combines a new finance chief at the global level with a new generation of leadership in its Asian operations.