Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung Steps Down Early

Background: Career Path of a Bosch Manager

The 58-year-old took over as CEO of the foundation-owned group at the beginning of 2022. Only last year, his contract had reportedly been extended until 2031. Hartung had begun his career at Bosch back in 2004 in what was then the home appliances division, where he rose through several positions. Via the consulting firm Roland Berger, Walter Bau, Smartrac and back to Roland Berger, the doctor of economics returned to Bosch in 2018 – directly onto the management board. According to the release, he had been a member of the management board since 1 January 2013.

Before moving into industry, Hartung had worked, among other things, as a consultant at McKinsey. His career with the Swabians once began as a trainee. Over more than two decades at Bosch, he shaped the strategic direction of the foundation-owned group during a period of profound upheaval – from the transformation of the automotive division to the expansion of new business areas.

Economic Situation of the Group

The outgoing manager leaves behind a company under pressure. In the past financial year, Bosch had to book an after-tax loss of 363 million euros for the first time since 2009, according to the group. Revenue rose only slightly in 2025, to 91 billion euros. At the same time, ongoing programmes amounted to 2.7 billion euros, primarily in the form of provisions.

In the supplier division alone, Bosch plans to cut up to 22,000 jobs in the coming years, according to the company. This makes the group's restructuring one of the biggest challenges of the years ahead – and one of the central tasks facing its designated successor.

The Designated Successor Christian Fischer

Christian Fischer, formerly deputy CEO and a member of the management board since 2018, is to take over as CEO on 1 July. Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, as the owner of the company, announced the change on Friday. This means the personnel handover is taking place sooner than originally expected.

The news was broadcast on 26 June 2026 on Deutschlandfunk and triggered discussions in the business press about the timing and reasons for the change. Observers also see the move as a signal for an accelerated restructuring of the company.

With Hartung's departure, the foundation-owned group loses a manager who had navigated the traditional company through the electric mobility transition, chip shortages and economic weakness. He will be succeeded by Fischer, who has already helped shape the company's transformation from within the management board.

Open Questions on the Succession

The ownership structure – with Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG holding the shares – means that the group's management is not subject to the fluctuations of listed companies. Nonetheless, the CEO post at the globally active technology and supplier group is considered one of the most influential in German industry.

It initially remained unclear what plans Hartung is pursuing after his departure. The company also provided no further details on Friday regarding the terms of the contract termination.

With regard to the upcoming change, company representatives emphasised that continuity of strategy should be maintained. The key major topics – electric mobility, hydrogen, AI-supported manufacturing and the restructuring of automotive supply – remain on the agenda.