Feintool Taps Turnaround Expert as CFO Amid Market Turmoil

LYSS, SWITZERLAND – January 23, 2026 – Feintool International Holding AG has appointed veteran financial executive Marc Hundsdorf as its new Chief Financial Officer, a strategic move that signals a determined effort to navigate severe market headwinds and stabilize the company's financial footing. Hundsdorf is set to take the financial helm on March 1, 2026, succeeding Thomas Erne, who is departing after a tenure of less than two years.

The appointment comes as the Swiss technology and market leader grapples with a significant downturn, particularly in the European electric vehicle (EV) sector. Hundsdorf, known for his experience in complex financial restructuring and capital markets, appears to be the answer to the challenges that defined his predecessor's time at the company.

A New Financial Architect for a Challenging Era

Marc Hundsdorf, 57, arrives at Feintool with a formidable resume tailored for turbulent times. His track record includes extensive management experience as both CFO and CEO within the automotive supplier industry, giving him a deep understanding of the ecosystem in which Feintool operates. Most notably, he successfully steered motorhome manufacturer Knaus Tabbert through its initial public offering (IPO), a process that requires rigorous financial discipline and strategic foresight. Following that, he served as CFO for battery company VARTA, where he was instrumental in the company's critical refinancing efforts during a period of significant financial distress.

This background in both growth-oriented capital raises and defensive financial stabilization makes him a uniquely qualified choice for Feintool's current situation. The company's board has made its conviction clear. “The Board of Directors is convinced that Marc Hundsdorf, with his experience in the automotive and industrial sectors, is the right choice for the financial management of the company,” stated Norbert Indlekofer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the official announcement.

Hundsdorf's dual expertise in economics and engineering further positions him to understand not just the balance sheet, but the underlying technologies and production processes that drive Feintool's business in electrolamination stamping, fineblanking, and forming. This combination is crucial for a company whose strategy is deeply intertwined with engineering-heavy megatrends in renewable energy and electromobility.

Navigating a Turbulent European Market

Hundsdorf's appointment is not a routine leadership change; it is a direct response to a deteriorating financial landscape. Feintool has been candid about its recent performance, describing the 2024 fiscal year as a “difficult and challenging market environment.” Consolidated sales slumped by 15.1% to CHF 719.6 million, a significant drop from the CHF 847.7 million reported in the previous year.

More concerning is the sharp rise in the company's debt. Net debt climbed from CHF 24.2 million at the end of 2023 to CHF 42.7 million by the end of 2024. The trend accelerated into the first half of 2025, with net debt nearly doubling to CHF 80.1 million by June 30. This was accompanied by a negative free cash flow of CHF -17.7 million for the period.

The primary driver of this downturn has been the European market. Sales in the region, Feintool's largest, plummeted by 17.5% in the first half of 2025 compared to the prior year. The company attributed this directly to a “massive fall in demand for laminated electrical components for electric vehicles.” Overcapacity in the automotive industry led major clients to postpone, reduce, or cancel key e-vehicle programs for which Feintool was a key supplier. This slowdown has forced the company to launch restructuring programs in Europe and implement a group-wide efficiency and growth program, “Level-up 2026!”, to lower its break-even point and restore financial stability.

A Short Tenure and a Swift Succession

The executive changeover also highlights the intensity of the recent pressures. Thomas Erne, who Hundsdorf will replace, joined Feintool as CFO on April 1, 2024. His departure on March 1, 2026, marks a tenure of just under two years. The board expressed its sincere thanks to Erne for his commitment, noting he “significantly shaped the company during a challenging period and sustainably advanced its further development.”

Erne's departure, stated as being at his own request, concludes a period defined by confronting the very market challenges his successor is now tasked with resolving. The transition timeline itself is noteworthy. The announcement on January 23 for a March 1 start date provides a relatively brief handover period, suggesting a sense of urgency from the board and majority shareholder, the Artemis Group, to install new leadership with a specific skillset to execute the company's turnaround strategy without delay.

This swift succession underscores the board's proactive stance in addressing the financial performance issues and its belief that Hundsdorf's specific expertise is needed immediately to pilot the “Level-up 2026!” program and navigate the ongoing restructuring efforts in Europe.

Strategic Imperatives and Future Outlook

Despite the acute challenges, Feintool's long-term strategy remains anchored to the powerful megatrends of renewable energy and electromobility. The company manufactures high-precision steel parts essential for electric motors, energy infrastructure, and other high-end industrial applications. While the European EV market has proven more volatile than anticipated, the global shift away from combustion engines continues, and Feintool's technology remains highly relevant.

Hundsdorf's arrival could signal a multi-faceted approach to securing this future. His experience in refinancing at VARTA is directly applicable to managing Feintool's rising debt and optimizing its capital structure. Furthermore, his success in taking Knaus Tabbert public provides Feintool with a leader well-versed in the demands of capital markets. While no such plans have been announced, this expertise offers strategic flexibility for future financing or corporate structuring as the company positions itself for the next phase of growth.

As majority owner, the Artemis Group's influence in this strategic appointment is implicit. The selection of a CFO with a proven ability to both restructure finances and unlock market value aligns with a long-term investor's goal of ensuring resilience and maximizing potential. All eyes in the automotive and industrial sectors will now be on Marc Hundsdorf as he takes the financial controls, tasked with steering Feintool through the current storm and toward the promising, if distant, horizon of a fully electrified and sustainable industrial future.