Leadership Transition at STARK Deutschland as Marc Baumgartner Named CEO from 2026

Leadership Transition at STARK Deutschland as Marc Baumgartner Named CEO from 2026

(IN BRIEF) STARK Deutschland has appointed Dr. Marc Baumgartner as its new CEO, effective 1 January 2026, as part of a planned leadership transition. Dr. Baumgartner, who joined the company in early 2025 as Chief Sales Officer for the generalist business, brings more than 20 years of industry experience and has played a key role in driving strategic and organisational transformation. He succeeds Michael Knüppel, who will become Senior Executive Advisor for STARK Group after leading the company through a period of expansion, brand consolidation and resilience during challenging market conditions. The change reflects both continuity and renewal as STARK Deutschland prepares for its next phase of development.

(PRESS RELEASE) FREDERIKSBERG, 16-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — STARK Deutschland has announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Dr. Marc Baumgartner as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026. The decision was made by the company’s Supervisory Board, with Dr. Baumgartner set to succeed Michael Knüppel, who will move into the role of Senior Executive Advisor for STARK Group.

Dr. Baumgartner joined STARK Deutschland in February 2025 as Chief Sales Officer for the generalist (GBM) business and brings more than two decades of industry experience. His background includes senior leadership positions at companies such as Würth and Building Materials Switzerland. Since joining STARK Deutschland, he has overseen the generalist brands Raab Karcher and Keramundo and has played a central role in advancing a transformation agenda focused on small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the renovation, maintenance and improvement market.

During his tenure as CSO, Dr. Baumgartner contributed to shaping the recent strategic direction of the business, supporting organisational development and reinforcing a customer-focused approach. His appointment as CEO is positioned as part of a broader generational change in the leadership of STARK Deutschland, reflecting the company’s long-term ambitions in a challenging market environment.

Michael Knüppel, who has served as CEO since January 2021, will transition to a Senior Executive Advisor role at STARK Group. In this capacity, he will support group-level initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions and sourcing activities, while continuing to represent STARK Deutschland within German builders’ associations. Knüppel brings more than 40 years of experience in the building materials industry and an extensive professional network.

Under his leadership, STARK Deutschland expanded its geographic footprint into Austria, entered the roofing segment and strengthened its civil engineering business through targeted acquisitions. Despite recent market headwinds, the German and Austrian business unit increased net sales by approximately 25 percent during his tenure. The period also saw a major brand consolidation, reducing the portfolio from 15 brands to four core brands and establishing a more focused, sales-oriented management structure.

The leadership transition is intended to ensure continuity while positioning STARK Deutschland for future growth as market conditions improve, drawing on both fresh leadership perspectives and experienced strategic guidance at group level.

About STARK Group

STARK Group is a leading business-to-business merchant and distributor of heavy building materials for the construction industry in Europe, with a strategic focus on serving professional builders from its more than 1,050 branches. STARK Group has net sales of EUR 7.76 billion, serves a portfolio of 450,000 customers and collaborates with approx. 15,000 suppliers. Headquartered in Denmark, STARK Group employs more than 18,500 employees in Germany, Austria, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. The Group holds leading national or regional position in all markets. 

STARK Group holds SBTi-approved and validated net zero climate targets for 2050, aligned with the 1.5°C pathway of the Paris Agreement. The company is a proud signatory of the UN Global Compact and ranks among the top 1% of companies worldwide, earning EcoVadis’ Platinum rating for sustainability performance. 

Media contact:

Kaspar Bach Habersaat
Group Chief Communications Officer
+45 4092 8881
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaspar-bach-habersaat-9a5120/

SOURCE: STARK Group A/S