Sika Names Philipp Irniger Head Construction and Appoints Jochen Werling to Drive Group-Wide Digital Transformation

Sika Names Philipp Irniger Head Construction and Appoints Jochen Werling to Drive Group-Wide Digital Transformation

(IN BRIEF) Sika has appointed Philipp Irniger as Head Construction and Member of Group Management, effective June 1, 2026. He succeeds Ivo Schädler, who will take early retirement at the end of March 2027 after more than 30 years with the company. Irniger joined Sika in 2007 and has built broad international management experience through operational roles in growth markets such as Southeast Asia, India and China, as well as through corporate functions. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Sika Switzerland and previously contributed to the strategic development of the distribution business and Target Market Waterproofing. In a separate organizational move, Sika has created the new role of Chief Digital & Information Officer, appointing Jochen Werling to the position from June 1, 2026. The role will bring together IT, data, processes and digital business models to support the Group-wide implementation of Sika’s Fast Forward program and accelerate digital transformation across the company.

(PRESS RELEASE) BAAR, 2-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Sika has appointed Philipp Irniger as Head Construction and Member of Group Management, while also creating a new Chief Digital & Information Officer role to strengthen the Group’s digital transformation agenda. The leadership changes support Sika’s continued focus on global construction growth and the accelerated implementation of its strategic Fast Forward program.

Philipp Irniger joins Sika’s Group Management on June 1, 2026, and assumes responsibility for the company’s global construction business. He succeeds Ivo Schädler, who will take early retirement at the end of March 2027 after more than three decades with Sika.

Irniger has been with Sika since 2007 and brings extensive international leadership experience across both operational and corporate roles. His career has included assignments in high-growth Asian markets, including Southeast Asia, India and China, as well as responsibilities in several strategic business areas within the Group.

Most recently, Irniger served as General Manager of Sika Switzerland. Before that, he played a key role in advancing the strategic development of Sika’s distribution business and Target Market Waterproofing. His background combines market knowledge, technical expertise and strategic management experience, positioning him to further develop Sika’s construction business worldwide.

A Swiss citizen, Irniger holds a degree in civil engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. His appointment reflects Sika’s focus on strengthening leadership in its core construction activities while continuing to expand its position in global markets.

Ivo Schädler leaves behind a long and successful career at Sika. Over more than 30 years, he held several international management positions and made an important contribution to the growth, international expansion and development of the company’s Construction business. Sika’s Board of Directors and Group Management expressed their appreciation for Schädler’s achievements and his lasting contribution to the company’s success.

Alongside the leadership change in Construction, Sika is also adjusting its corporate organization to place greater emphasis on digital transformation. Jochen Werling has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Digital & Information Officer, effective June 1, 2026.

The new role is designed to bring together key capabilities in IT, data, processes and digital business models under integrated Group-wide leadership. By creating this position, Sika aims to advance digitalization in a more coordinated and strategic way across the organization.

Werling will report directly to the CEO and will be responsible for helping drive global digital initiatives linked to the Fast Forward program. The appointment is intended to support Sika’s ambition to strengthen its digital leadership position in the industry and accelerate the development of technology-enabled business processes and services.

Through these organizational changes, Sika is aligning its leadership structure with two major priorities: expanding its global construction business and deepening digital transformation across the Group.

SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. In 2025, Sika’s 33,700 employees generated annual sales of CHF 11.20 billion.

Media Contact:

Dominik Slappnig
Corporate Communications &
Investor Relations
+41 58 436 68 21
slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com

SOURCE: SIKA