German consumer goods giant Henkel, which has its U.S. headquarters in Rocky Hill and several divisions in Stamford, has named a new CEO.
Carsten Knobel succeeds Hans Van Bylen, who had been CEO for the past four years. Knobel has been chief financial officer since 2012, but has worked for Henkel since 1995.
The move, effective Jan. 1, follows the company posting its first sales decline in a decade, which led it to cut its earnings outlook, according to Reuters.
Henkel’s announcement included a statement from Van Bylen citing personal reasons for his departure.
“After about 35 years with Henkel, I have decided that with the expiration of my contract next year it is now the right time to make an orderly change at the top of the company,” Van Bylen said. “For personal reasons, I will not seek a further term as chairman of the management board.”
While the 2008 relocation of it’s U.S. headquarters from Pennsylvania to Rocky Hill preceded Van Bylen’s CEO tenure, Henkel significantly significantly expanded its Connecticut presence during his four years.
That includes the acquisition of Wilton-based Sun Products, which boosted Henkel’s laundry and homecare market share in the U.S., and the relocation of its consumer goods headquarters to Stamford, backed by a $20 million state loan.
