Bechtle Supervisory Board extends appointment of COO Michael Guschlbauer ahead of schedule

Third extension of term for Michael Guschlbauer
Experience and continuity on the Executive Board

Neckarsulm, 07 February 2024 – Bechtle AG’s Supervisory Board has reappointed Michael Guschlbauer, COO, IT System House & Managed Services, ahead of schedule, extending his term of office until 31 December 2028. With Michael Guschlbauer and CEO Dr Thomas Olemotz both serving on the Bechtle AG Executive Board since 2009, the Supervisory Board is thus confirming the balance of experience and fresh vigour introduced with the first-time appointment of Konstantin Ebert on 01 January 2024 and subsequent expansion of the board to four people through the appointment of Antje Leminsky on 01 February 2024. “I am very pleased that, after 15 years of perfect stability, we have been able to fill recent vacancies while at the same time retaining valuable experience on the board. Both are testament to the company and its consistent focus on a successful future,” says Klaus Winkler, Chair of the Bechtle AG Supervisory Board.

His reappointment as COO is the third contract extension in a row for Michael Guschlbauer, age 59, who commenced his career at Bechtle in January 2008 as Executive Vice President in charge of managed services before joining the Executive Board a year later, overseeing the IT System House & Managed Services segment. “I am very grateful to the Supervisory Board for the trust placed in me. I’m looking forward to remaining with Bechtle on its unique path of success together with our excellent team, while continuing work on our own transformation to stay the future-first IT partner of choice for our customers,” says Michael Guschlbauer.

A successful track record

Under his leadership, Germany’s largest IT system house has successfully evolved into an IT solution provider and considerably strengthened its service business, including the development of a multi-cloud platform backed by the company’s own Service Factory, and a continuous expansion of its solution portfolio, most recently through the addition of AI applications. Michael Guschlbauer’s tenure has also been the backdrop for significant business growth among both public sector and Bechtle’s more traditional SME accounts, as well as an increasingly marked venture into international project business with major accounts. The System House & Managed Services segment has seen dramatic growth under his leadership—not least through 44 acquisitions in the DACH region—and a more than fivefold increase in business volume since his taking office. In the same period, the number of employees has grown from 3,450 to 11,886 people—around 80 per cent of Bechtle’s total workforce.

Bechtle AG’s Executive Board consists of CEO Dr Thomas Olemotz, as well as COOs Konstantin Ebert, Michael Guschlbauer and Antje Leminsky.