Vetropack appoints Lukas Burkhardt to succeed Johann Reiter as CEO in 2026

Swiss glass packaging manufacturer Vetropack Group has selected industry executive Lukas Burkhardt to become chief executive officer effective 1 January 2026. He will take over from Johann Reiter, who will retire after eight years at the helm of the family-owned company.

Burkhardt joins Vetropack after serving on the management board of Germany-based Gerresheimer since 2018, where he directed the firm’s primary packaging glass division. His career also includes operational posts at Audi in Germany and at what is now Autoneum, with a particular focus on Asian production sites. In 2015 he became chief operating officer at Franke Group, overseeing manufacturing at more than 30 facilities in addition to global logistics, procurement and engineering.

According to Vetropack’s board of directors, Burkhardt was chosen because of his detailed knowledge of the container-glass sector and his experience managing large international supply chains. The company expects him to continue the strategic realignment launched under Reiter while introducing new ideas gained from his previous roles.

Leadership transition

Reiter assumed the top position in 2018 after nearly three decades with the group. During his tenure, Vetropack rolled out thermally tempered lightweight glass bottles, a product designed to reduce material use and lower transportation emissions. He also introduced the Strategy 2030+ programme, which placed greater emphasis on international expansion, process optimisation and sustainability targets.

Under the plan, Vetropack invested in modernising furnaces, digitalising production lines and broadening its product mix to include specialised containers for food, beverage and pharmaceutical customers. The board credited Reiter with accelerating the company’s presence in Central and Eastern Europe and strengthening its research capabilities.

When the handover is completed at the start of 2026, Reiter will step down from all executive duties. The company has not announced any further changes to the management board.

Profile of the incoming CEO

Burkhardt holds degrees in engineering and business administration and began his career in the automotive sector. At Audi he worked on process efficiency projects, later moving to the supplier side at the former Rieter Automotive Group. His responsibilities expanded to Asian operations, giving him experience in scaling manufacturing networks across multiple regulatory environments.

After joining Franke Group in 2015, he managed production, logistics and procurement activities spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. His tenure included the consolidation of several facilities and the introduction of data-driven performance metrics. Three years later he moved to Gerresheimer, where he led growth initiatives in premium glass vials and containers for the healthcare market.

Imagem: financial planning 50

In internal communications, Burkhardt stated that Vetropack’s combination of family ownership, technical know-how and international footprint provides a strong foundation for future growth even amid a challenging economic climate. He indicated that further innovation in lightweight glass and energy-efficient furnaces will remain priorities.

Vetropack at a glance

Headquartered in Bülach, Switzerland, Vetropack produces glass containers for the beverage and food industries at sites across Europe, including plants in Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Italy. The group employs several thousand people and serves both multinational corporations and regional brands.

The company is privately controlled by the Cornaz family, which has held a majority stake since Vetropack’s founding in 1911. It reports its financial results in Swiss francs and posts annual revenues exceeding CHF 700 million.

Glass packaging continues to benefit from consumer demand for recyclable materials. Industry data cited by the European Container Glass Federation show that glass containers have an average recycling rate above 75 percent in the European Union, bolstering their position as a preferred option for circular-economy strategies.

With Burkhardt’s appointment, Vetropack’s board aims to combine continuity in sustainability initiatives with fresh perspectives on digitalisation and market diversification. The company has indicated that further details of its medium-term objectives will be presented during the first half of 2026.

Crédito da imagem: Vetropack Group