Jungheinrich's Profits Plummet 50% as Leadership Shake-Up Deepens Crisis
Jungheinrich, the industrial truck manufacturer, has faced a sharp decline in financial performance this year. The company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell by half in the first quarter compared to 2023. At the same time, leadership changes have reshaped its executive board. The company’s struggles come amid intense competition and operational disruptions. A strike at its Lüneburg plant added to the pressure, pushing EBIT down significantly. These challenges have also affected investor confidence, with Jungheinrich’s market value dropping nearly 30% since late 2025 to around €2.6 billion.
The family of founder Friedrich Jungheinrich still holds a controlling stake. Their 54 million voting ordinary shares—53% of the total—are split equally between the founder’s two daughters. The remaining 45 million non-voting preferred shares trade publicly on the MDAX.
Leadership shifts have followed the financial downturn. Heike Wulff, who joined the board in early 2026, will leave before her contract’s original end date of May 1, 2027. Her early departure means her executive mandate will not be renewed. In response, CEO Lars Brzoska will take over financial operations on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found. Jungheinrich now faces the task of stabilising its financial performance while managing leadership changes. The company’s majority ownership remains with the founding family, but market pressures and internal disruptions continue to weigh on its outlook. Brzoska’s temporary oversight of finance will be key as the firm searches for a long-term solution.
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