The Supervisory Board of Cherry SE has unanimously appointed Rogier Volmer as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Management Board member effective January 1, 2026. Current CEO Oliver Kaltner will leave the Management Board at his own request upon the expiration of his current term on December 31, 2025, but will continue to provide advisory support for the company's merger and acquisition efforts.
This leadership transition comes at what company officials describe as a moment of significant strategic opportunity for Cherry SE, a global manufacturer of computer input devices and digital health solutions. Marcel Stolk, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated that Volmer's appointment will continue the company's strong focus on revenue and earnings growth. "Cherry continues to be a market leader in excellence and innovation in both peripherals and digital health offerings," Stolk said.
Volmer brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience to the role, including senior positions at Haier Europe, Trust International, and Logitech. At Haier, he most recently led the DACH & Benelux region, delivering a successful turnaround and significant EBIT improvement. As CEO of Trust, he drove a full commercial and organizational transformation that achieved sustained double-digit growth. During his tenure at Logitech, he held multiple General Manager roles across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, consistently delivering strong revenue and profit performance.
"I am honored to take on the leadership of Cherry at a moment of significant strategic opportunity," Volmer remarked. "With a strong brand and a dedicated team, Cherry is well positioned to advance its role in gaming, hybrid-work technology, and digital health. I look forward to building on the foundation created by Oliver Kaltner and working with the organization to deliver sustainable performance and continued innovation."
The company expressed gratitude to outgoing CEO Oliver Kaltner for his leadership during challenging years. Stolk commented, "On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Oliver Kaltner for his exceptional leadership over the past challenging years. Under his guidance, significant structural measures were successfully implemented both domestically and internationally, the company's operational profile was sharpened, and the organization was aligned for the next stages of development."
Kaltner reflected on his tenure, stating, "After three very intense years, marked by tough restructuring measures in challenging waters, the time is right for me to step down. Together with an exceptionally dedicated team, we have re-shaped Cherry's true potential, so this iconic brand will be given a positive future direction." He expressed gratitude to the global Cherry team, fellow board members, the Supervisory Board, business partners, and shareholders, and noted his continued involvement as a Senior Advisor supporting M&A processes.
For HR vendors, this leadership change at Cherry SE signals potential shifts in procurement strategies, partnership opportunities, and market focus areas. Volmer's extensive background in consumer electronics and digital transformation suggests Cherry may accelerate its digital health initiatives and hybrid-work technology offerings, creating new avenues for HR technology providers. The emphasis on continued M&A activity under Kaltner's advisory role indicates potential market consolidation that could reshape competitive landscapes. Vendors serving the gaming, workplace technology, and wellness sectors should monitor Cherry's strategic direction under new leadership, as their product development and partnership priorities may evolve to align with Volmer's proven track record in commercial transformation and international market expansion. The transition represents both continuity in Cherry's market leadership and potential innovation in how human resource technology integrates with peripheral devices and digital health solutions.
