VAT Group AG has appointed Urs Gantner (53), currently EVP of VAT's Semiconductor Solutions Group, as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024. Urs Gantner succeeds Mike Allison (60) who in February announced his decision to step down as CEO by the end of the business year 2023. Urs Gantner, who holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), joined VAT in 2004 as a product manager for customized transfer valve solutions.

He was named head of the Semiconductor business unit in 2015, helping to grow the business more than twice as fast as the overall market while improving its operational structure and performance by taking advantage of the company's growing global footprint. Mr. Gantner also played a central role in the development and growth of VAT's manufacturing facility in Malaysia, including the localization of engineering and product management. In addition, he has led the successful expansion of VAT's valves business into profitable adjacent product markets.

In August of 2022, Mr. Gantner was appointed to the VAT Group Executive Committee as Executive Vice-President, Semiconductor Solutions Group.