Voith Paper has announced a major leadership transition within its business division. Effective October 1, 2026, Tero Kokko will assume the role of President & CEO of Voith Paper, succeeding Andreas Endters, who will leave the company at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026, after more than 35 years with the Group. The decision by Endters has been communicated to shareholders and Group management and has been mutually accepted. During his long tenure at Voith, he held several international leadership positions and played a key role in shaping Voith Paper into one of the world’s leading technology partners for the paper industry. “Over the past 35 years, Voith has been much more than an employer, but the time has come to hand over responsibility and begin a new chapter,” Endters said, emphasizing the division’s strong technological base and innovative culture, which he believes will support its continued success.
His designated successor, Tero Kokko, currently heads the global pulp business area at the Finnish technology company Valmet. With more than 20 years of international experience in strategy, transformation, and industrial development, Kokko brings extensive expertise in driving change and growth within the pulp and paper sector.
“The paper industry is undergoing a significant global transformation,” Kokko said, highlighting his intention to further strengthen customer collaboration and build on Voith Paper’s strong technological foundation.
Dirk Hoke, President & CEO of the Voith Group, stated that Voith Paper has “a strong technological foundation and significant opportunities ahead,” stressing the Group’s goal of further aligning the business with customer and market needs, with a strong focus on innovation and competitiveness.
The shareholders’ committee also expressed its appreciation for Endters’ long-standing contribution and confidence in the appointment of Kokko, highlighting his international experience at a time of profound industry transformation.
The leadership transition comes amid ongoing economic pressure and rapid technological change in the global paper industry. Voith aims to address these challenges through continued portfolio development, targeted investments, and digital solutions designed to enhance efficiency, availability, and sustainability in paper production.