Austria, Vienna: On 30 June 2025, KANSAI HELIOS announced a leadership change to support its next phase of growth following recent acquisitions. Bastian Krauss, previously Executive Vice President and Executive Director, will assume the role of President and Executive Director of the KANSAI HELIOS Group effective 1 July 2025.
Over the past years, KANSAI HELIOS has reached key milestones that have reinforced its position in the global coatings industry and laid a strong foundation for further development. As a part of Kansai Paint Group since 2017, the company successfully completed important acquisitions, most notably the integration of the WEILBURGER Coatings Group in 2024. These steps have expanded the group´s product portfolio, boosted their technological capabilities, and extended their global footprint, particularly in the industrial coatings sector.
With a long-term vision that includes achieving top-tier performance by 2030 and enhancing collaboration within the Kansai Paint Group, KANSAI HELIOS is entering a new chapter focused on consolidation, integration and growth.
In line with this strategic shift, the Group Management Board is being restructured. Current President and Executive Director Dietmar Jost and Executive Director Yoshihiro Tanaka will transition to global leadership roles within the Kansai Paint Group, heading the strategic ACE (Agriculture, Construction, Earthmoving Machinery) and Railway segments. Jost will serve as Global Head, while Tanaka takes on the role of Global Business Director.
Bastian Krauss, who has been instrumental in KANSAI HELIOS’ development and has served as Executive Vice President and Executive Director, will now lead the company as its new President and Executive Director. He will be joined by Mitsuru Masunaga and Frank Gläser, who will continue in their existing executive roles.
Commenting on the leadership changes, Krauss stated: “This change in leadership underscores KANSAI HELIOS’ commitment to strengthening its operations and delivering sustainable value to its stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence going forward. The new phase we are now entering as a company group is aimed at optimising our operating business, leveraging synergies from our acquisitions, strengthening our commitment to sustainability and innovation and at the same time further expanding our market positions.”
Source: KANSAI HELIOS
