Former CompuGroup Medical executive Michael Rauch will serve as Interim CEO and is tasked with improving the group’s competitiveness within the European vending machine market
Cham-based Selecta Group has appointed Michael Rauch as Interim CEO after incumbent Christian Schmitz announced he would step down after five years in the role.
In a press release, the Swiss automated coffee and food vending operator highlighted Rauch’s extensive experience leading a pan-European business as key to the appointment. He joins Selecta Group from German medtech group CompuGroup Medical, where he served as Chief Financial Officer from August 2019 before taking on the CEO role in May 2023.
“On behalf of the Board of Selecta Group and the entire organisation, I would like to thank Christian for his leadership, dedication and contributions. We are confident that with Michael Rauch we have secured the services of an exceptional leader with first-hand experience of leading a pan-European business. Together with the significantly strengthened capital structure of the Group, we are confident that we can pursue growth opportunities, improve competitiveness and enhance service to customers across all markets,” said Marc van der Plas, Chairman, Selecta Group.
Selecta Group’s coffee and vending business operates over 365,000 machines across 16 European markets, primarily at transport hubs and workplaces, as well as educational and public buildings. Its coffee portfolio comprises the Starbucks We Proudly Serve, Nescafé, ZOÉGAS, Lavazza, Pelican Rouge and Change Please brands.
Rauch’s appointment comes two weeks after Selecta Group entered into a binding agreement with its key financial stakeholders to secure a comprehensive recapitalisation package. The transaction provides the automated coffee and food vending operator with €330m ($369m) to support future growth, while reducing the group’s outstanding debt by more than €1bn ($1.1bn).
