Kansai Helios: Change in management strengthens strategic focus

Bastian Krauss, a long-time member of the Kansai Helios Group in various positions, most recently as Executive Vice President and Executive Director, will assume the role of President and Executive Director of the Kansai Helios Group as of July 1, 2025. In recent years, Kansai Helios has set important milestones, strengthening its position in the global coatings industry while laying the foundation for further developments. The group of companies, which has been part of Kansai Paint since 2017, has successfully completed important acquisitions, culminating in the integration of the Weilburger Coatings Group last year. These strategic steps led to a broader product portfolio, the strengthening of technological expertise and the expansion of the global presence - particularly in the area of industrial coatings.

Focus at Kansai Helios on consolidation, integration and growth

In line with its long-term strategic goals, such as achieving a leading position by 2030 and promoting collaboration within the Kansai Paint Group, Kansai Helios is entering a new phase with an even stronger focus on consolidation, integration and growth. As part of this strategic focus, the Group Management Board will also be restructured. The current President and Executive Director, Dietmar Jost, and the current Executive Director, Yoshihiro Tanaka, will take on global leadership roles within the Kansai Paint Group. They will lead the strategic segments ACE Coatings (Agriculture, Construction, Earthmoving Machinery) and Rail Vehicle Coatings - Dietmar Jost as Global Head of the segment and Yoshihiro Tanaka as Global Business Director. Current Executive Vice President and Executive Director Bastian Krauss, who has contributed to the success story of Kansai Helios for many years, will become President and Executive Director of the Kansai Helios Group. Mitsuru Masunaga, Executive Vice President and Executive Director, and Frank Gläser, Executive Director, will remain in their roles on the newly formed Group Management Board together with Bastian Krauss.

Kansai Helios strengthens its business activities through a change in leadership

Bastian Krauss, new President and Executive Director of the Kansai Helios Group, assures: "This leadership change underlines Kansai Helios' commitment to strengthening its business activities and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders - with the aim of ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence going forward. The new phase we are now entering as a group is aimed at optimizing our operations, leveraging synergies from our acquisitions, strengthening our commitment to sustainability and innovation, while further expanding our market positions."