Wilo extends CEO Hermes' mandate to 2031 amid AI-driven growth
The Supervisory Board of WILO SE has renewed Oliver Hermes as President & Global CEO through 31 December 2031. The decision signals continuity for a strategy built on energy-efficient pumps, AI-enabled monitoring, and digital lifecycle services.
Chairman Lars Roßner credited Hermes for building the Wilo Group sustainably and profitably over decades. Hermes, 55, has led the company since 2006 and also chairs the Wilo-Foundation's Board of Trustees, reinforcing the organization's long-term sustainability agenda.
Strategic focus: intelligent water solutions
Hermes called the renewal a strong sign of trust from employees and the Supervisory Board. Under his leadership, Wilo is sharpening its position as a multinational leader in sustainable and intelligent water solutions-prioritizing energy-efficient, digitally enabled pumping systems that match global demand.
Roßner highlighted Hermes' role in advancing AI, data analytics, and smart infrastructure to optimize water management systems. The message to customers and partners is direct: execution continuity and a clear product roadmap through 2031.
Leadership move: Tim Huetter appointed General Representative
Tim Huetter, Wilo's Global Vice President Strategy, has been appointed General Representative, reporting to Hermes. He will drive strategic projects and growth initiatives across the global organization.
Huetter, 35, joined Wilo in 2019 and has led group strategy since 2025. With industrial engineering studies in Germany, Japan, the USA, and France, he brings a broad international perspective that supports Wilo's global expansion and digital water strategy.
What this means for OEMs, utilities, and industrial operators
- Accelerated investment in energy-efficient pumps, including variable-speed systems.
- Deeper digital services and smart monitoring across water and wastewater assets.
- Continuity in R&D and AI-driven innovation pipelines.
- Greater stability for project planning, procurement, and lifecycle services.
AI and engineering context
Industry analysts point to AI, predictive maintenance, and connected infrastructure as key levers for efficiency and uptime in water systems. Wilo's current strategy fits this direction:
- Energy efficiency optimization across building, industrial, and municipal applications.
- Predictive maintenance using AI and condition monitoring.
- Digital lifecycle services that reduce downtime and total cost of ownership.
- Sustainability compliance and ESG alignment across projects and portfolios.
For a broader view of digital water practices and benchmarks, see the International Water Association's digital water resources here.
Africa market relevance
Leadership continuity is timely for African markets scaling water infrastructure and smart services. Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania are prioritizing high-reliability systems with measurable efficiency gains.
- Urban water systems and pressure management
- Industrial water infrastructure and process optimization
- Wastewater treatment and asset performance management
- Building services and smart city initiatives
These deployments benefit from digital monitoring, AI-driven service models, and energy-efficient pumping solutions that fit local sustainability goals and financing requirements.
Executive takeaways and near-term actions
- Update specifications to prioritize high-efficiency, variable-speed pumps paired with sensor suites.
- Pilot predictive maintenance on a high-criticality asset class; measure uptime and OPEX impacts within 90-120 days.
- Require open data standards and clear cybersecurity provisions in new contracts.
- Plan for workforce enablement: operations, engineering, and procurement teams need practical AI skills. A quick way to map relevant upskilling paths by role is available here.
Why it matters
Extending Hermes and elevating Huetter gives Wilo the leadership stability to deliver on AI-enabled growth in core and adjacent markets. Customers gain clearer visibility into product roadmaps, lifecycle services, and long-term support.
For executives, this lowers execution risk on major water and pumping projects and sets a steady course for digital transformation through 2031.
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