OREANDA-NEWS. The Supervisory Board of Linde AG, in its meeting today, has appointed Dr Wolfgang Buchele (54) as member of the Executive Board effective 1 May 2014 and designated CEO. Following the annual general meeting on 20 May 2014, Buchele will take over the role as CEO from Prof. Dr Wolfgang Reitzle (64) whose appointment will end then due to reaching the age limit.

"With Dr Wolfgang Buchele we have found an excellent industry expert and internationally experienced manager. We are very pleased to have won him for Linde," said Dr Manfred Schneider, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Linde AG. "He is a skilled strategist and true insider of the chemical industry. With his wealth of experience he fulfills all prerequisites to further advance Linde in its successful development, excellently managed by Prof. Wolfgang Reitzle, and ensure a seamless and sustainable continuation on this path."

"It is a great honour for me to be given the opportunity and also challenge to take over the reigns of Linde," said Dr Wolfgang Buchele. "I have been following the rapid and very positive development of the company during the past years and now look forward to actively shaping its future."

Wolfgang Buchele is CEO of the Finnish chemical company Kemira since April 2012. From 2009 to 2011 he was CEO of the Hungarian chemical company BorsodChem. Before that Buchele was 20 years at BASF in various responsible positions.

In addition, the Supervisory Board has decided to extend the term of Sanjiv Lamba (49) by five years until March 2019. Lamba is member of the Executive Board since March 2011. He is responsible for the gases business in Greater China, South & East Asia and the South Pacific as well as for Asia Joint Ventures and the Electronic gases business.