WashTec AG, the Augsburg-based provider of carwash solutions, is accelerating its strategic transformation into an international solutions and services provider while streamlining its management structure, the company announced on September 14, 2026. The move comes as business and earnings performance fell short of expectations, prompting the company to simplify decision-making and strengthen operational control.
The Supervisory Board has extended the contract of CEO Michael Drolshagen until the end of April 2030, a clear signal of continuity and confidence in the company’s strategic direction. The Management Board will now consist of two members: Drolshagen as CEO and Andreas Pabst as CFO. The areas previously overseen by the Chief Sales Officer will be reorganised and integrated more closely into overall operational responsibility, aiming for more efficient collaboration across functions and regions.
As part of this reorganisation, Arthur Wessels, a long-standing manager and proven industry expert within the WashTec Group, is taking on global responsibility for sales and marketing. This is expected to strengthen the company’s international market presence and drive a consistent focus on customer-oriented solutions and service offerings. Middle management structures have also been adjusted and streamlined.
The changes affect WashTec’s outlook for the 2026 fiscal year. The company now anticipates revenue growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range, driven mainly by the Equipment and Service business lines, while the Consumables business line is not yet meeting expectations. Efficiency programs will continue, but delays from the first half of the year—particularly regarding the relocation of production and optimisation of installation costs—cannot be made up in the current fiscal year. These will contribute positively to earnings from the following year onwards. The organisational changes will also negatively impact revenues in 2026 by a single-digit million euro amount.
Consequently, WashTec has revised its 2026 earnings guidance. The company now expects a declining EBIT margin of between 8% and 9%, compared to the previous expectation of an increase in EBIT disproportionately higher than revenue growth. ROCE is now expected to be below the prior year’s level, rather than an increase of 0.5 to 2.0 percentage points.
The Management Board is convinced that the organisational changes will accelerate strategy implementation with optimal capital allocation. Clear lines of responsibility, short decision-making processes, and a consistent customer-centric approach are expected to strengthen the company’s ability to capitalise on opportunities and implement changes successfully. This focus is anticipated to translate into sustainable growth and improved profitability, enabling WashTec to achieve its mid- and long-term goals.
WashTec Group employs around 1,850 people worldwide and is present with own subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and Other segments. It is also represented by independent distributors in around 80 countries. For more information, visit the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
