UZWIL, SWITZERLAND — Urs Bühler, the former fourth-generation owner and CEO of Bühler Group, passed away on Aug. 1. He was 82 years old.
Bühler, who first joined the family business in 1970, spent more than 50 years with the company in various domestic and international roles. In 1986, he was appointed CEO and, in 1990, became the sole owner of Bühler Group. He was also named chair of the board of directors in 1994.
During his tenure as the company’s leader, Bühler played a critical role in the business’s long-term development. This includes internationalization, Bühler Group’s entry into other technology fields such as extrusion, and the integration of modern information and automation technologies. His efforts transformed the mechanical engineering company into a global technology group accommodating an array of industries.
He also locked in the future of the more-than-a-century-old company by succession planning in 2001. Through this process, Bühler shifted operational responsibility to Calvin Grieder, who took the helm as board chair in 2014. That same year, he arranged ownership succession to fall to the Bühler Group’s fifth generation, his daughters Karin, Maya and Jeannine.
Bühler’s passions lied in equestrian sports, skiing and a holistic approach to the health of humans and animals. He will be remembered for his forward-thinking and innovative approach to life and business.
