Munksjö appoints Manfred Bracher as CEO

With the company entering its next growth phase as the first manufacturer solely dedicated to decor paper, Manfred will succeed current CEO Tomas Wulkan, who has led Munksjö since 2018, first as a division of Ahlstrom-Munksjo and most recently as an independent company. Tomas will support Manfred during 2023 to ensure a smooth CEO transition and retire at the end of the year.

Manfred Bracher has a long experience in specialty materials and coating business, having most recently served as COO of Surteco and, before that, as Executive Vice President of Hygiene & Industrial of RKW and Managing Director of Clopay Europe. The Austrian executive is an Engineer and holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics and Business Management from the University of Leoben.

Tomas Wulkan has been instrumental in leading the spinoff process where Munksjö Paper AB became an independent company majority owned by Ahlström Capital. Based on his deep industrial and commercial understanding, he provided Munksjö with a strategic direction and strengthened the company as a global leader in our industry. Tomas’ career spans over 30 years in fiber-based materials, including long tenures at SCA, Essity and Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

Jukka Moisio, Chairman of the Board of Directors, says: "The Board is confident with the appointment of Manfred. Munksjö's long experience in the sector and the advances resulting from Tomas' contribution in recent years, combined with Manfred's expertise and leadership qualities, will allow the company to continue to strengthen and stand out as the customers' preferred supplier and keep advancing toward its strategic goals of innovation and sustainability."

“I am pleased to join Munksjö, a leader in decor paper, which has a strong reputation in the industry for its high-quality products and superior paper solutions. With the long history in paper manufacturing, a highly experienced team, and a strong operational footprint, Munksjö is well positioned to expand the business with its customers further and strengthen the global leadership position in our industry”, comments Manfred Bracher.

Tomas Wulkan: “I first got acquainted with Manfred when he was the CEO of Clopay Europe, where he was an important business partner to my previous employer SCA. More recently I have met him as an appreciated customer contact at Surteco, one of our top customers at Munksjö. Knowing Manfred from the past, I’m confident that Munksjö will continue to develop and reach new performance levels under his leadership. I wish him all the best in his new appointment”.