Voith Paper has announced a major leadership change, with President and CEO Andreas Endters set to leave the company at the end of the current fiscal year on September 30, 2026.

Effective October 1, Tero Kokko will join the Corporate Board of Management of Voith Group and assume the role of President and CEO of Voith Paper.

End of a 35-Year Career at Voith

Endters’ departure marks the conclusion of more than three decades with Voith, during which he held a variety of international leadership positions and played a significant role in expanding Voith Paper’s position as a leading technology supplier to the global paper industry.

In announcing his decision, Endters described the move as a carefully considered transition and expressed confidence in the company’s future growth prospects.

Valmet Executive to Lead Next Phase

Kokko joins Voith from Valmet, where he currently leads the company’s global pulp business.

He brings more than 20 years of international experience in:

• Business transformation
• Strategic development
• Industrial technology
• Global operations management
• Pulp and paper sector leadership

Kokko also holds a doctorate in Automation and Control Engineering from Tampere University of Technology.

Industry Faces Significant Transformation

Commenting on his appointment, Kokko highlighted the ongoing changes occurring across the global paper industry and emphasized his commitment to supporting customers while building upon Voith Paper’s established market position.

The leadership transition comes at a time when paper producers worldwide are investing in:

• Digitalization
• Automation
• Decarbonization technologies
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Advanced production systems

These trends continue to drive demand for innovative equipment, services and process technologies.

Strategic Importance for Voith

Voith Paper remains one of the largest suppliers of papermaking technologies, equipment and services globally.

As part of the broader Voith Group, the division provides solutions spanning:

• Paper machine technology
• Automation systems
• Digital services
• Process optimization
• Lifecycle support

Industry Outlook

The appointment of a senior executive from Valmet highlights the increasing importance of technological innovation and operational efficiency across the pulp and paper sector.

As mills continue modernizing production assets and pursuing sustainability goals, leadership experience in both pulp production and advanced industrial technologies is expected to play a critical role in shaping the industry’s next phase of development.

Source: Voith

Last Updated on 23/06/2026 by Jota Machinery