Kai Lie Stacher to Lead SAN Group into Next Phase of Growth as CEO

Founder and President Erich Erber expresses full trust in Kai Lie Stacher as the Austria-based company’s new chief executive officer.

The SAN Group, a globally operating biotechnology company devoted to animal health, plant health and planet health, is announcing the appointment of Kai Lie Stacher as CEO. Founder and former CEO Erich Erber will retain the role of president and focus less on operational matters in favor of innovation and charitable projects.

Having served as chief human resources officer (CHO) and member of the executive board since the founding of the company in 2020, Kai Lie brings a unique point of view to the leadership role she now enters.

“In HR, you really get to know a company from its most vital perspective: its people,” says Kai Lie. “The SAN Group’s philosophy – and Erich’s vision – begins and ends with people. The processes and operations that have made us so successful so fast, from R&D and production to product management and sales, rely on the passion and ingenuity of our professionals and partners. This will be my guiding light as we move into this exciting new stage of development.”

Her appointment comes at a time of turbulent macroeconomic challenges across the globe that directly impact biotech, animal husbandry and agriculture. Kai Lie and her team will concentrate on leading the company out of its initial start-up phase into a phase of growth and development in several key areas, including the expansion of its science-based portfolio of solutions, the further leveraging of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, and an increasing focus on sustainability with the goal of becoming net zero (scopes 1 and 2)  by 2027. SAN Group will also continue its initiatives in energy independence by investing more in alternative sources of energy such as solar and hydrogen.

Kai Lie is convinced that a great future awaits the company beyond new and better products and services in the pipeline. She believes in SAN Group’s ability to drive innovation, serve customers, grow as a company, and contribute to ecological and social sustainability simultaneously. “As if that weren’t enough,” she adds, “we can’t wait to move into our new, state-of-the-art headquarters in Herzogenburg this coming spring.”

Erich Erber to shift his focus on innovation projects

Founder and president of SAN Group Erich Erber has worked closely with Kai Lie for 13 years and expresses his full faith in her leadership abilities. “Not only does she have what it takes to manage the day-to-day challenges that come with being CEO, she knows our business through and through: our suppliers, our customers, and even their customers, too. I trust in Kai Lie and the whole team to lead the SAN Group to become the even more successful company that I’ve envisioned it to be.”

Erich also looks forward to his future role at SAN Group: “For my part, I’m not going anywhere. Beyond my role as president of the company, I will enjoy focusing on the innovation initiatives that matter to me the most, like green energy and the blue economy.”

Kai Lie’s appointment has been in planning for several months and has been approved by the SAN Group executive board. She becomes CEO with immediate effect.