Frank Gläser joins KANSAI HELIOS Group Management Board
KANSAI HELIOS is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Gläser as a new member of the Group Management Board, effective from 1st February 2025. With nearly four decades of extensive experience in the coatings industry, Frank has held key leadership positions at WEILBURGER Coatings and Grebe Holding, the parent company of the global WEILBURGER Group, where he made significant contributions in driving innovation, operational excellence and sustainable solutions in the coatings sector. This appointment reflects KANSAI HELIOS’ commitment to strengthening its leadership team to support its vision of sustainable growth and market leadership. By welcoming Frank Gläser to the Group Management Board, the company signals its dedication to leveraging expertise and fostering innovation across its expanding global footprint.
The year 2024 was a transformative chapter for the KANSAI HELIOS Group, highlighted by the strategic acquisition of WEILBURGER Coatings and its subsidiaries. This acquisition not only expanded the group’s product portfolio but also reinforced its position as a leading system supplier in the coatings industry, particularly in the Industrial Liquid Coatings segment. Frank Gläser, who served as a driving force behind WEILBURGER’s strategic direction and operational success, played a key role in the KANSAI HELIOS’ acquisition process of WEILBURGER Coatings.
Dietmar Jost, President of the KANSAI HELIOS Group, states:
“With KANSAI HELIOS achieving significant growth, the addition of Frank Gläser to our Group Management Board strengthens our leadership team and supports our vision for sustainable expansion. Frank’s deep industry knowledge, exceptional leadership skills and proven track record will help us achieve our strategic objectives, including continued innovation and market leadership.”
Frank’s career spans nearly 40 years in the coatings industry, during which he has developed extensive expertise in specialty coatings, R&D innovation and strategic market development. The majority of his professional journey has been dedicated to WEILBURGER Coatings, where he played a significant role in building the company into a recognized leader in the coatings industry. Over the course of his career, he held key leadership roles, including Managing Director of WEILBURGER Coatings GmbH and President and CEO of Grebe Holding, the parent company of the global WEILBURGER Group. Frank Gläser has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the WEILBURGER Group, driving operational growth and building an excellent reputation in the Industrial Liquid Coatings sector. His visionary approach and commitment to innovation align closely with KANSAI HELIOS’ mission to deliver cutting-edge and sustainable solutions.
With Frank Gläser joining, the KANSAI HELIOS Group Management Board now consists of five members:
- Dietmar Jost, President, Executive Director
- Mitsuru Masunaga, Executive Vice President, Executive Director
- Bastian Krauss, Executive Vice President, Executive Director
- Yoshihiro Tanaka, Executive Director
- Frank Gläser, Executive Director
Frank Gläser says:
“I am honoured to join the KANSAI HELIOS Group Management Board and contribute to the continued success of the KANSAI HELIOS Group and the entire KANSAI PAINT Group. This is an exciting opportunity to build on our achievements, combine our strengths and deliver even greater value to our customers worldwide.”
With the addition of Frank Gläser, the Group Management Board is further empowered to guide KANSAI HELIOS towards its ambitious goals while enhancing agility in a rapidly evolving global market. United in their vision, the new Group Management Board is committed to driving the company’s next phase of growth by leveraging strategic acquisitions, expanding its global presence and strengthening its position as a leading system supplier for the industry.