CHANGE IN COMMAND: Michele Molon will become group chief executive officer of Germany’s Schwan-Stabilo Group, the 800 million euro company specializing in cosmetics, writing instruments and outdoor products.
Molon, formerly Swarovski’s chief commercial officer leading the retail, e-commerce, wholesale and B2B units globally, will share responsibility for Schwan-Stabilo management with chief financial officer Anke Buttler. Molon is scheduled to start his new job on Oct. 1, 2025.
Molon succeeds Sebastian Schwanhäußer, the long-standing CEO and managing partner of Schwan-Stabilo, who will become chairman of the advisory board on July 1. During the transition period, Buttler will lead the group.
As reported, Kolja Kiofsky, general manager of North America for Swarovski, will succeed Molon as Swarovski’s chief commercial officer, starting January 2026.
Schwan-Stabilo Group is a family-owned company headquartered in Heroldsberg near Nuremberg, Germany. The holding company operates Schwan Cosmetics, Stabilo writing instruments, and an outdoor division including the Deuter, Orotovox, Maier Sports and Gonso brands. Gustav Adam Schwanhäusser founded the company in 1865 by recognizing the opportunities in the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, obtaining a loan of 32,000 guilder from his father, and purchasing a pencil factory in Nuremberg.
Molon played a central role in repositioning the Swarovski brand and transforming it into an omnichannel business. He also served on the boards of several key subsidiaries and joint ventures within the Swarovski Group. Prior to Swarovski, Molon held senior positions at Richemont Group’s Montblanc brand, where he served as managing director Italy retail and later as global head of retail operations, overseeing more than 600 boutiques around the world.
“Leading three vastly different business units under the roof of a single company is a complex yet incredibly exciting task,” Molon said in a statement. “It’s a rare opportunity — and one I take on with humility and determination. I want to thank the shareholders for their trust. The strength of any company lies in its people, and Schwan-Stabilo is built on a culture of care, courage and creativity. I believe in empowering talent, listening deeply, and leading with clarity and conviction. The world around us is not waiting — and neither should we. Constant evolution is the only way forward. My priority will be to strengthen our innovation capabilities and translate great ideas into tangible, profitable results — quickly and decisively. Together, we’ll keep moving, keep building, and keep earning our place in the future.”