- 会社 - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG
HOERBIGER Completes Acquisition of PI: Dr. Michael Albiez Appointed New CEO
The PI Group, a global leader in high-precision motion and positioning technologies, is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, and operates nine production sites in Europe, North America, and Asia, as well as 16 sales and service locations worldwide. With approximately 1,900 employees, PI’s global activities will be bundled within the newly established Positioning Division of the HOERBIGER portfolio in the future. This strengthens HOERBIGER’s strategic focus on high-growth, technologically demanding markets. PI will remain an independent operating entity and will retain its name, brand, and global market presence.
“With the successful completion of the acquisition, we are pleased to officially welcome our new colleagues from PI to the HOERBIGER Group,” said Dr. Thorsten Kahlert, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of HOERBIGER. “PI is an ideal addition to our portfolio. Together, we will create a strong foundation for long-term, sustainable growth and technological excellence.”
Dr. Michael Albiez Appointed New CEO of PI
As part of the completion of the transaction, the leadership succession at PI was also finalized. As announced earlier this year, former CEO Markus Spanner stepped down from his position at the company upon closing.
The HOERBIGER Board of Directors appointed Dr. Michael Albiez as the new CEO of PI, effective April 1, 2026. Albiez brings many years of international leadership and industry experience in technologically demanding markets. The PhD physicist previously held various senior positions at ZEISS, most recently serving as CEO of ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions. As CEO of PI, he will also assume leadership of the newly established Positioning Division and become a member of the HOERBIGER Executive Board.
“The new Positioning Division is set to become an additional strong pillar of HOERBIGER,” said Dr. Martin Komischke, President of the Board of Directors of HOERBIGER Holding AG. “This makes it all the more important that we were able to win Dr. Michael Albiez — a proven industry expert with many years of technical and leadership experience — for this role.”
Dr. Michael Albiez said: “PI enjoys an excellent global reputation for its technology. I look forward to getting to know the team, becoming part of this organization, and continuing to successfully develop PI within the HOERBIGER Group.”
Also joining PI is Dr. Mathias Eickholt, to assume the role of CFO with immediate effect. He reports directly to Dr. Michael Albiez and will serve as a member of the management team. Eickholt has been with HOERBIGER since 2025 and brings extensive international experience in financial leadership, transformation, and strategic business development.
About Physik Instrumente (PI)
Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, PI is a market and technology leader for high-precision positioning technology and piezo applications in the market segments of industrial automation, semiconductor industry, photonics, as well as microscopy and life sciences. In close collaboration with customers worldwide, PI’s more than 1,900 specialists have been pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible for over 50 years. This is based on a broad range of drive technologies, in-house developed sensors, electronics, and control systems. The offering ranges from components and subsystems to customized complete solutions. More than 560 granted and pending patents underscore the company’s technological leadership in precision positioning and piezo technology. PI is represented worldwide with nine manufacturing sites in Europe, North America, and Asia, as well as 16 sales and service locations. PI has been part of the HOERBIGER Group since April 2026.
For more information on PI and HOERBIGER, visit:
www.physikinstrumente.com and www.hoerbiger.com