EQS-News: Cherry SE Annual General Meeting confirms strategic realignment

Munich, 23 July 2025 – At its Annual General Meeting on 22 July 2025, Cherry SE received broad approval from its shareholders for the transformation course it has embarked upon. All resolutions proposed by the Management Board were adopted by a large majority. The strategic progress presented includes a significant reduction in inventories to strengthen liquidity, strategic focus on the health segment through the discontinuation of SmartLink, targeted expansion of the high-growth Digital Health segment through new SaaS models, and a strengthened market position in the Gaming Peripherals segment. The company also announced a change in its finance department.

With over 37% of the share capital present, the shareholders confirmed the company's restructuring and transformation course. The Annual General Meeting granted discharge to the two members of the Executive Board, Oliver Kaltner and Dr. Udo Streller, with over 93% of the votes cast.

"The broad approval of our shareholders is an encouraging sign of confidence in our strategy," said Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Cherry SE. "In 2024, we took decisive and far-reaching measures to position CHERRY for a secure and profitable future. This consistent focus on efficiency, liquidity, and high-margin growth areas such as digital health will strengthen us in the long term. The vote at the Annual General Meeting confirms our determination to continue on this path."

At the Annual General Meeting, the Management Board presented the key progress made in the strategic realignment. A key success is the significant reduction in global inventories, which were reduced to EUR 43.1 million as of 30 June 2025. This represents a massive reduction from the peak of EUR 82 million in summer 2023 and significantly increases the efficiency of resource allocation.

The strategic focus on healthcare management is underscored by the decision to discontinue the CHERRY SmartLink development project. This adjustment is a response to changes in the technical and regulatory environment in the e-prescription market and will enable the company to invest the resources freed up in targeted areas of sustainable growth.

The Digital Health & Solutions segment continues to develop as the primary growth and earnings driver. Driven by the ongoing digitalization of the German healthcare system, CHERRY is further expanding its position as a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for telematics infrastructure. The strategic development towards becoming a platform provider with recurring revenues from SaaS models, such as TI Messenger, is opening up sustainable sources of income.

In the Gaming & Office Peripherals segment, the measures initiated to streamline distribution channels and strengthen the pricing structure are also having an effect. Significant progress was made in reducing inventories, particularly in the DACH region.

Cherry SE will continue to consistently implement its restructuring plan. The complete relocation of switch production, further streamlining of the organizational structure, and a clear focus on high-margin business areas form the basis for a sustainable increase in profitability.

The company also announced a change in its finance department. Volker Christ, Executive Vice President Global Finance & IT, will leave the company on 31 July 2025 for family reasons. The Management Board and Supervisory Board would like to thank him for his commitment. Oliver Kaltner: "We deeply regret Volker Christ's departure but respect his decision to step down for family reasons. He took on a great deal of responsibility during a crucial phase for CHERRY and, with his expertise and tireless dedication, played a key role in professionalizing the finance department. We would like to thank him very much for his valuable contribution and wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Following the decision by the Supervisory Board of Cherry SE, the finance department will once again be directly anchored in the Management Board. The company is currently in advanced talks to fill the CFO position. Until then, the department will be managed by CEO Oliver Kaltner on an interim basis.

About Cherry

Cherry SE [ISIN: DE000A3CRRN9] is an international manufacturer of computer input devices such as mechanical keyboards, mice, microphones, and headsets for office, gaming, and industrial applications for hybrid working, as well as hardware and software solutions in the field of digital healthcare. Since its founding in 1953, CHERRY has stood for innovative and durable high-quality products that are developed specifically for specific customer needs.

CHERRY has its operational headquarters in Germany (Auerbach). The company employs staff in development, service, logistics, and production at locations in Germany (Auerbach), China (Zhuhai), and Austria (Vienna), as well as in several sales offices in Germany (Munich, Auerbach), France (Paris), Sweden (Landskrona), the USA (Kenosha), China (Shanghai), and Taiwan (Taipei).

For more information, visit: https://ir.cherry.de/en/
 

Contact

Cherry SE
Nicole Schillinger
Investor Relations
P: Rosental 7, c/o Mindspace, 80331 Munich
T: +49 (0) 9643 2061 848
E: ir@cherry.de