Swiss meats and convenience foods producer Bell Food Group is to promote executive Marco Tschanz to CEO.

In June, Tschanz will take over from current CEO Lorenz Wyss, who is retiring next summer after 13 years at the company.

Under Wyss, Bell Food Group’s sales revenue increased from SFr2.5bn ($2.78bn) to more than SFr4.3bn and its workforce more than doubled in size, the company said.

Tschanz will become Bell Food Group’s new CEO on 1 June, while also acting as the head of the Bell Switzerland business area which develops meat, charcuterie, poultry and seafood products.

Having worked at Bell Food Group for nine years, Tschanz joined the company as CFO and a member of the group executive board in 2014. He became head of Bell Food Group’s international business area in 2019 and has managed the Eisberg business unit, which specialises in convenience salads, since 2022.

Commenting on the news, Joos Sutter, Bell Food Group’s chair, said: “Marco Tschanz has an impressive track record with the Bell Food Group, both at the operational and strategic levels.”

Wyss added: “As a member of the management team, Marco Tschanz has played an important part in shaping the company’s strategic focus. He has all the skills needed to successfully advance the Bell Food Group.”

In light of Tschanz’s move, Mike Häfeli will become the new head of Eisberg from January 1 2024.

In the first half of 2023, Bell Food Group’s net revenue reached SFr2.2bn, up 5.4% and by 6.9% on an organic basis.

Its EBIT stood at SFr63.6m, which was 1% higher than in the first half of 2022. Bell Food Group’s net profit was SFr46.6m, 15.9% higher than a year earlier.

Speaking on his appointment, Tschanz said: “I’m looking forward to continuing to work on our success story, spanning more than 150 years, with the support of a strong team and more than 13,000 committed and competent employees.”