Press release —
Schleich appoints Stefan De Loecker as new CEO
Schleich, the German manufacturer of figurines and playsets shaping storytellers for life, announces the appointment of Stefan De Loecker as new CEO effective 1 January 2024.
Before joining Schleich, Stefan De Loecker was CEO of Beiersdorf and previously President of its emerging markets and has had a broad and long-standing career in FMCG, namely with Nestlé.
Dirk Engehausen, CEO of Schleich for more than eight years, left Schleich on 15 August 2023. After a transition period, he will join its Advisory Board.
"We are delighted to count on Stefan as the new CEO of Schleich. He has the experience to lead the next phase of growth fueled by brand and product innovation, and an effective organisation to sustain it", says Luisa Delgado, Chair of the Advisory Board. "We thank Dirk for his contributions to Schleich and for spearheading its internationalisation". She concludes: "Schleich is a unique brand recognized for its distinct authentic figurines promoting children's joyful storytelling through free play. We look forward to further unlocking its unique educational value through product and content innovation for the benefit of the business and society."
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About Schleich
Schleich is one of Germany’s leading toy manufacturers and one of the world’s most recognized brands for high-quality, detailed, and authentic figurines. Founded by Friedrich Schleich in 1935, the company has long stood for durable quality and has inspired generations of children to engage in free play and imaginative storytelling. At the same time, Schleich figurines enjoy a strong reputation among collectors. Today, Schleich figurines and playsets are available in more than 60 countries, underscoring Schleich’s strong international market position. The suitability of Schleich figurines for creative, open-ended play is also scientifically proven: according to a study by the University of Koblenz, 89% of surveyed parents consider them particularly effective in fostering children’s imagination.
