ProLeiT GmbH, a leading supplier of automation and process control systems, has announced the appointment of Dr. Axel Kather as its new CEO. In this role, he has had global responsibility for the ProLeiT business within the Schneider Electric Group since November 2025 and will continue to spearhead the further development and international expansion of the company.
Dr. Axel Kather has extensive experience in the fields of automation, production processes and artificial intelligence. In his career to date, he has held various managerial positions at Rockwell Automation and Schneider Electric, where he also played a key role in the acquisition and integration of ProLeiT and most recently oversaw the global strategy and marketing for the Consumer Packaged Goods segment. He previously studied Brewing and Beverage Technology at the Technical University of Munich/Weihenstephan and expanded his skill set with a degree in Practical Computer Science and a Computer Science master’s with a focus on AI.
In his new role, Dr. Axel Kather wants to exploit ProLeiT’s potential to the full. “ProLeiT is distinguished by its team of dedicated and highly qualified specialists and its dynamic portfolio of scalable, modular process control systems with integrated MES functionalities. Together, we aim to further develop these solutions and expand their presence across international markets and emerging industries in the future.”
He has a clear vision of how he wants to do this: From consulting and sales to project management and support, the entire process must be driven by customer focus, innovative solutions and ease of implementation. He aims to generate long-term partnerships that promote sustainable efficiency throughout production. As a prime example, he cites successful collaboration with Carlsberg to optimize the fermentation process – a project that clearly demonstrates how innovative solutions can be developed together with customers.
A key focus of the new strategic plan is ProLeiT’s continued expansion into a global Center of Excellence (CoE). “The CoE will bring together our global teams from the fields of research and development, product management, sales, delivery and service. Supported by our local branch offices and Schneider Electric front offices, we are strengthening our international presence while enhancing customer service,” explains Kather.
In Germany, Christian Schlotter joined Kather’s leadership team as Managing Director of GmbH in January 2026, thereby assuming a new area of responsibility. With over 17 years in key positions within the ProLeiT Group, Christian Schlotter has played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic development of the company. Moreover, he successfully managed the Spanish branch office for several years and brings a wealth of management and industry expertise to the team.
Christian Schlotter has set out clear priorities for his new role: “I am really looking forward to shaping the future of ProLeiT together with our international team.” Central to his strategy is the seamless link between IT and process expertise that ProLeiT has developed over many years in collaboration with its customers. “Our goal is to secure, develop and broaden our specialized expertise, which we have built through years of partnership with customers. This strength is key to the success of innovative and sustainable solutions. For this reason, it is crucial to embed this expertise even more deeply in our products and services in the future,” says Schlotter.
Looking ahead to future developments, ProLeiT plans to expand its portfolio with innovative industry modules, such as EBR (Electronic Batch Record), LineOptimize and CIPOptimize. Thanks to ProLeiT’s involvement in the open automation standard ‘Universal Automation’, platform independence has been expanded to support an array of control platforms (e.g. Unix-based industrial PCs), thereby ensuring even greater flexibility and efficiency for customers moving forward.
Dr. Axel Kather sees his team and ProLeiT’s extensive network as a strong basis for the future: “Working closely with our team of experts, trusted partners and innovative customers motivates me every day. I am truly excited about developing solutions together that will shape the industry in a sustainable way.”