Bühler Group mourns the passing of visionary leader Urs Bühler

SWITZERLAND -Bühler Group, the Swiss-based technology company serving the global food, feed, and mobility industries, is mourning the passing of Urs Bühler, its former owner and long-time chairman, who died on August 1, 2025, at the age of 82.

A transformative figure in the company’s history, Urs Bühler led Bühler for more than five decades, playing a critical role in its international expansion and transition into a globally recognised technology group.

Born in 1943 in Uzwil, Switzerland, Urs Bühler studied mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich and joined the family business in 1970.

Over the years, he held various roles across both domestic and international markets before being appointed CEO in 1986 and chairman of the Board of Directors in 1994.

By 1990, he had become the sole owner of the company, positioning him to direct its long-term strategy and development.

Under his leadership, Bühler evolved from a traditional mechanical engineering firm into a diversified, innovation-driven global enterprise with strong footprints in food processing, mobility solutions, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

He championed the company’s early move into extrusion technology, global market penetration, and digital transformation through automation and data systems. His impact is still seen today through major initiatives such as the Urs Bühler Innovation Fund, the Cubic Innovation Campus, and the Bühler Energy Center.

In 2001, as part of succession planning, he transferred operational responsibility of the group to Calvin Grieder, who also took over as chairman of the board in 2014.

That same year, Urs Bühler prudently arranged the succession of ownership by transferring company shares to his three daughters, Karin, Maya, and Jeannine Bühler, marking the fifth generation of Bühler family stewardship.  He Uze AG, the family’s real estate company established in 1892, had already been passed on to them in 2011.

 “We are committed to the legacy of our father and predecessors and will continue to run Bühler as a family business. The strategic focus on innovation, training, development and sustainability also has our full support,” the Bühler daughters said in a joint statement.

Urs Bühler also served on several prominent Swiss boards, including Swiss Bank Corporation, Sulzer Group, and Winterthur Insurance. For three decades, he was an active member of Swissmem, helping shape the country’s industrial landscape.

Despite his many accomplishments, colleagues and peers often described him as modest and reserved, deeply passionate not only about business and technology but also about equestrian sports, skiing, and holistic health. In 2004, he founded Health Balance AG to reflect his personal interest in human and animal wellness.

Urs Bühler’s leadership, vision, and values have left an enduring legacy. With heartfelt respect and gratitude, the Bühler family and the global Bühler community bid farewell to a pioneering entrepreneur whose work reshaped an industry and whose memory will remain a guiding light for generations to come.

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