PLYMOUTH, MINN. — Andy Sharpe has been named the next president and chief executive officer of Bühler, Inc., effective Jan. 1. Mr. Sharpe will succeed Rene Steiner, who is retiring following a 50-year career with Bühler.

Mr. Sharpe most recently was president and c.e.o. of Bühler Aeroglide in Raleigh, N.C., a position he has held since April 2015. Aeroglide specializes in drying applications and a range of other thermal processes. He joined Bühler in 1996 as market manager responsible for establishing the company’s office in Stamford, U.K.

Later, he was promoted to regional director for the company’s European, Middle Eastern and African markets.

Prior to joining Bühler, Mr. Sharpe spent nearly 18 years at APV Baker Perkins.

“We are happy that, with Andy Sharpe, we were able to find a seasoned and successful business leader as successor for Rene,” said Dieter Voegtli, global head of sales and service at Bühler Group. ”Andy’s appointment will allow us to further develop relationships with our customers, based on the foundation laid by Rene and to provide continuity to our teams in North America.”

Bühler credits Mr. Sharpe with “transforming” the Aeroglide business into an organization “where entrepreneurship, accountability and innovation flourish,” promising he will apply “that same transformational leadership” to his new assignment.

“It’s an exciting time to take over the helm of Bühler North America as we advance a phase of equipment solutions and digital innovations that allow our customers to satisfy the basic food, mobility and communications needs for billions of people, every day,” Mr. Sharpe said. “As president and c.e.o., my goal is to perpetuate Bühler’s world class expertise, to help our customers grow their businesses across all industries.” 

Mr. Steiner, who has headed Bühler, Inc. since July 2005, will remain with the company through the transition.