Kästle announces Jiří Novotný as Chief Operating Officer

Kästle GmbH today announces new leadership of the Kästle Factory with the appointment of Jiří Novotný as Chief Operating Officer. Novotný is an operations and manufacturing leader with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and industrial plastics sector. He begins his Kastle role on November 1, 2026 and will report directly to Kästle CEO, Markus Weeger.

Previously, he has worked for a German family company as Chief Operating Officer across multiple geographies including the Czech Republic, Romania, Mexico, Germany, China, and Morocco, demonstrating operational leadership in multi-site manufacturing environments.

Since October 2025 he has served as Chief Operating Officer at MSM Group, with global responsibility for six manufacturing plants, focused on aligning and coordinating the plant network, creating standards and procedures, and driving consistency across sites.

The appointment comes as Kästle embarks on a transformation plan that will realign all facets of the brand as it continues to expand its global community of skiers and its global distribution through specialty retail.

Kästle has made significant investments in its global manufacturing facility in Nové Město na Moravě, over the past 8 years in order to provide its discerning skiers with the very best product. These investments have been orchestrated by Chief Technology Officer, Rainer Nachbaur, who also serves as lead ski designer for the brand. Nachbaur continues in his role developing the world's finest skis.

"Jiří is a huge addition to the Kästle team and we look forward to his leadership. In addition, I and the entire KAB want to thank Radek Nožka, Head of Sports portfolio at Consillium, for his multi-year leadership of the Kästle Factory. He has done an amazing job." said Scott Mellin, Chairman of the Kastle Advisory Board.

Novotný is a Czech national who lives with his family in Třebíč. He speaks Czech, English and is also fluent in German. He is an avid runner and a firm believer in lean production principles and the Kaizen philosophy, and empowers teams through energy, trust, and shared goals.

"I am proud to join a company that combines high ambitions in sport with local manufacturing in the Vysočina region. It is not where the changing rooms are that matters, but where the playing field is. I believe that bringing my passion for sport and profession together will create the energy to draw on the tremendous know-how already within the company-expertise for which I have the utmost respect to meet our stakeholders' expectations" said Novotný.

Kästle is dedicated to crafting exceptional ski equipment that embodies the spirit of the skiing, empowers athletes to reach new heights, and inspires a lifelong love for the mountains. A passion for skiing is deeply rooted in the company's DNA and will always be our main source of motivation.