News: Microelectronics
27 March 2025
Wolfspeed appoints Robert Feurle as CEO & board member
After an internal and external search by its board of directors, Wolfspeed Inc of Durham, NC, USA — which makes silicon carbide (SiC) materials and power semiconductor devices — has appointed Robert Feurle as CEO, effective 1 May. He succeeds Thomas Werner, who is serving as interim executive chairman and will return as chairman of the board following the transition.
Feurle has more than 20 years of experience leading global organizations developing power semiconductor solutions in automotive and other high-voltage applications, including both silicon and silicon carbide. A citizen of both the USA and Germany, he will be returning to the USA, where he previously spent a decade in executive roles at Micron Technology and will be relocating to the Wolfspeed’s headquarters in Durham, where he will work closely with Werner to ensure a smooth transition.
Most recently, he served as executive VP & general manager of the Opto Semiconductors business unit at ams OSRAM AG, responsible for managing more than 10,000 staff in sites and factories around the world. There, he expanded market share and accelerated the introduction of LED and laser products into automotive and new advanced LED applications. Previously, at Infineon Technologies, Micron Technology, Qimonda and Siemens, Feurle managed strategic initiatives that enhanced competitiveness and increased revenue growth in challenging global markets.
“With a history of delivering significant operational enhancements and profitability improvements, and deep industry expertise, we are confident that Robert is the right individual to take the helm during this stage in the company’s lifecycle,” says Werner. “His history of driving success and operational excellence in each of his previous roles is a significant contributor to our decision to appoint him as CEO. The board and I look forward to working closely with Robert to successfully navigate near-term market dynamics and ultimately position the company for long-term value creation,” he adds.
“During my tenure at Infineon, I became intimately familiar with the silicon carbide industry and saw first-hand Wolfspeed’s impressive leadership in the space,” comments Feurle. “We have just begun to scratch the surface of the vast potential of silicon carbide,” he believes. “Wolfspeed’s world-class facilities, exceptional talent and robust intellectual property position us to maintain and expand our market leadership.”
Throughout his career, Feurle has consistently driven growth strategies, innovative product development, and market expansion initiatives. At ams OSRAM, he enhanced the market presence of the Opto Semiconductors division through accelerated innovation in compound semiconductor solutions.
Previously at Infineon, he strategically expanded market opportunities by spearheading new product introductions in IGBT and silicon carbide technologies and leading a global business unit focused on competitive differentiation and profitable growth. He was also part of the team at Infineon supporting the proposed acquisition of the Wolfspeed operations in 2016. His experience in market-driven technology innovation and strategic business scaling makes him uniquely suited to advance Wolfspeed’s global leadership in silicon carbide technology, believes the firm.
Feurle joins Wolfspeed as it continues to focus on improving financial performance and accelerating its path to generate positive free cash flow, take aggressive steps to strengthen its balance sheet and raise cost-effective capital required to support its long-term growth plan.
“With all of the company’s competitive advantages I feel very confident that we will be able to work through this transformative period to refresh the operating plan, improve financial performance and accelerate our path to positive free cash flow,” says Feurle.
Wolfspeed’s revenue falls 7% in December quarter
Wolfspeed completes $200m at-the-market equity offering
