Nikon SLM Solutions has announced a leadership restructuring that will see CEO Sam O'Leary transition into a role on the company's Supervisory Board.
O'Leary will make the transition during Q4, 2026, with Jan-Niklas Thielmann, Chief Financial and Administration Officer, and Simone Castellani, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, becoming Co-Presidents of Nikon SLM. Thielmann and Castellani will also join the the company’s Management Board.
In these new roles, Thielmann and Castellani will be responsible for leading day-to-day operations, while O'Leary will continue to help guide strategy and support customers and partners. Hamid Zarringhalam, General Manager and CEO of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and Chairman of Nikon SLM Solutions’ Supervisory Board, will continue to oversee the business as a unit of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing.
Nikon SLM says the changes are 'about continuity' and 'come from a position of strength.'
“Simone and I are grateful for the trust placed in us, and excited about what comes next. Our priorities stay the same: our customers, our people and the technology we build together,” said Jan-Niklas Thielmann, Co-President and Chief Financial Officer, Nikon SLM Solutions.
“With MACHX launching at Formnext, our focus is on helping customers turn ambitious ideas into repeatable production,” added Simone Castellani, Co-President and Chief Technology Officer, Nikon SLM Solutions.
“This is a continuation, not a change of direction. Jan-Niklas and Simone know this company, its customers and its technology inside out, and Sam built a strong business and a strong team. We are very glad he stays with us on the Supervisory Board. With MACHX launching in two weeks, our focus is exactly where it should be: on our customers and what we build for them next,” offered Hamid Zarringhalam, General Manager and CEO, Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Nikon SLM Solutions
“This isn’t a goodbye. I’ll stay closely involved from the Supervisory Board, and I’m as committed to this company and our customers as I have ever been. The business is in great shape: stable, fully part of Nikon, and about to launch some of the most exciting technology in our history. That made this the right moment to also follow a passion of mine in sports and entertainment, knowing the team taking things forward is one I have worked alongside for years,” said Sam O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer, Nikon SLM Solutions.
Alongside his Supervisory Board role, O’Leary will pursue a long-held passion in the professional sports and entertainment industry.
It's really not that complicated
TCT sits down with Nikon SLM's Sam O'Leary for the TCT Winter 25/26 magazine cover story.
