Acuity Inc. Names Ruth Gratzke President of Acuity Brands Lighting
Rhea-AI Summary
Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) has appointed Ruth Gratzke as President of Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL), effective September 1, 2026, reporting to CEO Neil Ashe. Gratzke joins from Siemens, where she led Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the U.S. and Siemens Industry, overseeing smart buildings, grid-edge technology and energy infrastructure businesses.
According to Acuity, she brings over 25 years of leadership experience in industrial technology, smart infrastructure and electrical products, with prior senior roles at General Electric and Hubbell. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and has served on the Siemens Foundation board. The company said current ABL leader Sach Sankpal will remain for a transition period to support continuity for associates, customers and channel partners.
Positive
- New ABL president appointed effective September 1, 2026
- 25+ years of industrial technology and infrastructure leadership
- Leadership experience across smart buildings, grid-edge and energy infrastructure at Siemens
- Additional senior leadership background at General Electric and Hubbell
- Planned transition period with outgoing leader Sach Sankpal to support continuity
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | Q3 earnings report | Positive | +17.6% | Net sales increased while operating profit and diluted EPS posted strong year-over-year gains. |
| Jun 24 | Quarterly dividend | Positive | +17.6% | Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share. |
| May 28 | Earnings scheduling notice | Neutral | +1.6% | Company scheduled fiscal third-quarter results and an investor conference call. |
| Apr 02 | Q2 earnings report | Positive | -7.5% | Net sales, operating profit and diluted EPS increased year over year. |
| Mar 26 | Quarterly dividend | Positive | -0.2% | Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
AYI's recent history was mixed: fiscal Q3 results preceded a 17.64% gain, fiscal Q2 results preceded a 7.52% decline, and an earnings scheduling notice preceded a 1.6% gain.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Proven industrial technology executive to lead the industry’s leading lighting business
ATLANTA, Aug. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) appoints Ruth Gratzke as President of Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) effective September 1, 2026. She will report to Neil Ashe, Acuity CEO.
Gratzke brings more than 25 years of leadership in industrial technology, smart infrastructure and electrical products. She joins Acuity from Siemens, where she served as President of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the United States and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Industry, Inc., leading businesses across smart buildings, grid-edge technology and energy infrastructure. At Siemens, she helped scale a complex technology portfolio while advancing work in digital infrastructure, energy efficiency and data center environments. She also held senior leadership roles at General Electric and Hubbell. Known for building high-performing teams, Gratzke brings a leadership approach grounded in empowerment, accountability and customer impact.
“Lighting and controls are essential technology in every built space, and Acuity Brands Lighting is the best in the industry,” said Neil Ashe, CEO of Acuity Inc. “Ruth is the right leader for this business. Her track record leading complex technology and infrastructure businesses, developing high-performing teams and driving growth positions ABL to build on its leadership and capture the opportunities ahead.”
“Acuity Brands Lighting is a market leader with an outstanding portfolio, talented team and loyal customers,” said Ruth Gratzke. “Lighting and controls are fundamental to how buildings operate, and advances in building management, energy efficiency and digital technology are expanding what is possible. I am excited to join Acuity and work with the ABL team to build on its strong foundation and advance the next era of lighting and controls.”
Gratzke earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany and served on the Board of Directors of the Siemens Foundation, reflecting both her technical foundation and commitment to advancing opportunity in technology and engineering.
This transition builds on the progress ABL has made under Sach Sankpal’s leadership to become a more connected organization with stronger end-to-end alignment across the business. Sach will remain with Acuity for a transition period, working closely with Ruth and Neil to support continuity for our associates, customers and channel partners. We thank Sach for his many contributions as ABL enters its next season from a position of strength.
About Acuity Inc.
Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.
We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.
Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.
Investor Contact:
Charlotte McLaughlin
Vice President, Investor Relations
(404) 853-1456
investor.relations@acuityinc.com
Media Contact:
April Appling
Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications
corporatecommunications@acuityinc.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/589d732f-c5b3-4699-ada6-13210f3e72ed
