Hollister Lithuania Announces Leadership Change at Kaunas Plant

James Sterling Author 2026-05-19 07:41 3 min read

Modern white building with Hollister signage and blue windows beside a paved parking lot.

Contents

A Period of Significant Industrial Expansion
Continuity and the Return of Founding Leadership
Strategic Importance of the Kaunas Facility

A significant leadership transition has been announced at Hollister Lietuva, the Lithuanian division of the US-based healthcare product manufacturer Hollister Incorporated. Saulius Bitinas, who has served as the General Manager for the past three years, has decided to step down to pursue new career opportunities outside the organization. To ensure operational continuity at the Kaunas-based facility, Shane Caher, the plant’s original founding manager, will return to lead the site on an interim basis.

Bitinas’s departure marks the end of a high-growth era for the facility located in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone (LEZ). Having joined the company in 2020 as the head of the continence care manufacturing unit, Bitinas was instrumental in the initial launch and subsequent scaling of the plant. Since taking the helm as General Manager in 2023, he oversaw a period where the local workforce expanded to over 900 employees, including staff at the Hollister Global Service Center (SSC) in Lithuania.

A Period of Significant Industrial Expansion

Under recent leadership, the Kaunas facility has evolved from a nascent production site into a cornerstone of Hollister’s global operations. The plant has significantly diversified its output, focusing on the high-precision manufacturing of ostomy and continence care products. Beyond manufacturing, the site’s responsibilities grew to include new product development and centralized business services, reflecting a shift toward higher value-added activities within the Lithuanian branch.

This growth has not gone unnoticed by the broader business community. In recent years, Hollister Lietuva has consistently been ranked among the strongest companies in Lithuania’s non-food industrial sector. Most recently, the company was honored as the “Investor of the Year” at the prestigious Investors’ Forum awards, a testament to its impact on the regional economy and its commitment to sustainable growth.

In his departing statement, Bitinas expressed pride in the team’s collective achievements, noting that the organization now possesses a clear strategic path. He emphasized that the decision to leave was difficult given the strength of the team but expressed confidence in the company’s future trajectory.

Hollister Lithuania Announces Leadership Change at Kaunas Plant

Continuity and the Return of Founding Leadership

While the search for a permanent General Manager is underway, the appointment of Shane Caher is intended to provide stability. Caher is a familiar figure within the Kaunas operation, having served as its first General Manager from January 2019 to October 2021. His tenure covered the critical period of the plant’s initial establishment and the commencement of its first production lines.

Caher will temporarily relocate to Kaunas from Ireland to assume his duties. His deep-rooted understanding of the local corporate culture and operational frameworks is expected to facilitate a seamless transition. His primary focus will be maintaining the momentum of the Kaunas plant, which remains the largest single investment ever undertaken by Hollister Incorporated.

Strategic Importance of the Kaunas Facility

Since opening its doors in October 2019, the Lithuanian plant has become the primary axis for Hollister’s global growth strategy. As an independent, employee-owned company headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, Hollister Incorporated relies on its manufacturing hubs across three continents to supply essential medical products to nearly 80 countries.

The Kaunas site is particularly vital for the European market, serving as a hub for products that assist patients with chronic conditions. The company’s commitment to the region is underscored by its ongoing investment in educational materials for healthcare professionals and patients, alongside its core manufacturing activities. As the search for a new permanent leader begins, the focus remains on sustaining the high standards of production and innovation that have defined the Lithuanian operation over the last five years.

Source: ELTA