---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000063296-26-000071"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "MATW"
cik: "0000063296"
company_name: "MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP"
filed_at: "2026-08-04T20:33:45+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-04T20:34:33.044469+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Matthews International CEO Joseph Bartolacci to retire after 20 years; succession search underway

## Summary
- Bartolacci served 29 years at Matthews, 20 as CEO; will remain until successor appointed and support transition through Jan 1, 2027.
- Under his leadership, revenue grew from ~$700M to ~$2B; company completed over 60 acquisitions.
- Retirement is not due to any dispute or disagreement with the company.
- Board has initiated a succession process; no successor named yet.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000063296-26-000071
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: MATW
- cik: 0000063296
- company_name: MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
- filed_at: 2026-08-04T20:33:45+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000071/0000063296-26-000071-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000071/matw-20260729.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000071
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000071.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000071.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.