Battery association names new president

The Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT) has elected Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff, general manager and vice-president of Industry and Governmental Relations for Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA, as its new president. The appointment took place last week during EUROBAT meetings in Italy. Dempwolff will serve as president for two years.

“I am very honoured to take the lead of the association,” commented Dempwolff following his appointment. “We notice growing opportunities for the further advancement of automotive and industrial batteries of all technologies in all sectors, including lead, lithium, sodium and nickel. EUROBAT will continue to work with decision-makers on the importance of the battery industry to the growth of different manufacturing sectors of the European economy.”

Prior to his appointment as president, Dempwolff was a board member of the association for more than two years and has served as chair of the automotive batteries committee for the past ten years. EUROBAT works to promote the European automotive, industrial and special battery industries to EU institutions, national governments, customers and the media.

Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff, a native of Hamburg, Germany, has been vice-president Industry and Governmental Relations for Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA – Europe, Middle East and Africa since May 2012. Dempwolff started his career at Varta Autobatterie GmbH. He was employed in various sales and marketing positions in Canada, Spain and Germany. He has been a management board member since 2001 and was responsible for OEM Sales Europe at board level up until 2012. Following the company’s acquisition by Johnson Controls in 2002 and during other acquisitions, Dempwolff was involved in the strong expansion of the original equipment manufacturer business.

John Searle (Saft) and Andreas Bawart (Banner) will continue as vice-presidents for another mandate. The other board members of EUROBAT include Nicola Cosciani (FIAMM), Michael Ostermann (Exide Technologies), David Shaffer (EnerSys), Marc Zoellner (Hoppecke), Charles-Louis Ackermann (Accumalux) and Marcus Ulrich (ENTEK).