Career Tracks
Personnel changes at Giti Tire Europe
Changes are afoot within Giti Tire’s European sales and marketing team. Torsten Gehrmann, senior managing director Europe, has assumed leadership of sales and marketing for the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region as well as for Italy and Spain. Stefan Klein, who previously headed sales and marketing in DACH, will part ways with Giti Tire on 31 December 2018, a little over a year after he joined the company.
Benoit Rivallant named Apollo Tyres’ European president
A promotion for Benoit Rivallant. After serving as group head of global product management for commercial vehicles and OTR tyres at Apollo Tyres since August 2014, Rivallant has been tapped to succeed Mathias Heimann as president of Apollo Tyres’ European Operations.
Mahle Aftermarket appoints Aliya Lam as sales manager for Northern Ireland & Eire
In a buoyant period that has seen its team strengthened with a series of new appointments and promotions, Mahle has announced that Aliya Lam will be the new sales manager for Northern Ireland & Eire, in addition to her current role as sales & marketing manager at Mahle Aftermarket UK.
Cooper announces plan to end light vehicle tyre production at Melksham
Cooper Tire Europe is to enter a 10 month consultation period to decide the future of light vehicle tyre production at its Melksham, Wiltshire facility. News sources suggest that light vehicle tyre production currently in Melksham would be shifted to its factory in Serbia, pending the outcome of the consultation. The company states that the proposed change is a result of the “cost-competitive, globalised environment.” It adds that the Melksham facility “in its present form is not competitive within the Cooper global manufacturing network or the tyre industry at large.” It is Cooper Tire Europe’s highest cost production facility, and the company adds that it considers expanding or updating the facility to meet its light vehicle tyre needs to be “not economically feasible.”
EDT Automotive HQ expansion helps facilitate network growth
Following its recent relocation, award-winning engine decarbonising specialist EDT Automotive has increased the size of its premises at the company’s purpose-built site in Kent. The expansion will provide the ever-growing business with better facilities, such as a director’s suite, and increased storage space, the company states. With a fully-equipped office and workshop to service EDT’s […]
Mike Norman appointed Chief Commercial Officer at VMI
VMI Group has extended its Global Executive Board of VMI Group to four members, following the appointment of Mike Norman as chief commercial officer (CCO). In his role as CCO, Mike Norman will be responsible for all commercial activities of VMI worldwide.
Continental UK appoints Okan Tamer as MD
Continental UK and Ireland has appointed Okan Tamer as its new managing director, effective 1 November 2018. The moves sees Tamer relocate from Turkey, where he was general manager responsible for the presence of the international automotive corporation in that country.
Tyre Industry Awards 2018 announced, including Bridgestone double
The winners of the 2018 "Tyre Industry Oscars" have been announced at the 89th National Tyre Distributors Association annual dinner, with a Bridgestone double in the tyre manufacturer and staff training and development categories headlining the event. More awards were added this year for excellence in tyre retail, with small, medium, and large business categories, as well as an overall winner. Presenting was television personality Mark Durden-Smith, who injected welcome energy and humour into procedings. Tyrepress also announced the results live via its Twitter feed.
Walker appointed Mahle Aftermarket’s GM for Western Europe
In addition to his current role as managing director for Mahle Aftermarket in the UK & Ireland, Jonathan Walker has been appointed the company’s Western Europe general manager for Aftermarket. He takes over from Georges Mourad, takes on the position of global director of operations within the Aftermarket business unit.
Automechanika Birmingham appoints Jack Halliday as new event director
Automechanika Birmingham has promoted Jack Halliday to event director, just under a year ago he joined the Messe Frankfurt UK subsidiary as head of sales.
FinTyre appoints Nicola Melillo as SVP
European FinTyre Distribution (EfTD) has appointed Nicola Melillo as Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs & Organization. In his new role, Melillo reports to Mauro Pessi, Group CEO. Here he will manage strategic areas such as HR & Organization, Information Technology, Communication, Legal e Compliance and Internal Audit.
TIA elects Dan Nothdurft as secretary
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has elected Dan Nothdurft as its new board secretary effective Monday 29 October 2018.
Darren Wells back at Goodyear as CFO
A familiar face has returned to Goodyear Tire & Rubber. As of 20 September, Darren R. Wells is back with the tyre maker as executive vice-president and chief financial officer – a position he held between 2008 and 2013. He succeeds Laura Thompson, who in June announced her intention to retire in the first quarter of 2019 following a 35-year career with the company.
New Michelin Guides international director
Gwendal Poullennec has succeeded Michael Ellis as international director of the Michelin Guides. He began in this role yesterday and will manage the 32 editions of the Michelin guide and lead the global team of Michelin inspectors, reporting directly to Pascal Couasnon, director of gastronomic and tourist activities in the Michelin Group.
VMI appoints Chen Xing general manager of VMI Yantai
Chen Xing Chunjing has been appointed general manager of VMI Yantai. Chen succeeds Xu Kangyuan, who has retired after leading VMI Yantai for almost 20 years.