Uniwheels appoints new CFO, posts preliminary 2013 results
As of 10 February, Dr. Karsten Obenaus is the new CFO of alloy wheel manufacturer Uniwheels. Previously head of financial accounting, Dr. Obenaus has long held senior positions within Uniwheels’ finance department. He succeeds Eckehard Forberich, who has left the company. Forberich held the role of CFO since 1 July 2011.
Continue ReadingFortune 500 leader Chambers joins Lehigh Board of Directors
Sustainable materials company Lehigh Technologies has elected Lamar Chambers, former senior vice president and chief financial officer at Ashland Inc, a leading specialty chemical company with more than $8 billion in revenue, to its board of directors. Chambers led Ashland’s financial organization during a period defined by multiple high-profile acquisitions and significant change in the […]
Continue ReadingSolvay names R&I director for Silica business
Solvay has appointed Jean-Francis Spindler to the role of research and innovation director within its Silica business unit. Spindler graduated with a Ph.D. in Organic Catalysis in 1990 from Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France and joined Rhône Poulenc as a project manager. He progressed through various scientific and management roles; his most recent positions were R&D director for Rhodia Organics and R&I European Zone director for Rhodia and then Solvay upon the former company’s acquisition.
Continue ReadingGert Wendroth appointed Nynas president
Gert Wendroth has been appointed president of Nynas AB, effective 1 March 2014. He will replace Staffan Lennström who is retiring. Gert Wendroth has a thorough background in the oil industry. His latest position was as CEO of H&R AG, a German listed company operating two base oil refineries in Germany and a number of blending and filling plants for specialty products around the world. Before that he has held various management positions in the Royal Dutch / Shell Group with a strong focus on B2B sales and marketing.
Continue ReadingSchrader appoints Canada regional sales manager
Schrader International has appointed Aaron Nelson as its new regional sales manager in Western Canada. Nelson brings nearly a decade of experience working with automotive and diesel performance products. Based in Edmonton, Nelson’s responsibilities include assisting Schrader customers with their TPMS programs and driving sales growth throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Continue ReadingKnapp replacing Minardi as Bridgestone Americas’ COO, head of tyre operations
The vacancy in Bridgestone Americas’ senior management created by Eduardo Minardi’s impending departure for Europe will be filled by Gordon Knapp. Effective 1 March, he will assume the role of chief executive officer of Bridgestone Americas and chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. Until a successor is appointed for his current position, Knapp will also continue as president of North American Consumer Tire at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Europe executive chairman relocates to Brussels
Eduardo Minardi is to relocate to Brussels to make the role of executive chairman, Bridgestone Europe (BSEU) his primary responsibility. Minardi previously served as Bridgestone Americas chief operating officer and chairman, CEO & president of Bridgestone Tire Operations concurrently with the BSEU role he assumed 1 January, 2014.
Continue ReadingGiti Tire promotes Mardle to European supply chain manager
Giti Tire has promoted Matthew Mardle to its senior management team, taking up the newly created position of European supply chain manager. Mardle will be responsible for product life cycle management, forecasting and planning for GT Radial, Primewell and Runway tyres across passenger car, SUV and light truck (PCR) and commercial truck and bus (TBR) operations.
Continue ReadingTitan International gains a president
The Board of Directors at Titan International, Inc. has approved the promotion of Paul Reitz from his current position as the company’s chief financial officer to the open position of president. Reitz’s promotion takes effect 3 February. Taking his place as chief financial officer is John Hrudicka, who was previously presiding chief financial officer at Elkay Manufacturing.
Continue ReadingSmithers names new senior managers
The Smithers Group has announced organisational changes within the Smithers Rapra/Smithers Pira operations in Europe and North America. The company has named a new vice-president and general manager for both regions, as well as a new managing director of global information business.
Continue ReadingNew corporate planning VP at Falken Tire
Falken Tire Corporation, the Japanese brand’s North American operation, recently promoted Ken Masaoka to the role of vice-president of corporate planning. Masaoka, who joined parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 1993, was previously Falken Tire’s director of corporate planning.
Continue ReadingParts Alliance reorganises leadership
Peter Sephton, who joined as Parts Alliance group CEO in August 2013 has announced some senior appointments. Sephton is aligning the four businesses into two regional alliances, the Western Alliance formed from GMF and CES and the Eastern Alliance, formed by SCMF and Allparts. Each Alliance will share resources, systems and best practice to accelerate growth, facilitate new branch openings, develop staff training and invest in tools to take customer service to world leading standards.
Continue ReadingHeitmann leaving Lanxess – former CFO filling his shoes
Effective 28 February 2014, Axel C. Heitmann will step down as member and chairman of the Lanxess AG Board of Management. His successor will be Matthias Zachert, who served as chief financial officer at Lanxess between 2004 and 2011 and is currently chief financial officer at Merck KGaA. Zachert will begin his new role at Lanxess not later than 15 May 2014. Prior to Zachert joining the Lanxess Board of Management, current Lanxess chief financial officer Bernhard Düttmann will carry out Heitmann’s responsibilities.
Continue ReadingEldan Recycling opens UK sales office
Eldan Recycling A/S has opened a UK office in response to “increasing demand in the UK”. Effective 1 January Peter Jones has been appointed as branch manager of the Eldan UK sales office based in Pulborough.
Continue ReadingDunlop Aircraft appoints new financial director
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has appointed Stephen Ray as its new financial director. He replaces Oliver Burns who worked at the company for six years. Before moving to Dunlop, Stephen Ray spent 13 years at LINPAC Group, a producer of plastic packaging for the retail, catering, manufacturing, packing and food sectors.
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