Career Tracks
First Stop appoints retail business consultant
The First Stop network has appointed Brenden Marais as south region retail business consultant. Marais previously held roles at Euro Car Parts (general manager and operations manager over the past six years) and The Parts Alliance (account manager).
Bartosch steps down as CEO of BBS – new management team appointed
Wheel manufacturer BBS says it is “strategically repositioning” itself, and has thus made a number of changes to its management team. Heinz Bartosch, chief executive officer since December 2016, was “released from his duties” as of 2 November 2018. He has been replaced with a new management team, a team that BBS says will “place a stronger focus” on expanding the BBS brand around the globe as well as on growing the company’s partnerships with OEM customers in the premium segment.
Schaeffler to reorganise UK business
The global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler, which employs over 92,000 people worldwide, proposes to reorganise its UK business activities as part of its excellence programme “Agenda 4 plus One”. This programme includes a global footprint initiative that is examining the strategic and economic competitiveness and long-term sustainability of all Schaeffler locations worldwide. As part of this initiative the Executive Board has decided to reorganise its activities in the UK.
Andy Lees appoint PG Automotive MD
Automotive recruitment firm PG Automotive has appointed Andy Lees as its new managing director. In this new role, Lees will take on the full responsibility for the leadership and development of PG Automotive’s existing recruitment business.
One year on: Trico MD’s ‘clear vision’
With a background of more than 25 years in the automotive industry and nine years at Trico, Adam Richards stepped up to become the UK figurehead when he was promoted from operations manager to managing director a year ago. He previously worked in the materials and supply chain management sector, which progressed into an operational management role in a number of industrial sectors, but predominantly automotive.
ATG appoints Angelo Noronha head of new EMEA business
Angelo Noronha has been named president of the newly combined Europe, Middle East and Africa regional teams at Alliance Tire Group (ATG).
John Aben appointed to head Prinx Chengshan’s North American operation
Over the past two and a half years, Prinx Chengshan has established a presence in our region with the build up of its Prinx Chengshan Europe operation in Slovakia, however the tyre maker’s international growth plans don’t just include Europe. This year a new sales and marketing subsidiary in North America is also being established. The operation is headed by John Aben, who joins the company from Giti Tire.
Horiba MIRA appoints new CCO
Horiba MIRA has appointed Miller Crockart as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). An experienced commercial leader, Crockart brings with him more than 20 years of international sales experience; most recently global vice president for sales and marketing at PTV, a provider of traffic simulation and optimization software and services for the transportation industry, and now part of Porsche Automobil Holdings SE.
Martin West leaves Maxam Tire International – Troy Kline named successor
Martin West retired as global president of Maxam Tire International Limited. He left the Sailun Group company at the end of last month and has been succeeded by Troy Kline. The president of Maxam Tire North America has assumed full responsibility for European operations.
Michelin closing Dundee tyre factory
Two months after the tyre manufacturer began a restructuring programme at its factory in Dundee, Michelin is set to close the plant at the cost of about 850 jobs. Michelin, which has run the Dundee site since 1971, says it plans to leave the city by 2020.
Recruitment headaches can be avoided by most garages says Progress
Norwich-based automotive recruitment specialist Progress Recruitment Solutions (UK) Ltd has launched new skills training aimed at sales and aftersales professionals. The six courses include ‘Excellence In Aftersales’, ‘Finance and Insurance IMI Accreditation’ and ‘IMI Quality Assured Vehicle Management’.
Bridgestone training partners with MWheels on wheel safety education programme
Bridgestone Training Centre and MWheels have embarked on a joint CV wheel safety education programme for employees, customers and industry professionals. Utilising both classroom learning and hands-on experience, the course includes a full overview of CV wheels’ design and construction, fitting and general maintenance plus an in-depth understanding of axles, nuts and threads as direct core components.
Continental appoints new communications officer for UK & Ireland
Samara Edwards Amos has become communications officer at Continental Tyre Group, and in this role will offer internal and external communications support across the UK and Ireland. She will support the company’s communications and automotive partnerships manager, Mark Griffiths, with media enquires across Continental product lines.
Dirk Abendroth named CTO of new Continental Automotive sector
Dr Dirk Abendroth has been appointed chief technology officer of the Continental Automotive group that will be created when the company’s restructuring takes effect on 1 January 2019. In this role, Abendroth will assume responsibility for global research and development for autonomous driving and connected mobility, technologies that will be brought together within the group by the end of next year.
Ilham Kadri to succeed Clamadieu as Solvay CEO
Solvay’s Board of Directors has appointed Ilham Kadri as chair of the company’s Executive Committee, member of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Group. These appointments take effect 1 March 2019. On that date, Kadri will officially succeed Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, who will then relinquish his executive duties and his mandate as director of Solvay.