
Mahle Aftermarket promotion strengthens European operations
Mahle Aftermarket has promoted its UK general manager Andy Lees within its senior leadership team, in a combined role that will see him lead aftermarket operations in western Europe. While Lees’ responsibilities expand with his promotion to head of Western Europe Aftermarket (MESW), he will remain in his role as UK general manager, overseeing relationships with valued customers across the country and guide the company’s UK aftermarket strategy.
Continue ReadingGoodyear MEA appoints Afaneh commercial tyre business director
Goodyear has appointed Hamzeh Afaneh as director of its commercial tyre business in the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Afaneh has spent almost sixteen years in the tyre business, occupying a series of sales and business development roles based in Jordan and the UAE with Bridgestone, Continental and most recently Goodyear as commercial regional manager in early 2021. He led Goodyear’s team for the Gulf Cooperations Council (GCC) and near East regions, growing commercial tyre sales and delivering tailored digital solutions to customers. He was the recipient of Goodyear’s Chairman’s Award in 2022. Announcing his appointment, the company notes his experience of brand marketing, sales and business development across the region.
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Europe to bear 40% of Goodyear’s global job cuts
The news that Goodyear lost $104 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 won’t be welcome in the company’s Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The official figures also confirmed projections a fortnight earlier that EMEA’s own fourth-quarter 2022 loss of $80 million would make up the lion’s share of the red numbers. Back then, Goodyear’s Ohio-based global executives announced plans to cut 5 per cent of the firm’s global salaried workforce and official statements featured implicit references to the underperformance of the EMEA region, raising questions about how many jobs would be cut in Europe.
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Repairify expands technical sales team
Repairify has expanded its technical sales team with two new appointments. The company said the additions would enhance its nationwide customer service and support, supporting its customers in utilising Repairify’s vehicle diagnostic and calibration technology to its full potential.
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TMD Friction shines light aftermarket talent in National Apprenticeship Week
TMD Friction UK has been highlighting the importance of embracing future talent and encouraging the next generation of aftermarket professionals into the industry as part of National Apprenticeship week (6–12 February). To mark the occasion, the braking specialist is celebrating its own homegrown talent throughout its UK sites. For its part, TMD Friction UK offers a comprehensive apprenticeship programme.
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Heuver expands leadership team
As of today, Laura van den Heuvel and Kasper Olimulder take over day-to-day operations at tyre wholesaler Heuver. The Hardenberg, Netherlands-based business has appointed van den Heuvel its Director Sales and Olimulder Director Operations. Both report to Heuver Group CEO Bertus Heuver and CFO Elmer Wiemer.
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Apprenticeship numbers too low – IMI
Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February 2023), the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling for businesses to embrace apprenticeships and all the benefits they bring. Funding is available through the UK government’s apprenticeship levy scheme, yet the latest data in the IMI’s Automotive Education Report suggests this is underutilised in the automotive sector, meaning many businesses are missing out. Elsewhere, leading garage chains have been sounding the alarm that their growth and profitability depend on getting more personnel.
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moveero appoints new CFO
moveero has named Anirudh Pandit as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a move that sees Pandit take global responsibility for the company’s finance function.
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Wang Feng resigns as general manager of Aeolus
On 19 January 2023, Aeolus stated that Wang Feng resigned from the role of general manager due to work needs. However, while he has left that position, Wang Feng remains chairman of Aeolus. On 5 December 2022, Wang Feng was appointed as the chairman of China National Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. (CNRC), the controlling shareholder of Aeolus
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Alexander Mai heading Apollo Tyres’ European two-wheeler business
Apollo Tyres has appointed Alexander Mai as Cluster Manager for its European Two Wheel Tyre division. Mai will succeed Thomas Mittendorff, who steps down at the end of January to take a position outside the company. Mai takes responsibility for a business that currently offers Vredestein bicycle tyres in Europe and is expected to introduce a range of Vredestein-branded tyres for motorcycles and mopeds in the not-too-distant future.
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Yokohama HPT: a new chapter
Recent months have seen the appointment of a completely new leadership team at Yokohama’s UK distribution operation, Yokohama HPT Ltd. Well-known in the market for its high-performance passenger car tyre and wheel sales, the appointments signal the start of a new chapter. With that in mind, Tyres & Accessories visited the company’s Milton Keynes headquarters and distribution centre in order to meet with recently-appointed CEO Peter Fairlie; commercial director, Karl Naylor; and marketing manager, Lucie Dalton, in order to find out more.
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Goodyear job cuts: Unanswered questions in the UK and EMEA tyre markets
Goodyear’s decision to cut 5 per cent of its global salaried employees is shocking enough for the firm’s 72,000-strong worldwide workforce. However, the fact that senior executives directly linked that decision to the company’s worse-than-expected performance in the EMEA region (Europe Middle East and Africa) is giving employees in those countries extra cause for concern.
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Kono to lead Toyo Tires’ EMEA sales operation
Toyo Tire Corporation has appointed Masaomi Kono division general manager of its Europe, Africa & Middle East sales division and also, confusingly, general manager of said division, as well as general manager of the Europe, Africa & Middle East sales department. Kono begins in these roles, and presumably will receive slightly larger business cards, on 1 April 2023.
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UK sojourn ending for Toyo Tires’ Shigeno
Teppei Shigeno will end his tenure as president of Toyo Tyre (UK) Ltd. on 1 April 2023. Toyo Tire Corporation has not yet announced who will succeed him in this role.
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NFDA chief executive joins Automotive 30% Club
NFDA chief executive Sue Robinson has joined the Automotive 30% Club, a voluntary network of MDs and CEOs from UK based automotive sectors. The organisation sets out to achieve a better gender balance within the automotive industry. It takes its name from its target of at achieving at least 30 per cent of key leadership positions in member organisations with diverse women by 2030.
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