SMP Europe, home of the Intermotor, Lemark and Lucas engine management brands, has appointed Brian Lavery as sales director at the company. Lavery brings over 25 years’ experience in automotive, engineering and product development to SMP Europe, market leaders in engine management products.
Original equipment (OE) manufacturer and system supplier Hella, has appointed experienced aftermarket professional Ian Boyle to the position of Sales & Marketing Director for its aftermarket division in the UK and Eire. Ian Boyle brings considerable sales and product knowledge to the role, having spent 11 years at First Line, progressing to UK sales director, and previously 12 years at Quinton Hazell in a product management capacity.
Bridgestone has appointed David Almazán as its new commercial business unit director for Bridgestone in the North Region. He fills the role vacated by Greg Ward, who left Bridgestone in January to become Halfords Autocentres commercial sales director. Almazán first joined Bridgestone in April 2016. He moves to the UK from Madrid, where he served as the company’s commercial business unit director for the South West Region, encompassing Spain and Portugal. He previously worked for MAN Trucks & Bus, initially as controlling manager and subsequently as trucks sales director for Spain. He will report to Andrea Manenti, Bridgestone’s North Region vice president, and will take responsibility for developing and executing Bridgestone’s commercial business strategy within the UK and Ireland.
Central Tyre has appointed former Pirelli and Prometeon sales manager Alex Whittle as sales director. In his new role, Whittle will be responsible for all sales operations across the car, van, truck, industrial and agricultural sectors. His appointment follows a successful growth period within the UK market, according to Central. Central Tyre is part of the UK’s leading ETEL group of tyre retailers, alongside Kwik-Fit and STS Tyre Pros.
SMP Europe has appointed Wayne Hodgkisson as its new sales director. Hodgkisson has previously overseen the company’s tier one sales strategy, where he was successful in bringing further growth into the business, the company states. In his new position he will oversee the entire sales department with a key focus on supporting growth with customers and buying groups, as well as tapping into new opportunities.
Davanti Tyres has appointed Najib Chakhtoura sales director for the Middle East and Africa, in order to establish a “permanent presence” in the region. Chakhtoura is tasked with developing relationships with new and existing distributors to increase the brand’s global reach and sales volume. He previously held senior roles developing premium brands across the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and North and East Africa. Chakhtoura will establish a new regional office for Davanti to introduce the brand into new territories across North, East and West Africa, the Gulf States and the wider Middle East.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe has appointed René Delonge sales director, global OE light vehicle tyres. Delonge has many years of experience in the tyre industry, with previous positions at Apollo Vredestein and Hankook. Delonge will be responsible for overseeing and managing sales of original equipment (OE) motorcycle tyres, as well as global sales of OE light vehicle tyres. He will build relationships with OE manufacturers and grow Cooper’s business portfolio with global OE partners.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe has appointed Michiel Kramer as sales director for Europe, and Brian Sprott as sales director for the United Kingdom and Western European sales region.
Oriente Tire USA has named David R J Halldane as its US sales director for Petlas. Halldane will be responsible for market and sales development of Petlas Tire’s PCR/LTR and SUV tyre lines in the US.
Maxam Tire International has appointed Jeff Hughes as sales director, GOTR (giant off the road) tyres. Reporting directly to Maxam global president, Martin West, Hughes is predominantly responsible for driving and developing the sales and market share of Maxam GOTR tyres in mining and associated segments.
Roberto Pizzamiglio has joined Triangle Tyre Europe as sales director for Southern Europe. Pizzamiglio has more than 20 years’ experience in the Italian tyre market and has covered several sales and marketing management roles within Magri Group, one of the leading tyre distributors in the country.
The Pelmar Group has appointed Enrique Guix to the position of sales director EMEA. Guix takes on the role on top of his responsibility for the South and Central America market, effective from 1 September 2017. Guix will report directly to Robert Adam, managing director of Pelmar Germany, which has become the hub of all Pelmar Engineering European activity.
Hella
Bridgestone
Central Tyre
SMP Europe