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PEOPLE NEWS
Schwämmlein to Replace Drechsler at BRV
Hans-Jürgen Drechsler, the technical specialist who for many years has filled the role of Managing Director at the German trade association BRV (Bundesverband Reifenhandel und Vulkaniseur-Handwerk) is to retire in February 2020. The Association has announced that his replacement will be Michael Schwämmlein, who will commence his work for the BRV on 1 September 2019. Schwämmlein has many years of technical experience in the retreading sector and is currently engaged as Technical Advisor for the European Retreading Federation BIPAVER.
Apollo Tyres Signs Sachin Tendulkar as Brand Ambassador
Marangoni Combines European Sales and Marketing Operations under Leppert
Michael Schwämmlein
Indian tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres has announced that it has signed cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador for a period of five years. This is the first time that the company has associated with a celebrity as the face
Sachin Tendulkar, Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “Building the Apollo brand to its true potential is key to our growth. By securing Sachin Tendulkar’s association with our brand, we have embarked on an
the quickest. “At the moment the opportunities in Europe for retreads are good, and we need to exploit this as much as possible,” he adds. “There are specific issues such as Brexit and the problems in Turkey, but overall we are in a much better situation than we were.”
The Marangoni Group has announced that it is integrating its European Sales and Marketing operations under the management of Matthias Leppert, who has taken on the role of Commercial Director EMEA.
Leppert’s new role combines his existing responsibilities in Northern Europe under Marangoni Deutschland and the Sales Director role previously carried out at the Italian HQ by Roberto Santorum, who recently retired.
According to Leppert, the new appointment provides the opportunity to integrate operations within the European market and to forward on a European level, bringing together direct and indirect activities. The increased integration will provide additional opportunities, which will become evident during the course of integration, he added. In describing the challenges of his new role, Leppert pointed towards the opportunities offered by an increased demand for fuel efficient retreads and the recovery currently being seen in the market place following the introduction of tariffs on Chinese truck and bus tyres.
“We are undergoing a constant process of improving our range of premium quality products, especially along the lines of fuel efficiency,” he says. We see ourselves as part of the circular economy, where fuel efficiency is important. We see a
movement towards lower tread depths helping to improve fuel efficiency and reduce weight, and we see a need to follow the changes in the market.”
With regards to general market demand, Leppert argues that the Central European market has suffered more than most during the recession difficulties, and it is this geographical area which is recovering
Matthias Leppert steps up at Marangoni
Sachin Tendulkar (centre) becomes brand ambassador for Apollo
of its brand.
For Apollo Tyres, the association with Tendulkar as well as the company’s existing sponsorship deal with Manchester United, is in line with its brand strategy, to reach out and engage with its target audience globally. The association with Tendulkar, will help the company leverage on the cricketer’s fan following and popularity as a sports icon to drive home the company’s own message of making every journey a safe and inspiring one. Commenting on the association with
exciting journey together. I am sure this partnership will help us go the distance!”
In addition to being the Global Tyre Partner for Manchester United, Apollo Tyres also has a presence in the German Bundesliga, thanks to its association with Borussia Monchengladbach. In India, it
has a presence in the Indian Super League (ISL), being the principal sponsor of Chennaiyin FC, and in the I-League, with its title sponsorship of Minerva Punjab FC.
Following the success of its new production facilities in Poland, VMI has announced the opening of a further two manufacturing halls, as well as the appointment of Magda Sadowska as General Manager of the Lezsno facility.
The Poland factory opened in 2017 to enhance the global manufacturing base of the VMI Group. In order to facilitate continuing growth and deliver the service that the modern tyre industry demands. Plans for a second phase, which doubles the size of the plant, have been brought forward.
Magda Sadowska, who is an expert in lean manufacturing and quality systems, together with General Manager Jos van Oosterbosch, built the Lezsno facility from scratch, and is now responsible for a highly educated and motivated work force of over 150, with an ambitious recruitment and training programme
ongoing.
Harm Voortman, CEO of the VMI Group commented: “VMI would like to thank Jos van Oosterbosch for building a world class facility and the successful start-up in Leszno. With the appointment of Magda Sadowska as General Manager of VMI Poland, we are convinced that the strategic role of Poland will contribute to the continued growth of VMI.”
VMI Expands in Poland
8 Retreading Business
Magda Sadowska