Press Release
2015-106
Schmitz Cargobull AG
Andreas Klein is the new Member of the Board for the Operations division
Horstmar, 9 January 2015 – The Supervisory Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG has named Andreas Klein as the new Board of Management member responsible for Operations. He is taking over from Josef Buddenkotte who will go into retirement as planned on 31 March 2015. Andreas Klein began work at Schmitz Cargobull on 1 January 2015, bringing a wealth of international experience from the areas of quality management, process development, purchasing and production.
“His in-depth knowledge of the segment, his impressive management expertise and his affinity for vehicle construction mean that Andreas Klein is perfectly suited to take over responsibility for Operations in the Schmitz Cargobull Board of Management. We are thrilled that he has decided to take on this exciting new challenge” declares Professor Jürgen Kluge, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Schmitz Cargobull AG.
After completing his engineering degree, Andreas Klein began his professional career as a management consultant. In 1998, he moved to ZF Lemförder, a technology company specialising in vehicle chassis, where he ran the factory development department for the commercial vehicles division in Lancaster, South Carolina (USA). Following this, he remained within the technology group ZF Friedrichshafen AG, taking on a number of key roles, including head of quality management for the ZF Lemförder group, where he was able to expand the area of process consultancy. From 2006 onwards, he was able to gain key experience in China, one of the most important markets in the world. He supervised the renovation of a car component production plant in China and managed the purchasing process for car chassis components in Dielingen, Germany. His last position was head of vehicle axle systems for the Asia-Pacific region, which saw him working from Shanghai.
“I'm looking forward to my new duties at Schmitz Cargobull and would like to thank the team for placing their trust in me. Europe's largest trailer manufacturer has already found its own successful business model. I'm looking forward to building on these strong foundations and expanding the Operations division within the company” explains Andreas Klein.
The outgoing Director of Operations, Josef Buddenkotte, will soon be taking a step back from his work at Schmitz Cargobull. Holding management roles for the past 25 years, he has played a key role in helping to transform the company into Europe's leading trailer manufacturer.
He will provide support during the transition phase until 31 March 2015, following which he will continue to provide consultancy services to Schmitz Cargobull.
“The Board of Management and Supervisory Board of Schmitz Cargobull would like to thank Josef Buddenkotte for his outstanding dedication to the company and everything he has helped us to achieve. Under his leadership, we have been able to streamline a number of processes within the company and find new areas of synergy. His innovative approach and intelligent decisions have helped to bring the company up to a whole new standard when it comes to quality, performance and profits” explains Professor Jürgen Kluge.
About Schmitz Cargobull AG:
With an annual production of 45,113 vehicles and around 5,100 employees, Schmitz Cargobull AG is Europe's leading manufacturer of semi-trailers and trailers. Turnover increased by 7.5% in the financial year 2013/2014, rising to €1.625 billion. As a pioneer in the industry, the North German company developed a comprehensive brand strategy early on and consistently established quality standards spanning every level: from research and development, to production and specialist services
such as trailer telematics, financing, used vehicles, spare parts and Full Service.
Andreas Klein, Member of the Board of Management, Operations, Schmitz Cargobull AG
The Schmitz Cargobull PressTeam:
Gerd Rohrsen:Tel. : +49/2558/ 81-1323
Silke Hesener -1501
Fax: +49/2558/ 81-1287
E-Mail:
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