Ex-Robert Bosch executive joins Wacker Neuson as CEO

Wacker Neuson has appointed a former Robert Bosch executive Cem Peksaglam as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Dr Georg Sick who left the company last September to join Mecalac of France as chief executive.

Mr Peksaglam, 43, who starts on 1 September, has spent much of his career with German industrial giant Robert Bosch, the manufacturer of automotive components, consumer goods, power tools and other industrial tools and equipment.

Until January of this year he was president and managing director of Bosch's South East Asia business, based in Singapore, a position he held since 2007. He has also worked for Bosch in South America. Earlier this year he moved back to Germany to work for Bosch's security systems business.

Wacker Neuson said Mr Peksaglam has in-depth experience of a number of industries and of high-tech products, and also brought extensive international experience. He speaks six languages.

Hans Neunteufel, chairman of Wacker Neuson's supervisory board, said Mr Peksaglam was the ideal person to lead the company at a time when markets in South America and Asia were becoming so important; "Our decision to appoint Mr. Peksaglam aligns with our strategy to capitalise on the challenges and opportunities presented by these markets.

"We are bringing on board an experienced business executive with a strong background in engineering, an outstanding international reputation and years of leadership at Bosch."

Mr Pesaglam said Wacker Neuson's assets included service and quality excellence, innovative products and uncompromising customer focus; "My role is to ensure that we dovetail these valuable assets as effectively as possible to secure the long-term success of Wacker Neuson".

As a consequence of the appointment Richard Mayer will step down from his interim role as acting spokesperson of the executive board, although he will remain responsible for light equipment at board level.

"We are looking forward to working with Mr Peksaglam and shaping the future of Wacker Neuson," said Mr Mayer, on behalf of the executive board.

Günther Binder (finance and IT), Martin Lehner (compact equipment) and Werner Schwind (sales, rental, logistics, service, marketing and training) also retain their existing areas of responsibility.