NTDA Names Ian Andrew As New CEO
- By TT News
- June 11, 2025
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has named Ian Andrew as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Stefan Hay, who will step down in July after a transition period. With nearly two decades of experience in association leadership, Ian joins the NTDA from his most recent role as CEO of the Derby-based British Pest Control Association (BPCA).
Prior to leading BPCA, Ian served as Governance and Partnerships Director at the Beech Centre in East Yorkshire, where he played a pivotal role in securing government approval to establish the new Institute for Organisational Development. His career also includes significant positions at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), where he held roles such as Head of Membership Engagement, Head of Business Development and CMI’s Manager for Scotland. Additionally, he has held senior positions at the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board.
Ian brings a wealth of expertise in membership organizations, business development, training, qualifications, and governance. He will officially assume his role at the NTDA in June, where his experience is expected to drive strategic growth and strengthen stakeholder relationships. Ian has a Bachelor of Divinity from Edinburgh University, a postgraduate degree in hotel administration and an MA in history and international relations from Aberdeen University. Among his accomplishments are his certification as a management consultant and performance coach. Throughout his career, Ian has been a steadfast supporter of improving professional standards and has a wealth of lobbying and high-level representation experience with Westminster and the devolved administrations.
Martin O’Brien, NTDA National Chairman, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ian as CEO. He joins us with the NTDA in its strongest position for many years, with a healthy, engaged membership and a reputation for proactive leadership on the key issues facing the UK tyre trade. We are looking forward to working with him to maintain and grow our influence in the industry and beyond.”
Ian said,“I am delighted to be joining NTDA at such an exciting time. Stefan Hay moved the association on considerably during his time leading it. My intention is to work closely with members and key partners to ensure that, as a sector, we continue to develop confidence and trust in NTDA members for the professional management of tyres, ensuring we develop better qualified tyre technicians and promote their expertise alongside the highest levels of motorist and tyre safety.”
Alessio Iacovelli Named Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe At Linglong Tire
- By TT News
- October 10, 2025
Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.
Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.
Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."
ARLANXEO To Close French Plant As Chemicals Sector Struggles
- By TT News
- October 10, 2025
German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.
The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.
“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.
“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”
The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.
Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”
The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.
ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.
Continental Appoints Managers For Global Purchasing And Original Equipment Business
- By TT News
- October 07, 2025
Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.
In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.
Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.
Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.
In a significant leadership update, LD Carbon (LDC) has announced a restructuring of the chief executive office at the company. The company confirmed that Seong-Moon Baek will now serve as the sole CEO. This move follows the departure of former co-CEO Yong-Kyung Hwang from the executive position.
The change is effective immediately as the company continues to advance its initiatives in the sustainable materials sector. Chief Commercial Officer Bumseek Kim (BK) formally communicated the development in a statement, saying, “Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.”
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