Sumitomo Rubber Europe GmbH has appointed Michael Haupt as Senior Manager Tyre Design/Automotive Original Equipment (OE) with effect from 1 April 2025. Haupt will lead the company’s OE division and take care of tyre development activities for its Falken and Dunlop brands.

Haupt has more than 30 years of expertise in the tyre and automotive industries. He began working for Ford Motor Company in 1994 as a research engineer before joining Porsche in 1996. He advanced to the role of team leader in tyre development throughout his tenure at Porsche, where he significantly contributed to the advancement of quality management procedures. Haupt worked for Nexen Tyre for five years in top positions, first as Vice President for OE development in Europe and then as top Vice President for worldwide OE and replacement tyre development, prior to joining Sumitomo Rubber Europe. His achievements there included creating high-end tyres specifically for German original equipment manufacturers, optimising manufacturing procedures and raising brand awareness through media and motorsport initiatives.

Dr Bernd Löwenhaupt, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, said, “Michael Haupt is an excellent fit for our team. His leadership qualities and extensive experience in tyre development and OE strategy make him a strong addition to our company as we continue to innovate and grow in the European market.”

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CAMSO Construction has appointed Krzysztof Polesiak as Lead Sales for Europe. Polesiak brings 26 years of industry experience, having worked previously with Solideal, CAMSO and Michelin. His background combines technical knowledge, commercial insight and a deep understanding of regional markets. The company believes his expertise and broad perspective will be instrumental in reinforcing its footprint and partnerships across Europe. CAMSO Construction looks forward to the positive impact Polesiak will make in his new role. His return to the organisation marks a strategic move to strengthen the company’s sales leadership and regional presence.

The company statement read: “With 26 years of experience across Solideal, CAMSO and Michelin, he brings a strong mix of technical expertise, commercial understanding and in-depth regional knowledge to the team. His experience and perspective will play an important role in strengthening our presence and partnerships across the region. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to the impact he will make. Welcome to CAMSO Construction, Krzysztof!”

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CAMSO Construction has announced the appointment of Jean Paul Molteni as Lead Sales for Southern Europe. In this new role, he will leverage his substantial background in marketing and sales from the industrial tyre industry. His deep familiarity with local market conditions, combined with a multicultural perspective, is expected to enhance client relationships and drive further expansion across the region. The company expressed confidence that Molteni’s broad expertise will deliver significant value to the team. His addition marks a strategic step in reinforcing CAMSO Construction’s presence and growth throughout Southern Europe.

The company statement read: “We’re excited to have him join the team and look forward to the value he will bring in this role. Welcome to CAMSO Construction, Jean Paul!”

“I’m truly honoured to join CAMSO Construction and be part of such a dynamic team. Excited for the opportunities ahead and looking forward to contributing to the company’s growth across Southern Europe. Thank you for the warm welcome!” said Molteni on his appointment.

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Tructyre has announced a significant leadership change, revealing that Elizabeth Nagel will assume the position of Managing Director effective 1 July 2026. She joins the company directly from her current role as Manufacturing Transformation Officer at Michelin’s headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, bringing with her a background steeped in high-level industrial strategy and operational overhaul.

Prior to her tenure at Michelin, which began in 2023, Nagel spent over a decade at Corning, the United States-based materials science corporation. During her time there, she took on multiple influential leadership roles spanning manufacturing, innovation and business development. Her career at Corning saw her leading extensive growth initiatives, managing global teams and steering complex industrial transformations, thereby building a robust foundation in large-scale project execution and organisational change. This combination of experience from two global industrial powerhouses positions her to drive Tructyre’s next phase of development.

Commenting on her appointment, Nagel said, “Tructyre is a business with strong momentum and significant potential, and I’m excited to get started. This also marks my first opportunity to work in the UK, and I’m looking forward to collaborating closely with the team to build on that strong foundation, strengthen performance across the business and accelerate the next phase of growth. We will continue to prioritise our people, safety, quality and operational excellence while bringing a strong focus on agility, continuous improvement and customer value. I believe there is a real opportunity to build on Tructyre’s strengths and position the business for long-term success by delivering even greater value for our customers.”

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MAXAM Tire has named Chris Rhoades as its new Zone Sales Director for the Northern region, a move that underscores the company’s dedication to expanding its footprint and enhancing customer service within the speciality tyre aftermarket. The appointment reflects a broader strategy to strengthen leadership and competitive positioning in the sector.

Rhoades brings over 25 years of international industry experience and a well-established reputation as a leading voice in the tyre business. His leadership credentials include being elected to two separate terms on the Tire Industry Association Board of Directors. Most recently at BKT Tires, he managed strategic growth in complex and highly technical off the road markets, where he aligned regional execution with global strategy, led cross functional teams and consistently delivered measurable revenue increases.

In his new capacity, Rhoades will direct all sales operations across the Northern region, collaborating closely with customers and partners to ensure performance, service and support remain synonymous with the MAXAM Tire brand. His appointment signals a focused effort to drive results through experienced leadership and deep market knowledge.

Jimmy McDonnell, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, MAXAM Tire, said, “We are excited to welcome Chris to the MAXAM team. Chris brings deep industry knowledge, proven leadership and a strong customer-first mindset that will create immediate value for our partners. His experience and vision will play an important role as we continue to grow our presence, strengthen relationships and expend the MAXAM brand across the market.”

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