KOCHI, India (Oct. 23, 2014) — India's Apollo Tyres Ltd. has hired Mathias Heimann, a one-time adviser to Continental A.G., to oversee its business interests in Europe and the Americas and to be CEO of Apollo Vredestein B.V., Apollo's manufacturing and sales subsidiary in Enschede, Netherlands.
Mr. Heimann, an adviser for mergers and acquisitions from 1999 to 2002 for Conti, replaces Luis Ceneviz, who is leaving Apollo "to pursue his entrepreneurial dream," Apollo said. Mr. Ceneviz had been in charge of Apollo's activities in Europe and South Africa since October 2012.
Apollo Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar cited Mr. Heimann's “rich experience in the tire industry in particular and in multi-cultural environments in general” for Apollo's decision to hire him. He said these traits will be “of immense value to Apollo as we consolidate our current operations in Europe and prepare for the next phase of growth,” which will include the project to build a tire plant in Hungary.
Mr. Heimann will be based at Apollo's European Operations headquarters in Enschede. Europe represents about 28 percent of Apollo's global sales.
Emil Herbak, sales manager at Vredestein North America Inc. since October 2012, will report to Mr. Heimann, as he did prior to this to Mr. Ceneviz.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr. Heimann said: “With Apollo's investments in the manufacturing capabilities of the Enschede plant and expansion in Europe, coupled with significant investments in brands and marketing, I look forward to working with the team to rapidly expand our presence in the market and capture new opportunities.”
Mr. Heimann, 48, is a German national with more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and production. His career within the automotive industry has included OE suppliers as well as retail and service organizations for large international automobile companies in Europe and Asia.
During his time as an adviser to Continental, he reported to the vice president of finance advising on matters pertaining to Conti's tires, brakes and ContiTech businesses, according to his biography posted on the website of Schrader Group, where he most recently was employed.
Mr. Ceneviz was CEO of Apollo Tyres South Africa Ltd. before moving to Europe to succeed Rob Oudshoorn as CEO of Apollo Vredestein.
