Alliance revamping structure, management

MUMBAI, India (Feb. 24, 2015) — Alliance Tire Group (ATG) is realigning its business along geographic lines, with North America, Europe and emerging markets as the key business units as it drives to double sales to more than $1 billion by 2018.

Newly hired Nagesh Basavanhalli, formerly with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), will lead the group's “emerging markets region,” while Peter Baur moves to ATG from EDE International A.G. to take take the reins of the European market.  

They join James Clark — who was named to head the North American business unit late last year — in filling out this new business structure.

ATG claims to be the fastest-growing company in the off-highway tires category and aims to double its business by 2018, emerging as a global leader in the sector. ATG reported sales of $525 million in fiscal 2013.

Announcing the new structure, CEO Yogesh Mahansaria said the tire maker “believes that these three regions present unique opportunities and challenges which require deep understanding of regional dynamics and astute leadership to drive growth, as we progress towards our target of exceeding $1 billion in revenues by 2018.”

Based at the corporate office in Mumbai, Mr. Basavanhalli will be responsible for developing and executing the strategy to grow business in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, India, South Africa and Brazil.

Mr. Basavanhalli was president and managing director for FCA's Indian operations. He started his career with Chrysler U.S. and in his last role was instrumental in reestablishing the company's Indian operations after the auto maker parted ways with Tata Motors Ltd. He was responsible for developing the Fiat brand strategy, exclusive dealer network and introducing new products into the Indian market.

As European president, Mr. Baur is tasked with building out the distributor network in the region and advancing relationships with OE partners, ATG said.

He most recently was CEO of EDE International, responsible for expanding its subsidiaries and spinning off the firm's international business into an independent stock company.

Mr. Baur brings 29 years of executive experience in varied fields such as energy consulting, electrical componentry and construction equipment.

Mr. Clark joined ATG in October 2014 as president, North America, responsible for guiding the company's market growth in this region.

Alliance Tire Americas Inc., as part of its continued growth plans for the western U.S., recently hired tire industry veteran Michael Bicknell to fill the newly created post of regional sales manager-West Coast.

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This report appeared on the website of European Rubber Journal, a U.K.-based sister publication of Tire Business.