Mercedes-Benz SA CEO moves to global role, Kgotle steps in as successor
Image: Mercedes Benz/Facebook
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) CEO and executive director of manufacturing, Andreas Brand, will be stepping down at the end of November to take up a global executive post within the German automotive group.
Brand, who has led MBSA since 2022, will move to Stuttgart, Germany, where he will assume the role of Executive: Production Network CKD and Mid Volume.
In this new position, he will oversee seven of Mercedes-Benz AG's global manufacturing operations, including continued strategic oversight of the East London manufacturing plant.
He will remain in his current role until 30 November to ensure a seamless handover.
Brand joined the German automaker in 1997 in Rastatt, Germany, and has held several senior production and planning roles across the group.
His career spans international assignments, including a stint in Hungary during the launch of the Kecskemet plant, and work in the Sindelfingen Factory 56 paint shop. He also played a key role in programme planning during the COVID-19 pandemic and global semiconductor shortages.
Since taking the reins at MBSA, Brand has overseen a R13 billion investment into the East London plant and the rollout of the latest-generation C-Class model.
The board has announced that current HR and corporate affairs executive director, Abey Kgotle, will step into the CEO role from 1 December.
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Kgotle is a seasoned HR and corporate affairs executive with more than two decades of experience across both public and private sectors.
His track record includes senior roles at Lonmin, GrafTech, and Samancor Manganese, as well as time spent in HR management at the City of Johannesburg and Denel's Naschem division.
He has also served on the boards of Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa, and currently chairs Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
In addition, Kgotle leads the Automobile Employers Organisation (AMEO), which represents South Africa's original equipment manufacturers in collective labour engagements.
Chairperson of the MBSA board, Wilfried Porth, thanked Brand for his 'steadfast contribution and years of committed service,' and wished Kgotle well as he takes over the reins.
MBSA has not yet named a successor to the executive director of manufacturing position, but said an announcement will be made in due course.
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