Former Michelin Director, Rainer Harter has been appointed by Giti Tire as General Manager D-A-CH with lead responsibility for German, Austrian and Swiss markets.
He is tasked with developing passenger car business following the manufacturer's structured retail approach across its GT Radial, Primewell and Runway brands, along with building truck and bus business in the mid-range segment with a focus on creating added-value services for fleets.
Reporting directly to Richard Lyons, Managing Director - Europe, Rainer will be based in Siegburg, Germany, and will sit with the business's European Management Team.
Rainer joins from Michelin where he held the position of Commercial Director responsible for the truck, bus and earthmover business for in the D-A-CH region, prior to which he was German sales director for the Michelin retail network of Euromaster.
Rainer said: "I am excited to join the Giti Tire team at a very important time in the company's development. Our aim is a 10% market share by 2015 for the GT Radial brand for both the passenger car and truck and bus divisions, alongside growth targets for Primewell and Runway.
"The goals are very realistic, and will be achieved through supporting our partners, excellent services and reliable and durable relationships with the emphasis on partnership. I am sure, along with our partners, that we will achieve a very strong position in the D-A-CH region.
Richard added: "We are delighted to welcome an individual with the calibre, knowledge and market insight of Rainer. It is testament to Giti Tire's position and ambitions in the European marketplace that we can attract such experienced, high-profile personnel.
"He is joining a very strong unit, one that has been supplemented this year by a series of important appointments, especially the TBR sales team. The foundations are definitely in place to make great strides forward and further improve our market position."