A LEADING international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry, Mahle has appointed a new managing director at its South African operation. After 28 years with the company, five of which were as managing director, Alex Holmes has left Mahle SA and Jürgen Wolf has stepped into the position from October 23.

A wealth of experience in various areas of the automotive supplier business is what Wolf brings to his new position as the managing director of Mahle SA. His career has demonstrated his ability to adapt and to be agile in adjusting to new business processes as well as contributing to the transformation of society.

Wolf is no stranger to Mahle having served most recently as the director of project house thermal management, where he built up a cross-functional expert team for the thermal management modules. Prior to this, he was the global director of product development engine cooling which saw him apply the development of cooling systems for global OEMs and which included development locations in Germany, Poland, USA, China, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Mexico, whilst serving as a member of the international executive committee of the Mahle Group.

“This is a brilliant opportunity to enhance and drive the growth of Mahle SA while making a positive impact on the communities that contribute to the company’s success,” comments Wolf, “Mahle has a proud history in South Africa and I am confident that my experience will further contribute to the successes that Mahle SA has enjoyed.”

Wolf is undaunted by the challenges that face South Africa in the current economic climate and believes that his global experience will serve him well in navigating the unique challenges that he may encounter.

Founded in 1920, the technology group is working on the climate-neutral mobility of tomorrow, with a focus on the strategic areas of electrification and thermal management as well as further technology fields to reduce CO2 emissions, such as fuel cells or highly efficient combustion engines that also run on hydrogen or synthetic fuels.  Today, one in every two vehicles globally is equipped with Mahle components.

Mahle generated sales of more than EUR 12 billion in 2022. The company is represented with approx. 72,000 employees at 152 production locations and 12 major research and development centres in more than 30 countries.