Management Board of the Brose Group
CEO of the Brose Group
After graduating with a degree in economics from the University of Würzburg, he joined Brose as a logistics planner in 1990. From 1994 to 1996, Jürgen Otto, in his capacity as general plant manager, was responsible for planning and running the JIS factory in Meerane/Saxony. This facility won two consecutive awards in the "Factory of the Year" competition: in 1999, the plant came top in the category "Management of Resources" and a year later, it was the overall winner.
From 1999 to 2001, Jürgen Otto was responsible for the Coburg production facility. During this time, he was jointly responsible for the reorganization of the location as well as for planning and implementing the "Brose Working World" in the development and administration areas. From 2002 to 2005, Jürgen Otto headed the seat adjuster business, which underwent an exceptionally successful development on account of its enhanced global orientation and innovative achievements.
Under his guidance, Brose purchased the electric motor business from Continental/Siemens VDO in 2008, integrating it into the group after extensive restructuring measures. With this step, Brose expanded its range of products considerably and is now one of the biggest suppliers for efficient mechatronic systems for the vehicle body and interior.
Commercial Administration
Volker Herdin studied industrial engineering and management at the Würzburg/Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences. He joined Brose in 1995 as a product controller in Coburg.
In 1996 he relocated to Brose’s North American headquarters in Detroit/USA. In 1999, after having worked in a number of different management roles, he was appointed Vice President Administration for the North America region. He has been in charge of administration in the Drives business division in Würzburg since 2008.
Business Division Drives
Reinhard Kretschmer studied physics at the Philipps University in Marburg. He has more than 20 years of managerial experience working for leading international corporations in Germany and abroad. Before joining Brose, Kretschmer was responsible for the division Electric Motor Drives at Continental AG.
Production
Dr. Reinhard Meschkat studied mechanical engineering at the Technische Universität München and joined the Brose Group as a trainee in 1986. He subsequently held several managerial posts in Development and Production.
After working in management for the French automotive supplier Faurecia and the ignition technology specialist Beru, he returned to Brose in May 2009 and was appointed head of production of the Drives business division and general plant manager of the Würzburg production facility.
Business Division Seat Systems
Periklis Nassios (52) has been in charge of the seat system business division since August 1, 2006.
Greek-born Periklis Nassios graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt. He joined Brose in 1991 as a project manager responsible for sales in France. In 1997, he became a customer team director supporting different automakers and seat producers. Moreover, in 2001, he was made deputy to the head of the seat adjuster business division.
Business Division Door Systems
Kurt Sauernheimer (53) has been head of the door system business division at Hallstadt/Bamberg since 1999.
Kurt Sauernheimer graduated with a joint degree in business administration and engineering from Aalen University of Applied Sciences. He joined Brose as a sales engineer in 1987. From 1993 to 1999 he was in charge of the corporate group’s purchasing activities.
Purchasing
Sandro Scharlibbe has a degree in business administration from Coburg University of Applied Sciences and joined Brose in 1996 as a salesperson in the customer team. From 2010 to 2012, after having held a number of managerial positions in the Seat Systems business division, he was responsible for drives development/purchasing (window regulators, seat and closure systems). Prior to his appointment to the Management Board, Sandro Scharlibbe was Vice President Purchasing of the Brose Group.
President Brose North America
John Dunn graduated with degrees in engineering from Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin. After joining Brose North America as Director for General Motors Door System business in 1998, he was appointed General Manager of the Chicago plant in 2002.
From 2007, John Dunn was Chief Operating Officer in charge of production sites in the North American region. For two years during this period, he also held the position of Vice President responsible for global door system sales to General Motors.
President Brose Asia
Thomas Spangler (48) has been responsible for the Asian growth markets China, Korea and Japan, as well as for the market development of the ASEAN countries in Southeast Asia since July 1st, 2010. Brose is steadily intensifying its business activities in these emerging markets.
Thomas Spangler graduated with a degree in material sciences from the Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg. He joined the Brose Group as a trainee in 1992 and later headed production activities at the Querétaro plant in Mexico from 1994 to 1998. Thomas Spangler was general plant manager of the Coburg production facility until 2005. Prior to his appointment as President Asia, he was Executive Vice-President of Production and thus responsible for production facilities worldwide.