Frank Gregory Appointed Sales Director at Kraiburg Austria

Kraiburg Austria has appointed a new management team for its Retreading Materials business unit, with Frank Gregory becoming sales director. The move took effect on 1 January and saw the eight-year Kraiburg veteran promoted from the position of sales manager Central Europe.

While Gregory will oversee all sales activities he will be supported by five sales managers who sell the quality Kraiburg and Kraiburg plus compounds in all relevant European and select international markets. As well as Frank Gregory, Michael Gorski and Michael Schwämmlein have also joined the new sales management team.

36-year old marketing and communication manager Michael Gorski, who has been with Kraiburg for 16 years, is now also head of sales management. 41-year old Michael Schwämmlein is now responsible for Technical Service, Plant Engineering and Product Assortment Policy.

The new management team reports directly to managing director Dr Andreas Starnecker, who, in addition to his overall responsibility for Kraiburg Austria, also manages the company’s Retreading Materials and “Tyre Compounds“.

Former sales director and vice managing director Thorsten Schmidt is now responsible for “product and process development retreading.” In this role he will manage the newly set-up sales division “Products and processes for EM applications“ and is developing a new Kraiburg Austria division – “the development and marketing of new Kraiburg products and innovations.

Two other long-time Kraiburg employees were also appointed to management positions on 1 January. Franz Eder, who has been with Kraiburg for 24 years, manages the divisions Production, Logistics, Central Controlling and Information Technology. Erwin Hitzginger, who has been with Kraiburg for 19 years, is responsible for Quality Management and Operative Quality Assurance, Personnel, Contracts Department and Environmental and Operational Safety.

Despite setting up two new sales divisions last year (Products and processes for EM applications and new products) retreading remains the company’s core business, representing around 60 per cent of Kraiburg Austria’s total turnover. “Our strategy remains the same,” says new sales director Frank Gregory. “We do all we can to be a good and honest partner to our clients providing technical expertise, a strategic perspective, effectiveness and personal contact. Our priority as an independent manufacturer is to offer the best possible products coupled with the best possible service. Ultimately, our clients’ success is our own success.”