ZF Aftermarket introduces new Executive Board

The Executive Board for the newly-created ZF division, ZF Aftermarket, has been named. Steering the new aftermarket organisation as of 1 January 2017 under division head Helmut Ernst, are Neil Fryer (senior vice-president IAM, OES, and market and product), Evelyne Zaffino (vice-president human resources and Andreas Koetz (senior vice-president manufacturing, materials management and quality. Thomas Henne, the current senior vice-president finance, process-, IT-management and compliance of ZF Services, will work towards transferring this management role to Daniele Pontarollo by 1 March 2017.

“The Executive Board members of our new aftermarket organisation pull together generous automotive sector expertise and experience from ZF, TRW, and beyond,” comments Helmut Ernst. “This will be an absolute asset as we continue to expand our product and service portfolio, with a focus on delivering our global customers with the entire parts and services they need from a single source.”

Ernst thanked Thomas Henne for his involvement and support in the growth of the aftermarket business as he takes six months’ leave due to personal reasons: “Thomas Henne built up a structure within his responsibilities that enables sustainable growth of the aftermarket business. I appreciate him taking the time to support his successor Daniele Pontarollo in making himself familiar with the day-to-day operations as well as with the international locations and customers.”

The ZF Aftermarket Board:

Helmut Ernst began as an apprentice in Mechanical Engineering and went on to graduate in Mechanical Engineering, Precision Mechanics and Petroleum Chemistry from the University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany. Ernst joined Continental in 1985, became head of production and then progressed into leadership roles at Continental Automotive Aftermarket, with a focus on Europe, Asia and the USA. He became vice-president of the Independent Aftermarket at Continental, and managing director of Continental Aftermarket GmbH. He was also responsible for the regional sales organisation of Continental’s Commercial Vehicles and Aftermarket Business Unit. Ernst joined ZF in 2014.

Neil Fryer graduated from the University of London with a Degree in English Literature and was awarded his MBA from Warwick Business School in 1989. After gaining automotive aftermarket experience at Lucas and TRW, Fryer went on to become vice-president aftersales Europe at Fiat Parts and Services, and then co-founder and acting partner of the consultant company Management 3. He joined TRW Parts and Services as global marketing and engineering director in 2014 and he became vice-president of TRW Global Aftermarket in 2015.

Evelyne Zaffino earned her Degree in Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting Studies from the Université Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO) in Angers, France. After starting in personnel and administration at TRW Braking Systems in 1986, Zaffino progressed from the role of human resources manager at TRW Braking Systems, to become human resources manager, responsible for Europe, at TRW Engine Components, and more recently, director of human resources at TRW Aftermarket in Paris.

Andreas Koetz was awarded his Diploma in Industrial Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim, Germany and joined the former Boge GmbH in controlling, in 1992, where he went on to become head of logistics. Koetz took over as plant manager in 2002 at ZF Friedrichshafen AG and became production line manager in 2012.

Daniele Pontarollo earned his MBA from the Business School CUOA Foundation in 2002, after graduating at the University of Padova, Italy. Afterwards he started as an international management trainee at ZF Friedrichshafen AG. He has since operated in different functions inside finance and controlling in Germany, Brazil and Mexico. In 2009 he became the chief financial officer in Mexico and since 2011 he has been responsible for finance, controlling, IT, and human resources as vice-president for ZF Marine.

Thomas Henne graduated in Business from Cologne University in 1990. After a series of internships in Cambridge, England, followed by four years as an internal consultant on business processes and structure at Colonia Insurance, Henne joined ZF Friedrichshafen in 1995. Since that time he has served as head of internal revision, head of controlling and head of corporate controlling. Henne has been senior vice-president finance, process-, IT-management and compliance ZF Services, since 2011.