Linglong appoints Jean Paul Spijker director sales and marketing Specialty Tire Europe

Jean Paul Spijker joined Linglong Germany GmbH on 1 December 2023 as director of sales and marketing in the Specialty Tire segment. The Chinese manufacturer said Spijker brings OTR, industrial, construction machinery and agricultural tyre expertise into its burgeoning European organisation. It adds that he is “committed to its ambitious growth plans in Europe.”

Spijker is 58 years old, a trained mechanical engineer with many years of experience in the tyre industry. His previous positions including vice president sales global OEM at Alliance Tire Europe; managing director at Mitas within the Trelleborg Group; and most recently as country manager Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Benelux for Maxam, which belongs to Sailun Group.

Speaking about his move to Linglong Germany, Spijker said: “Linglong is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world and has major growth targets, especially in Europe. With the opening of the first tyre factory in Europe, which is one of the largest and most modern in the world, Linglong underlines the extraordinary importance of Europe for the group. I am happy being part of the Linglong team and pleased to be responsible for the Specialty Tires segment across Europe at Linglong Germany GmbH with immediate effect.”