Big changes at Toyota Motors Europe, due to come into effect in January, include the appointment of a new director of vehicle logistics following the announcement that Emile Benaim will retire at the end of the year.
Benaim’s successor is Levent Yuksel, who will take responsibility of both the Production Parts Logistics and Vehicle Logistics groups in a reorganisation of the role that will more closely align the vehicle logistics group with manufacturing with the aim of operational improvement. His title will be director, Production Parts Logistics and Vehicle Logistics Group, Toyota Motor Europe.
The Vehicle Logistics Group itself will now report to Cyran Vanderhaeghen, who will retain the title of general manager, Vehicle Logistics Planning. The division comprises both the Vehicle Logistics Group head office functions (which Vanderhaeghen already oversees) and operations teams, including those responsible for the company’s eight hubs in Europe and the European Quality Team.
Benaim, who took over responsibility for vehicle logistics in 2008, joined Toyota Motor Europe in 2003 and has more than 20 years sales, marketing and logistics experience, including previous positions with Ford and Fiat.
Meanwhile, Jean-Christophe Deville will move from his position as general manager, Projects & Strategy Planning, Purchasing at TME to take charge of supplier production efficiency, also from the beginning of January. His new role – general manager, Supplier Production Management, Purchasing – involves disseminating Toyota Production System methods within the supplier base and improving supplier quality. The role includes the management of three teams across Europe compromising 70+ people in total.
Guillaume Jacques will succeed Deville as General Manager, Projects & Strategy Planning, Purchasing.
In a further move at the company, Alain Uyttenhoven, currently serving as vice president of Toyota Deutschland, has been appointed vice president TME as from the start of January 2011. His successor will be Ulrich Selzer, currently managing director for Lexus in Germany.
