MAHLE, a leading automotive supplier, has announced a significant leadership transition. At a Supervisory Board meeting on 25 September 2025, Dr. Michael Macht was elected as the new Chairman, a role he will officially begin on 1 January 2026. He will succeed Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker, who is retiring after nearly three decades with the company, first as CEO and more recently as Chairman.

The appointment of Macht, a seasoned veteran of the automotive industry, comes as part of a carefully planned succession process. Junker, who has served on the Supervisory Board for 10 years, has been preparing Macht for the role over the last few months. Macht is no stranger to MAHLE, having been a member of its Supervisory Board since 2020.

“It has been a great honour for me to serve MAHLE for almost three decades, first as CEO and then as Supervisory Board Chairman. Following the successful reorganisation, I see the group well-positioned for the future with its strategy MAHLE 2030+ and a clearly defined product portfolio. I would like to thank the entire workforce, the Management Board and my direct colleagues for the trust they have placed in me for many years and to wish the company a good future in challenging times. I would also like to thank my successor Dr. Michael Macht for his willingness to take over as Chairman and wish him a sure hand in the performance of this demanding task,” said the departing Chairman of the Supervisory Board Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker.

Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO, MAHLE, said, “Prof. Heinz K. Junker, who is now leaving MAHLE, is a personality who has been closely connected with this company. On behalf of the MAHLE workforce and the Management Board, I would like to thank him for his extraordinary passion and the dedication with which he has shaped our company over three decades. With farsightedness and untiring commitment, he has made a key contribution to the success of MAHLE and most recently guided the company through its transformation with extreme care. I would like to thank him for his close cooperation and his confidence in our Management Board. Even in challenging times, we could always rely on his expertise and support. For his future, he has the sincere best wishes of the entire MAHLE team.”

Boris Schwürz, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, MAHLE, said, “On behalf of the employee representatives, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Heinz K. Junker for the many years of trustful cooperation. We wish him all the best for the future. We look forward to constructive cooperation with Dr. Michael Macht to position MAHLE for the future in these challenging times.”

This strategic plan, which focuses on electrification, thermal management and sustainable internal combustion engines, was largely shaped under Junker’s leadership. He also oversaw the company's largest acquisition to date, the purchase of the former Behr Group, which significantly bolstered Mahle’s thermal management business.

Macht brings a wealth of experience to his new position. A mechanical engineer by trade, he began his career at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in 1991, rising through the ranks to become its CEO in 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he also served on the Board of Management of Volkswagen. His extensive background in the automotive sector makes him an ideal successor to guide Mahle through the ongoing industry transformation.

Dr. Michael Macht, said, “On behalf of the entire MAHLE Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Prof. Heinz K. Junker and to express my sincere appreciation for his work as Chairman. In his many years as Chairman, he has guided the Supervisory Board through demanding phases with considerable commitment and expertise and a calm hand, laying the foundations for the future-oriented development of the company. He has my best wishes for the future.”

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Highway Roop Precision Technologies, a Carlyle-backed manufacturer of precision torque and control components, has completed the acquisition of Chamundi Die Cast, which manufactures complex aluminium die-cast components for automotive and industrial applications.

The transaction adds integrated aluminium die-casting and machining capabilities to Highway Roop's existing forging and precision-machining operations across steering, transmission and powertrain systems.

The acquisition expands Highway Roop’s product portfolio into lightweight vehicle solutions and electric vehicle components, while establishing a manufacturing footprint in South India alongside Chamundi's existing customer base in India, North America and Europe.

At present, Chamundi exports 60 percent of its products to global markets, while domestic business accounts for 40 percent. Interestingly, 98 percent of its business comes from the automotive industry, while the remaining comes from non-automotive sector.

Mohit Oswal, Chairman, Highway Roop, said, “This acquisition is an important milestone in our journey to build Highway Roop into a scaled, diversified precision manufacturing platform anchored in mission-critical torque and control applications. Chamundi’s capabilities and customer relationships complement our existing strengths and strengthen our ability to serve customers across automotive and industrial applications. Together, we are building a stronger platform for the next phase of growth.”

Dharmesh Arora, Group CEO and Director, Highway Roop, said, “Chamundi meaningfully strengthens Highway Roop’s capabilities around our core focus on torque and control applications. Its integrated aluminum die-casting and precision-machining capabilities expand our ability to deliver complex, lightweight engineered solutions across vehicle technologies. Its South India manufacturing base also diversifies our footprint, brings us closer to key customers, and strengthens the resilience of our manufacturing network and supply chain. We are delighted to welcome the Chamundi team to Highway Roop and look forward to building a stronger platform together.”

Yasin Khan, Managing Director, Chamundi, said, “Over four decades, Chamundi has built a strong business anchored in engineering excellence, a committed workforce and long-standing customer relationships. We are pleased to partner with Highway Roop for the next phase of our journey and will continue to hold a stake in the combined entity. Highway Roop’s complementary capabilities and scale will enable us to build on this foundation, deepen our relationships with customers, and create new opportunities for our employees, as we grow together.”

Amit Jain, Partner and Head, Carlyle India Advisors, said, “This transaction reflects Carlyle’s continued commitment to building a scaled, differentiated precision manufacturing platform in India. Highway Roop has established itself as a trusted partner to global OEMs for mission-critical torque and control components, and Chamundi adds complementary capabilities that further strengthen its customer proposition. We remain focused on supporting Highway Roop as it scales its capabilities and builds towards becoming one of India’s leading precision manufacturing companies serving automotive and industrial customers globally.”

Following the completion of the acquisition, Chamundi's leadership will retain an equity stake in the combined entity as part of the integration into Highway Roop's global supply platform.

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American component supplier Stoneridge has appointed Uwe Brandenburg as its Global Vice-President, Engineering and Innovation, effective 2 November 2026. Brandenburg will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Natalia Noblet and join the company’s executive management team.

In his new role, Brandenburg will oversee Stoneridge’s global engineering division, managing product development, technology innovation and product roadmaps across vision systems, safety technology, vehicle intelligence and connectivity platforms for commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment.

Natalia Noblet said, "Uwe is a recognised voice in automotive electronics and engineering leadership, with a proven track record of building world-class engineering teams and delivering breakthrough innovations in ADAS, autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles. His extensive experience bringing next-generation radar, camera, safety electronics and AI-powered platforms to market, combined with his strategic vision and commitment to operational excellence, make him an exceptional addition to our Executive Team. We are excited to leverage his expertise to accelerate Stoneridge’s technology roadmap and strengthen our competitive position in vehicle intelligence and safety.”

Brandenburg comes with over 25 years of experience in Tier 1 automotive electronics, software engineering and vehicle systems. Prior to joining Stoneridge, he served as Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice-President for Automotive and Manufacturing at DXC Technology.

His previous positions include Global Head of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer for advanced driver assistance systems at Valeo, alongside engineering leadership roles at Continental, Autoliv and TRW Automotive focused on radar, camera and safety electronics systems.

Uwe Brandenburg said, “Stoneridge has a clear technology strategy, a highly talented engineering organisation, and a mission centred on improving safety, reducing emissions and increasing vehicle efficiency for our customers. When cutting-edge technology is paired with the right team and a purpose that truly matters, we have what it takes to create strong value for our customers. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and helping the team deliver the next generation of vision and safety solutions.”

Brandenburg holds a degree in Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Constance and currently serves on the board of directors of BlincVision.

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS will participate in CAMX 2026, the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, held in Atlanta from 22 to 24 September. As North America's largest exhibition for composite and advanced materials, it expects over 500 companies and roughly 7,000 visitors. The company has exhibited every year since the event's debut in 2014, strengthening its North American presence.

At this year's show, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS will display 3K carbon fibre, 3K fabrics and composites for drones and high-pressure vessels for satellites. Carbon fibre applications are expanding across automotive wheels, hoods and brake discs, sports goods such as hockey sticks, pickleball rackets and surfboards, wire cores and increasingly aerospace, defence and drones.

TANSOME, independently developed in 2011 as Korea's first proprietary carbon fibre, weighs one-quarter as much as steel while offering ten times the strength and seven times the elasticity. Commercial production began in Jeonju in 2013, followed by a China base in 2024 and planned Vietnam operations in late 2026, ensuring a stable global supply chain.

International certifications validate the company's capabilities, including IATF 16949 in 2019 and AS9100 in 2021. In 2022, it developed H3065, a T-1000-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fibre, becoming only the third company worldwide after Japan and the United States to do so.

Jin-dal Lim, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “CAMX 2026 is an important platform for sharing the latest technologies and market trends with leading companies and customers in the global composite materials industry and exploring new business opportunities. We will provide differentiated carbon fibre solutions for advanced industries, including aerospace and aviation, based on our high-performance carbon fibre technologies and stable supply capabilities.”

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Imperial Auto Industries Limited has appointed James Gaylord as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Imperial Auto USA Corp. In his new role, Gaylord will lead Imperial Auto’s operations across the Americas and drive the company’s next phase of growth in the region. He will report to Vikram Wagh, Managing Director & CEO, Imperial Auto Industries Limited.

Gaylord's mandate would include expanding Imperial Auto’s presence into new markets across the American region while driving significant revenue growth over the coming years. He will also focus on strengthening the company’s product engineering and new product development capabilities in the Americas, while leading initiatives to localise the supply chain, enhance purchasing capabilities and build strategic partnerships with suppliers to support the company’s regional growth.

With nearly three decades of experience across the automotive and manufacturing sectors, Gaylord brings with him proven expertise in business development, operational excellence, transformation and growth. Prior to joining Imperial Auto, he served as the Global Sales Director at Gentex. He has also held leadership roles at organisations including Johnson Controls, ATI and Tenneco.
 

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