On 1 July 2015, André Sobottka will be changing from Federal-Mogul to Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG to join the Board of Directors and will be responsible for Sales, Marketing and Communications. At the same time Michael Knopf, fully authorized representative of the company, will also be joining the Board of Directors. He will be responsible for the division, Company Organization, IT and New Business Fields.
André Sobottka, 48, is to be appointed to the Board of Directors at Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG. As of July 1, 2015, Sobottka will assume responsibility for Sales, Marketing and Communications on the Board, a role previously allocated to the Chairman of the Board. He is an expert in his field with many years of extensive experience in the Automotive Aftermarket and is the ideal choice to lead the Sales division at the Hamburg company. He has gained vast experience in his career including leading positions at Philips, Honeywell and also Federal-Mogul – where he was Managing Director North Europe. André Sobottka lives near to Hamburg, is married and has one son.
„We are very pleased to have André Sobottka in our management team. His expertise in the field of Sales and Automotive Aftermarket will provide important support for the next growth phase of our company“, said Dr. Karl J. Gaertner, Chairman of the Board at Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG.
On 1 July, Michael Knopf, 42, will also be appointed to the Board of Directors. Knopf, who up to now has been a fully authorized representative of the company, will take over the new division of Company Organization, IT and New Business Fields. Michael Knopf has been working at Wulf Gaertner Autoparts for over seven years. He was responsible for the successful implementation of the new IT strategy based on SAP and for the implementation of our process-oriented organizational structure. He is an experienced process, organizational and ERP expert. Before joining Wulf Gaertner Autoparts, Knopf worked at IDS Scheer AG and Eppendorf AG. His appointment ensures that Wulf Gaertner Autoparts can expand as a competent service company to meet the requirements of its customers. Michael Knopf is married and lives near Hamburg. „After the appointment of Marita Schwartze in 2011, we have again appointed a reliable and successful manager from our company to the Board: Michael Knopf“, said Dr. Karl J. Gaertner.
Exactly 20 years ago, Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG acquired the brand, MEYLE, completing the successful transition from exporter to trading house, with its own brands and its own production. The company has recorded significant increases in turnover with its core brand over the last five years. „With the two-digit percentage growth rate per year follows the organization and development of our company. We intend to progress and not stand still“, explained Dr. Karl J. Gaertner. „We look forward to working together with André Sobottka and to welcoming Michael Knopf to our team on the Board.“
