07.10.2019

New CEO for Konecranes

Port and overhead crane manufacturer Konecranes has appointed Rob Smith as chief executive. He does not start until the beginning of February, but the current chief executive Panu Routila has left the company today. Chief financial officer and deputy chief executive Teo Ottola, will stand in as interim chief executive until February.

Smith joins the company from agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO (MF, Fendt, White) where he has been general manager, Europe and the Middle East since starting with the company in 2013.
Prior to that he was general manager of the global Engine Components Division of TRW Automotive and chairman of TRW Automotive Germany. He hold dual German and US citizenship.
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Robert Smith

He began his career as a combat engineer officer in the United States Army, moving into the automotive industry in the 1980s with BMW and LucasVarity, with a focus on supply chain and operations. In 2001 he joined Bombardier Transportation’s overhaul division, later moving to Tyco Electronics as general manager of aftermarket parts and material repair, and then TRW.

Chairman Christoph Vitzthum said: "Konecranes has concluded the integration following the MHPS acquisition that took place almost three years ago. The company is now ready for the next phase in its development, and for that I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to Rob Smith, who is a global leader with a track record in achieving market leadership positions through innovative business strategies, deep expertise in digitalisation and strong customer focus.”

“Panu Routila has successfully led Konecranes through a major transition on the company’s growth path, and on behalf of the Board I want to warmly thank Panu for his work to make this happen."

Smith added: "It will be a great privilege to lead Konecranes on its path of profitable growth. Konecranes is a global industrial company with committed, talented people and impressive technology. I am excited about working with an exceptional team of leaders to take this special company and our customers’ businesses to new levels of achievement, success and growth."

Vertikal Comment

This sudden departure of Panu Routila appears to have been a surprise, although a recruitment process has clearly been underway for the company to be able to announce his successor. The company has not commented on the sudden change.