31.05.2023

Palfinger appoints COO

Austrian loader crane and truck mounted lift manufacturer Palfinger has appointed Alexander Susanek as its new chief operating officer,. He will work with chief executive Andreas Klauser and chief financial officer Felix Strohbichler, with responsibility for implementing the company’s ‘Strategy 2030’.
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Alexander Susanek

He takes over from Martin Zehnder, who departed last month, having decided not to extend his contract after almost 15 and a half years in the role.
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Martin Zehnder

Susanek joins the company from BMW where he was head of engines and electric drive units, he was managing director of BMW Motor in Steyr, Austria until unit the end of last year.
Having studied mechanical and industrial engineering he began his career in 2005 with MAN Truck & Bus and moved through a number of management positions at the company’s in the Munich area. In 2011 he was appointed as plant manager of the company’s heavy truck assembly plant in Niepolomice, Poland. In 2014 he left to join BMW as head of prototype construction back in Munich. After three and a half years in the job he was appointed as head of assembly at the BMW plant in Regensburg, moving to Steyr, Austria with BMW Motor in 2020.
Chairman Hubert Palfinger said: “With Alexander Susanek as COO, we are securing the transformation of Palfinger into a leading global technology company on a long term and sustainable basis. In particular, his extensive experience in various operational areas and key positions at both MAN Trucks and the BMW group makes him ideal for the position. Gaining this expertise and experience is a great asset for the supervisory board and the company. I am pleased to welcome him to the executive board.”
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(L-R) Hubert Palfinger, Alexander Susanek and Hannes Palfinger

Susanek added: “With its Vision and Strategy 2030, Palfinger is equipped with an ambitious answer to the challenges of the future. I am looking forward to the opportunity to proactively drive the company’s transformation and growth with my colleagues on the executive board. Together with the entire Palfinger team, we will continue to expand our global market leadership.”