19.02.2026

New leadership for Atlas

Brahim Stitou, the managing director / chief executive of German loader crane manufacturer Atlas, currently in administration, has left the business after 12 years with the company. He has been replaced by a new leadership triumvirate consisting of Bob Litchev, Uri Toudjarov, and Volker Walter. See: Atlas enters administration
Volker Walter joined Atlas in 2024 from MBB- Palfinger Tail lifts and took over as plant and design manager at the manufacturer’s Delmenhorst plant at the start of 2025. He becomes a managing director.

Uri Toudjarov has been running his Uriquip distribution related company since 2023, but started out as a sales director at Terex Cranes in 1995 and then vice president of international sales, during the heady acquisition days under Fil Filipov. In 2007, he moved to Global Crane sales as vice president when it landed the international distribution rights for Zoomlion crawler crane and Rough Terrain cranes, taking over as president in 2009. He also spent 10 years with Bigge Cranes & Rigging, looking after international sales. He now takes over as managing director of Atlas.

Bob Litchev becomes chairman of the management board. He spent 12 years with Manitex International and was responsible for its acquisition spree that brought in PM cranes and Valla, among others. He also has a good deal of experience with company restructurings. He stepped down and at the end of 2016, but has continued to run his own company BGI.

The company stated that it is now placing a stronger focus on performance, product quality and reliability, as well as on long term partnerships.