In a significant move to bolster its sales operations and enhance customer experience in France, Apollo Tyres has announced a strategic shuffle in its leadership team. Olivier Pataud steps up as the new Country Sales Manager for France, taking the baton from Francois Hien, who transitions to spearhead Customer Experience Projects across the company’s diverse product groups within the country.
Pataud, who initially joined the Apollo Tyres team last year as a Key Account Manager for the Passenger Car Tyre division, has quickly made his mark. His deep understanding of the French market has been pivotal in elevating the presence of Apollo- and Vredestein-branded products across several key segments, including passenger cars, off-highway vehicles, and truck and bus radial tyres. This appointment comes as a testament to his exemplary performance and strategic vision for the company’s growth in the region.
With a rich career spanning nearly three decades in the tyre industry, Pataud brings to the table a wealth of experience, particularly in commercial development and distribution. Before joining Apollo Tyres, he served as the Commercial Director of Groupe MPSA for over two decades, a role that underscored his proficiency in steering a family-owned business in the tyre and automotive maintenance sector to new heights.
In his new capacity, Pataud will report directly to Domenico Gatti, Cluster Director for South West Europe, underscoring the strategic importance of the French market in Apollo Tyres’ European expansion plans. “I’m honoured to take the next step in my career and lead such an exciting part of the Apollo Tyre organisation,” expressed Pataud, acknowledging the solid foundation laid by his predecessor and expressing eagerness to drive further success.
Gatti praised Pataud's rapid ascent and contributions to the company, emphasizing his instrumental role in the sales team's success. “In just a short time, Olivier has proven himself to be an extremely valuable asset to the Apollo Tyres family. He brings a considerable amount of experience and value to our sales operation, and I have no doubt that he will play an important role in helping us meet our ambitious growth targets in the region,” Gatti remarked.
Francois Hien, the outgoing Country Sales Manager, is set to lead Customer Experience Projects for France, with plans to extend his expertise across Europe. Hien's tenure at Apollo Tyres, spanning 15 years, has been marked by significant achievements and steadfast leadership. His new role is expected to leverage his extensive experience in senior sales positions, including his time at PROVAC in France and Océ in France and the Netherlands, to enhance customer satisfaction and engagement across the board.
This leadership reorganization at Apollo Tyres not only signifies a strategic pivot towards intensified market penetration and customer engagement in France but also reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging seasoned talent to sustain growth and innovation in the competitive tyre industry.
