Filter manufacturer Sogefi has announced the appointment of Mauro Prodi as Aftermarket General Manager.  Mauro has considerable experience of all aspects of the filtration business in the OE and Aftermarkets, having worked for Sogefi both in Spain and at its French headquarters. He will be a key part of the team implementing new strategies for the future development of Sogefi's activities under the direction of Mr Laurent Hebenstreit, appointed Chief Executive Officer last June.

Mauro Prodi replaces Andrea Taschini, who has left Sogefi to pursue other business interests. The board of Directors of Sogefi thanked Mr Taschini for his valued contribution to the development of its aftermarket business and wished him well for the future.

From October 1st, a new "lean" organisational structure brings all Sogefi Group activities into one of three product-oriented business units: Suspension Components, Air and Cooling and Filtration. The purpose of this is to create a lighter, simpler and more efficient structure throughout the Group which is even better able to anticipate customer needs and to respond effectively to their requirements.

In recognition of the highly complementary nature of Sogefi's OE and Aftermarket businesses, in the future they will work side by side as part of the now overarching Filtration Business Unit. This will increase the already strong relationship between the R&D centres and the plants, which develop and produce on the same lines of filtration products for OEM, OES and IAM channels. For IAM customers, this increased integration will facilitate the implementation of projects designed to improve further service, logistics and warehouse optimisation.

Supporting this development, the Sogefi Aftermarket team has been strengthened by the recent recruitment of two new senior executives. Speaking about the new structure and appointments, Mauro Prodi said, “I am delighted to take up the challenge to manage this important next step in the development of the Aftermarket business. There are already many synergies between the OE and Aftermarket activities of Sogefi which are of considerable benefit to our customers. Bringing the two units closer together within a single business unit makes operational and commercial sense for the company and will benefit all our customers, who are the true heart of Sogefi's continued success."