New CEO For Poclain

French hydraulic and powertrain manufacturer the Poclain Group has named Frederic Michelland to the position of chief executive officer.

Michelland began his career in 1989 in the banking sector in France and abroad. After several financial functions at GDF Suez (Engie today), he joined Nexans as group chief financial officer, Purchasing and Information Systems. Later he assumed the operational functions of director of the Americas area and then of the worldwide major projects (high-voltage) activity.

 In 2013, he took over the general management of Latecoere Group, a specialized aeronautical components manufacturer. Over the two last years, Michelland held the position of vice-president of business development for Europe at the American aeronautical supplier Spirit Aerosystems. Michelland graduated from Sciences Po Paris and INSEAD.

 “Frederic Michelland’s arrival comes at an important milestone in our Group’s life,” said Laurent Bataille, chairman of Poclain. “The expectations of our machine manufacturers’ customers towards their equipment are increasingly more exacting. In the uncertain context of our global business environment, it is fundamental both to refocus our strengths by continuing to develop our skills and know-how in hydraulics and mechanics, and at the same time, open up to new growth opportunities around our core business as a power transmission designer and manufacturer.  

“We welcome, for the first time in a long time, a chief executive officer, from outside the founding family of the Poclain Group,” said. “Today, as always, our family remains very invested in the long-term management of our organization as demonstrated by the strong commitment of the new generation.”