Former managing director of Shatterprufe and PG Glass David Coffey has been appointed managing director and chief executive of Bel-Essex Corporation’s automotive and component manufacturing division.

Former managing director of Shatterprufe and PG Glass David Coffey has been appointed managing director and chief executive of Bel-Essex Corporation’s automotive and component manufacturing division.

His tenure at the subsidiary, Bel-Essex Engineering, will commence on June 1, the company confirmed. Coffey’s is the latest move among top management at Shatterprufe since the company started a major restructuring operation and announced a 35 million-rand upgrade of its Port Elizabeth plant last year.

Coffey has bought a “substantial amount” of shares in Bel-Essex and will later this year incorporate a black empowerment deal into the company.

He will also take up an executive committee position where he will be responsible for strategic planning and the governance of the group’s automotive operations that include D&B Wiring and PowerComp. Bel-Essex Engineering produces original equipment for the automotive industry and has fixed contracts with Volkswagen, GM, DaimlerChrysler and Ford.

Bel-Essex group chief Chris Steenkamp described Coffey as the perfect catalyst to take the company’s automotive division forward.

"We are seeking true participative empowerment within our business through which participants will take up value-adding executive positions, not just equity,” Steenkamp said. “Coffey is the kind of leader who can make this happen."

Coffey started his career in 1987 with Dorbyl Automotive Technologies and progressed to MD of the company in 2000. He became MD of Shatterprufe PE in 2001. In addition, he also holds a number of key public offices within the automotive industry, including that of president of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam).

Original article from Car