Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) just announced Andreas Engling as the company’s new CEO and executive director of manufacturing.

Current CEO Arno van der Merwe will start a new chapter in his career as President and CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC). Both these appointments will come into effect on 1 April 2017.

Van der Merwe succeeds Peter Schabert, who retires after 31 years at Daimler AG. Schabert has been President and CEO of BBAC since August 2015.

“We have reached one of our most significant milestones to date under the lead of Peter Schabert,” Hubertus Troska, a board member of Daimler AG in China said. Troska said that last year China became the largest market for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

“We are deeply grateful for his [van der Merwe’s] commitment in Germany and in China and we are now looking forward to the collaboration with Mr van der Merwe,” Troska said.

Van der Merwe brings many years of experience in automotive production. Markus Schäfer, a divisional board member of Mercedes-Benz Cars in the production and supply chain management division said: “We are convinced that Arno van der Merwe will continue the successful work of Peter Schabert. He brings valuable inspiration for the joint venture in China, thanks to his experience as CEO and executive director manufacturing in South Africa.

“Colleagues in Beijing will benefit from his expertise and know-how, in particular at a stage when we are further increasing our capacities and flexibility,” he added.

Van der Merwe has been MBSA’s CEO and executive director of manufacturing since March 2014. Prior to that, he held the position of plant leader from 2011 to 2014.

MBSA said that van der Merwe’s leadership at the East London plant saw benchmark productivity increases and received six consecutive JD Power awards in the US market for quality excellence. He has also enjoyed a diverse career path within Daimler since joining the South African operations in 1996.

Van der Merwe said: “It is an honour to have been entrusted with such an important role.” He added that the leadership team at BBAC created an excellent foundation for growth and that he was excited to be part of “this ongoing journey of collaboration and teamwork.”

Andreas Engling has been with the Daimler organisation for more than 30 years. He is currently the head of engine production for Daimler’s Untertürkheim plant in Germany and was previously in the position of CEO of MDC Power, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG. Before this he held various positions in the company.

“I am excited about this new opportunity to lead the East London plant further on its path of quality and productivity excellence,” he said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders of the larger Mercedes-Benz South Africa group of companies and building on the rich heritage of the company of more than 65 years in the country.”

BBAC is Daimler’s largest joint venture between the parent company and its Chinese partner, BAIC Motor, and has been manufacturing Mercedes-Benz passenger cars since 2005 and engines since 2013.