Pirelli adds S. America to Pessi's duties

ERJ staff report (R&PN)

Milan, Italy -- Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has added the titles of President and CEO of its South American region to Pirelli Tire North America Inc. Chairman Mauro Pessi's responsibilities as part of the firm's strategy to build its business throughout Latin America.

Pirelli also named Matteo Battaini, a 20-year Pirelli veteran, CEO of its NAFTA Region. Battaini, most recently product management director for Pirelli Tyre, brings experience in demand planning, supply chain and product management to the new position, Pirelli said.

Pessi has been CEO of PTNA since October 2009, when Pirelli rehired him a year after he left the tyre maker to be CEO of Italian brake systems maker Brembo S.p.A. Prior to leaving Pirelli in 2008, Pessi had held a number of posts with the firm's Latin American operations, including vice president sales and marketing and CEO.

The Americas represent 44 percent of Pirelli Tyre's global sales and nearly 13,000 employees. Pirelli has tyre manufacturing in Argentina, Brazil, the US and Venezuela and is building a plant in Mexico.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)