Alexander Susanek takes on the COO role at Palfinger on 1 July 2023. From left to right: Hubert Palfinger, chairman of the Supervisory Board, Palfinger AG; Alexander Susanek, COO; and Hannes Palfinger, second deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board. Photo: Palfinger/Peter Rigaud

Alexander Susanek has been appointed chief operating officer at crane, materials handling and access equipment manufacturer Palfinger.

Susanek was formerly managing director at BMW Motoren in Austria and also head of engine production at the BMW Group. He takes up the role on the Palfinger executive board on 1 July 2023, leading with responsibility for the ongoing transformation. He succeeds Martin Zehnder, who was at the company for 15 years.

鈥淲ith Alexander Susanek as COO, we are securing the transformation of Palfinger into a leading global technology company on a long-term and sustainable basis,鈥� said Hubert Palfinger, chairman of the Supervisory Board.

In particular, his extensive experience in various operational areas and key positions at both MAN Trucks and the BMW Group makes the native German ideal for the position, Palfinger said.

Alexander Susanek. Photo: Palfinger

Transformation and growth

鈥淲ith its Vision and Strategy 2030, Palfinger is equipped with an ambitious answer to the challenges of the future. I am looking forward to the opportunity to proactively drive Palfinger鈥檚 transformation and growth with my colleagues on the executive board. Together with the entire Palfinger team, we will continue to expand our global market leadership,鈥� Susanek said.

Susanek studied mechanical and industrial engineering at the Technical University of Munich in Germany and then completed his doctorate in business administration at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich. He began his career in 2005 at MAN Truck & Bus.

In 2014 he moved to the BMW Group. Following his work as head of prototype car construction in Munich and assembly manager at the Regensburg plant, he took over management of the world鈥檚 largest BMW Group engine plant in Steyr, Austria, in 2020 as managing director of BMW Motoren GmbH. From November 2022 he was responsible for worldwide engine production at BMW.