Fruehauf appoints Mike Taylor as new managing director

Fruehauf has named Mike Taylor (pictured left with Fruehauf CEO Tom O’Rourke) as its new managing director, effective 18 August, as the trailer manufacturer looks to build on its recent turnaround and growth.

Taylor brings extensive leadership experience in the commercial vehicle sector, most notably from his nine years as managing director at Hyva, where he oversaw all aspects of the business including manufacturing, product development, sales and aftersales. More recently, he served as Hyva’s European regional director, responsible for producing 2,000 skip and hookloader vehicles annually and managing 88 staff across the UK and Europe.

Commenting on his appointment, Taylor said: “It is a proud moment to be taking over as managing director of Fruehauf. This is a company with a remarkable history and a strong reputation across the transport sector, and I am excited to get started in building on the recent success the team has achieved.”

He added: “With such a dedicated workforce and a brand that stands for quality, innovation and reliability, I am confident we can continue to grow and deliver even more for our customers in the years ahead.”

Taylor will be based at Fruehauf’s Grantham headquarters, succeeding Artūras Mitunevičius, who moves into a newly refurbished office to lead the company’s automation programme. His remit will include the installation of two robotic welding systems for chassis beams, crane subframes and aluminium bodies, alongside driving Fruehauf’s continuous improvement strategy.

Fruehauf CEO Tom O’Rourke welcomed the appointment, saying: “Attracting someone of Mike’s calibre is a testament to the brand and the team’s performance. His proven leadership and track record in manufacturing and sales make him ideally placed to lead the business into its next chapter.”

Fruehauf also thanked Mitunevičius and the wider management team for their work in restructuring and strengthening operations, which has paved the way for Taylor’s arrival.