Mike’s most notable achievement comes from his distinguished career at the global manufacturer of hydraulic equipment and vehicle solutions, Hyva. At Hyva, he progressed from sales to Head of Sales before serving as Managing Director for fourteen years. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the business, from manufacturing and product development to sales, aftersales and spare parts. Most recently, he held the position of European Regional Director, overseeing the production of 2,000 skip and hook loader vehicles annually, managing 88 staff, and taking full responsibility for operations across both the UK and Europe.

Speaking about his appointment, Mike 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 continued: “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.”

His long-standing relationship with Fruehauf stretches back many years as a trusted supplier partner, during which time he gained first-hand knowledge of the company’s reputation, product quality and manufacturing capabilities. He first discussed the potential of the brand with CEO Tom O’Rourke over a decade ago and has continued to follow its progress closely.

Welcoming Mike to the role, Tom said: “Attracting someone of the calibre of Mike as the new Managing Director is a testament to the brand and the team’s performance. His wealth of experience, proven leadership and track record in manufacturing and sales, particularly his time as Managing Director at Hyva, make him ideally placed to lead the business into its next chapter.”

He added: “I am immensely proud of what everyone at Fruehauf has accomplished in recent years, and with Mike at the helm, I believe we are well-positioned to achieve even greater things.”

Mike will be based at Fruehauf’s Grantham headquarters, taking over the office currently occupied by Artūras Mitunevičius, who will move into the newly refurbished factory offices. In his new role, Artūras will lead the company’s automation programme, including the installation of two substantial robotic welding systems for chassis beams, crane subframes and aluminium bodies, as well as driving forward the Continuous Improvement Programme.

Fruehauf extends its thanks to Artūras for his dedication and leadership, and to the wider management team whose work in restructuring and strengthening operations has paved the way for this appointment. With Mike’s arrival, the company looks forward to building on the momentum achieved in recent years, ensuring Fruehauf continues to deliver the innovation, quality and service its customers expect.