Swedish industrial company Atlas Copco India has appointed Frans Van Neikerk as the new Managing Director and Vice-president India Holding, effective January 2020. He will be responsible for the company’s operations in India and Bangladesh.

Frans van Niekerk, a South African citizen, has more than 20 years of experience within the Atlas Copco Group, most recently as Vice President of Southern Africa Holding. Before that, he has held a variety of Business Control functions for the Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area in South Africa, as well as in Southeast Asia, Chile, and Sweden. 

Hans Ola Meyer, Senior Vice President Controlling and Finance and CFO stated, “With his long and international experience he is very suitable to contribute to our presence and development in the important Indian market", said Hans Ola Meyer, Senior Vice President Controlling and Finance and CFO.                 

Frans' education includes studies in accounting and economics from Lyceum correspondence college in South Africa.  He succeeds Giovanni Valent who is retiring after 25 years in the Atlas Group. 

Commenting on his new role, Frans said, “I am delighted to be appointed as Managing Director for Atlas Copco India and look forward to working with the team to grow the India market even further. We will continue serving our impressive portfolio of clients with the robust approach that Atlas Copco is known for, assuring a seamless delivery of our services.” 

Atlas Copco is based in Stockholm, Sweden with customers present in more than 180 countries and has about 37 000 employees. In India, it started operations in 1960, and has over 15 offices across India, and has over 2 000 employees and revenues of INR 2, 700 Cr as on 31st March 2019. With this appointment, Frans will be instrumental in scaling the business further in the country.

Image credit: Manufacturing Today India