Executives make big moves among the majors.

Meeran Promoted to Managing Director of ETA MELCO

A. Ahamed Meeran, previously executive director, Global Operations, ETA Melco Elevator Co. LLC, has been promoted to managing director of the organization by the company’s joint venture partners ETA ASCON Group, Dubai, and Mitsubishi Group, Japan, effective April 5. Headquartered in Dubai, the company has Mitsubishi elevator/escalator subsidiaries in 24 countries.

Meeran holds an Engineering degree from one of the most prestigious institutions in India, The College of Engineering in Chennai, and has a management certification from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. ETA MELCO experienced phenomenal growth during Meeran’s 10-year tenure as executive director. During this time, the number of units sold surged to 55,000 from 30,000 in the mid 2000s. Meeran is now guiding a concept called Vision 2025, which is focused on achieving 100,000 units sold by 2025. 

Alimak Group Names Rinaldo COO

Stefan Rinaldo, chief financial officer (CFO) of Alimak Group AB, has been named chief operational officer (COO). His new role became effective on May 3, and he will continue to serve as COO until a replacement is found. Rinaldo has been with the company since 2007 and has been CFO since 2012. Alimak observed:

“The appointment aims to strengthen the management capabilities of Alimak Group, and the main focus of the COO role will be mergers and acquisitions integration, legal issues and contracts, information technology, compliance and risk management. The [role] will be instrumental to supporting Alimak Group’s growth plan.”

Hinnerskov to Replace Veeger as EVP at KONE

Thomas Hinnerskov has been appointed by KONE to fill the role of executive vice president, Central and North Europe, filling the shoes of Noud Veeger, who left to pursue other interests on April 2 (ELEVATOR WORLD, May 2016). He will also become a member of the executive board, reporting to KONE CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth. Hinnerskov’s new roles become effective on October 1, with Klaus Cawén, executive vice president for Mergers and Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances, Legal Affairs, and Russia heading KONE’s Central and North Europe area in the interim. Hinnerskov joins KONE from ISS A/S, a global facility services provider, where he held numerous leadership roles, most recently regional CEO of Western Europe. He holds an MSc in Finance and Accounting from Copenhagen Business School.

Lerch Bates Names Dubai Managing Director

Lerch Bates Inc. has named Moufid Hilal managing director of its Dubai office. He has more than 23 years of industry experience, including roles as technical engineer, service engineer and branch manager at KONE’s Abu Dhabi office. He most recently served as general manager of Mitsubishi, Saudi Arabia. In his new role, he oversees management functions of the Middle East and North Africa markets, continuing to develop Lerch Bates’ new-construction consulting and modernization/maintenance business there. Describing Hilal as a welcome addition to the team, Lerch Bates CEO Bart Stephan said he has “the valuable and unique experience needed to lead our operations in the region.”