Gurit (Wattwil / Switzerland; www.gurit.com) has found a new general manager for its recently established Composite Components business unit. On 1 May, Laurent Michaux will take over as head of the branch – which was set up in February when the Swiss company merged its Engineered Structures and Automotive businesses (see Plasteurope.com of 16.02.2015) – and will also become a member of the composites specialist’s executive committee.

Michaux previously worked as customer strategy vice president at Faurecia and board director of SAS Automotive Systems, Faurecia’s 50:50 joint venture with Continental. Commenting on the appointment, Gurit CEO Rudolf Hadorn said, “This step will enable us to gain further momentum for our growth strategy and to leverage our position in the land transportation market.” Previously focused mostly on boat construction and wind energy applications, Gurit received a large order for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) parts for automotive components earlier this year – see Plasteurope.com of 22.01.2015.