Chinese battery manufacturer CATL is set to bolster its commercial presence in Europe by appointing Markus Baum as the Chief Commercial Officer Europe, effective from November 1, 2023. This strategic move will centralize sales functions at the local level for enhanced efficiency and performance.
Baum, previously the CCO at fastener manufacturer Bulten, brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in successfully restructuring Bulten’s global sales system. This skill set aligns with CATL’s goals of streamlining and advancing their commercial operations in the European market. The creation of this new position reflects CATL’s commitment to strengthening its foothold in the region.
In his statement, Baum expressed his enthusiasm: “I am delighted to contribute to the progress of forward-looking technologies and the advancement of electromobility within a dynamic organization. The automotive industry and related sectors are undergoing transformative changes driven by decarbonization and emission reduction imperatives. Together with our partners, we aspire to make a substantial impact.”
Mathias Hüttenrauch, CEO of CATL Europe, warmly welcomed Baum: “We extend a hearty welcome to Dr. Markus Baum as he assumes the role of CCO Europe. Dr. Baum’s proficiency in establishing sustainable distribution structures and his extensive commercial sector experience will undoubtedly enrich our company. I am confident that Dr. Baum will play a pivotal role in CATL’s European development.”
Hüttenrauch himself assumed the position of CEO at CATL Europe in March 2023. In addition to his new role, he also assumed the helm of the management at Contemporary Amperex Technology Thuringia (CATT) in the spring. This post was previously held by Matthias Zentgraf. Moreover, Rudolf Staudigl was appointed as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of CATL in Europe and Germany in March.
The introduction of the “CEO Europe” position comes on the heels of CATL commencing battery cell series production in Germany at its Arnstadt, Thuringia facility earlier this year. The initial annual production capacity of the factory stands at 8 GWh. With a substantial investment of up to 1.8 billion euros, CATL has ambitious plans to increase production capacity to 14 GWh in the future and generate up to 2,000 new job opportunities in Germany. Presently, CATL’s Thuringia plant boasts a workforce of 1,000 employees from 30 different countries.
Meanwhile, CATL is preparing to showcase its innovations at the IAA Mobility event in Munich, where the newly appointed Markus Baum will be in attendance. The spotlight will be on CATL’s latest offering, the Shenxing battery. This high-speed, fast-charging LFP battery designed for electric vehicles is scheduled to enter series production by the end of 2023.
