Changes to Scania's global structure are to shorten the stay of Scania Australia Managing Director José Badía.

The global restructuring plan is to prepare for expansion following what is certain to be another record year for Scania in 2007.

Scania has created four regions in a new operational structure. Australia will become one of the anchors of the rapidly expanding Asian and Latin America region, which includes South East Asia, South Africa and South America.

The other three regional groups are Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Northern Asia, which includes the fast-growing Russian market.

As part of the reallocation of senior management, Scania Australia Managing Director José Badía will take up a new role in July 2008 as head of the Benelux group. Benelux includes Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The appointment reflects both his previous 10 years as commercial director for Netherlands and his fluency in Dutch and French.

From July 2008, Scania Australia Managing Director will be Jan Kilstrom, currently head of Business Development within global head office.

Mr Badía said he was confident that under the experience and direction of Jan Kilstrom, the plans for future development of Scania’s presence in the Australian market would proceed without interruption.

“Obviously, having just got to know and greatly like the Australian market, it is a shame to be reassigned after only 12 months,” he said.

“But the moves are definitely for the overall benefit of Scania and I know Jan, with his commercial background and the fact that he came to Scania from running a major fleet customer, will bring the same drive for growth and investment for the long-term benefit of our Australian business and customers.

”The fact that we have at least six months to effect an orderly transition will ensure continuity of direction and security of the all-important customer relationships.”

Mr Badía said the Australian management team was both experienced and ambitious in the direction it wanted to take Scania to become a premium supplier and it had an “unshakeable focus on providing business benefit to our current and expanding customer base.”

Mr Kilstrom will familiarise himself with the Australian market over the first half of 2008 and will spend a period with José Badía to ensure a smooth transition.

Scania Australia will end 2007 with record sales both in both trucks and buses as well as strong profitability. It is well positioned to support future growth through facility and services expansion and increased market presence.