Wrightbus has appointed seasoned automotive professional Axel J Maschka as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He is tasked with leading the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer into its next phase of global growth.
Axel takes over from Jean-Marc Gales, who led the business for two-and-a-half years following its rescue from administration by Jo Bamford in 2019.
He joins the bus manufacturer after holding senior roles across the automotive and mobility sector, including with Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, Volvo, Continental, Leclanché, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz. His career spans Europe and Asia bringing what Wrightbus describes as deep experience across the automotive supply chain.
Under Axel’s leadership, Wrightbus is expected to grow its workforce further while prioritising improvements in reliability by building more resilience into its supply chain and expanding its after-sales service.
“I am delighted to be taking over at Wrightbus and I have been given an extremely warm welcome – from owner Jo Bamford through to the people I have met on the shop floor,” Axel says. “The Wrightbus of today is very different from the one that launched in 1946, but we must hold onto those traditional values where we treat our employees like family and our customers like royalty.
“Every post I’ve held has focused on the customer, putting them at the centre of everything we do, and I will continue this theme at Wrightbus.”
He adds that concentrating on “fundamentals” will help Wrightbus grow global market share.
“We offer so much alongside the actual bus itself,” he adds. “Being part of the HydraB Group gives us access to a whole portfolio of companies offering everything from depot infrastructure and charging to service and maintenance. I firmly believe we have the right people, the right skills and the right facilities to develop this historic company and put it on the world stage. Offering a complete solution really helps us stand out in the market.”
