Bosch Rexroth names Bracht president and CEO

By Plant Engineering Staff December 22, 2006

Bosch Rexroth Corporation recently announced that Berend Bracht, former CEO of Bosch Rexroth China and former head of the company’s U.S. industrial hydraulics operation, will take over as president and CEO January 1, 2007.

“We are pleased that we have an executive of Berend’s stature to take this important position and continue the forward momentum we have developed in the United States,” said Manfred Grundke, chairman of the executive board for parent company Bosch Rexroth AG.

Grundke pointed out that Bracht will continue Bosch Rexroth’s close relationships with distributors while developing new initiatives to enhance and promote the company’s technology leadership.

Bracht said he is looking forward to working within the U.S. market again.

“Bosch Rexroth has a strong management team and many wonderful employees,” he said. “I’m eager to succeed with our employees and customers and continue the company’s vision and strategy for growth, service and partnership.”

Bracht replaces Wolfgang Dangel, who has led the U.S. subsidiary of the German-based company since April 2003. Dangel is leaving to accept a leadership position with the Schaeffler Group.

“We wish all the best for Wolfgang. He made great progress in building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with our distributors through online ordering, inventory management and information sharing that made it easier to do business with Bosch Rexroth,” noted Grundke.

Bracht started his career with the company in 1991 as a hydraulics sales engineer in Munich. In 1993 he went on to the industrial hydraulics organization in Bethlehem, PA, initially working as an application engineer. He continued to serve in positions of increasing responsibility, accepting the position of CEO for Bosch Rexroth China in 2004.