Japanese trucks manufacturer UD Trucks has appointed Mourad Hedna as the group president for the Middle East, East and North Africa (Meena) region, assuming responsibility for the brand from Lars-Erik Forsbergh who moves to Singapore to head the Volvo Trucks operations in southeast Asia.

Hedna was previously vice-president (Powertrain Business Strategy) for Volvo Group in Sweden, and has been working for the Volvo Trucks Group since 1996.

He was appointed to the new position by Jacques Michel, senior vice-president (sales area international), in November 2016 and is responsible for all UD Trucks operations across the Meena region.

On his new role, Hedna said: "I hope that my 20 years experience in the truck manufacturing industry will bring value to the company and help drive performance in this important strategic region for UD Trucks. I look forward to collaborating with our local partners to deliver the very best service for our customers."

"UD Trucks has a strong reputation for going the extra mile and it is a priority of mine to get to know in detail all our customers’ business models so that we can best serve their current needs and anticipate their future requirements," he remarked.

With an educational background in engineering from French high engineering school in Aeronautics and Engines, completed by a management MBA, 45-year-old Hedna joined Renault Trucks in 1996 where he held the position of engine research and development engineer (1996-1999).

In 2000, Hedna was appointed engineering manager of the Volvo Trucks Group (2000-2006) before taking on the roles of global commodity manager (2007-2010), purchasing director (2011-2014) and vice president Powertrain Business Strategy in the two last years.

Hedna made the move to the UAE on November 1, 2016 and is permanently based at Volvo Group regional headquarters in Jebel Ali.

"With our Quester range providing world-class fuel efficiency, reliability and durability with a wide range of applications, and UD's high ambition to renew all our products, I am confident that we are in a strong position to satisfy customers needs and support them to be succesful and prosper in their business," he added.-TradeArabia News Service