Visteon manager, Karl Krause, will become the next chairman and CEO of automotive supplier Kiekert.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Krause (46) will assume the roles from 1st June 2007. He replaces Dr. Wolfgang Theis, who has led the company since 1999.


Most recently Krause was head of the chassis/powertrain group at Visteon. As vice president of manufacturing operations for Europe and South America he was responsible for leading the effort to develop and implement business strategies to enhance the company’s manufacturing footprint in those two regions.


Previously Krause was operations director at TRW Automotive with responsibility for all European, Korean and South African operations manufacturing seat belt systems. Prior to TRW, Krause spent more than eight years with ITT-Automotive.


Kiekert claims to be the global leader in automotive locking systems. It also produces door modules and mechatronic drive systems. The company employs 3,500 people globally, 1,500 of which are in Germany.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now