Siegmar Proebstl has taken the reins at Siemens Southern Africa and Africa once again.
He was initially CEO of the company's local arm from 2006 to 2009, but left to head up the sustainability office for Siemens AG, in Munich.
Stuart Clarkson replaced him in 2009 and has now left due to personal reasons, according to the company.
Proebstl has subsequently returned to the post of CEO of Siemens Southern Africa and officially started his new term on 1 August.
Local knowledge
As head of the sustainability office, Proebstl was responsible for the development of the global sustainability strategy and co-ordinating all sustainability initiatives in the global organisation.
He was previously MD of Osram (a Siemens lighting company) in SA and then became CEO of the southern African operations.
“Proebstl is well placed to lead the company's growth strategy in the country, and in the continent as a whole. His knowledge of the local market, combined with his understanding of sustainability issues, will prove great assets in this regard,” says the company.
It adds that Proebstl first joined Osram in 1985. “His move to SA took place in 1994, where, as MD, he grew Osram from the fifth place in the lighting industry to first.”
Government goals
Proebstl says the company's special focus, at present, is on solutions for sustainable urban infrastructure development, renewable energy and environmentally-friendly products and services.
“These are the technologies we must turn to in order to find solutions to the challenges facing developing countries today.”
Siemens Southern Africa says it has identified skills development as critical to the country's sustainability.
Having returned to SA, Proebstl's priorities lie in helping governments across Africa realise their goals in terms of upgrading public infrastructure and power supply and networks.
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