Former Arthur D. Little senior partner named CEO of CNH Industrial
Agricultural and construction equipment giant CNH Industrial has appointed Hubertus M. Mühlhäuser as its new CEO. The experienced business leader started his career with management consulting firm Arthur D. Little, becoming the firm’s youngest partner ever at age 29.
CNH Industrial is one of the largest global manufacturers of agricultural and construction equipment and vehicles. Registered in the Netherlands and with corporate headquarters in London, the multinational firm has a presence in all major markets worldwide, including the US. The firm employs 63,000 people, and had revenues of $27.36 billion last year. Its brands include Case, New Holland, Iveco, and Steyr Tractors.
Now, the global manufacturing company has appointed Hubertus M. Mühlhäuser – a seasoned business leader and former senior partner at management consultancy Arthur D. Little – as the firm’s chief executive officer. Mühlhäuser boasts extensive experience leading multinational industrial firms, a deep knowledge of the construction and agriculture sectors, and strategy consulting expertise. As CEO, he will be based out of CNH Industrial’s Chicago, IL offices.
Before joining CNH, Mühlhäuser was director, president, and CEO of Welbilt, a global manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment, from 2015. Prior to that, he spent two years at his family business Mühlhäuser Holding Ltd, a more than century-old German tunneling specialist firm. He stepped down as managing director in 2015, remaining on as a non-executive chairman and majority stakeholder.
Before that, Mühlhäuser spent seven years at agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO, serving first as senior vice president of Strategy & Integration and Information Technology, and eventually heading the firm’s EMEA and Asia businesses.
Mühlhäuser started his career with Arthur D. Little – the more than century-old US firm that pioneered the business of management consulting. Starting as a business analyst in Switzerland, Mühlhäuser became the firm’s youngest partner at 29. He was appointed managing director of ADL’s Swiss operations in 2001, and was also a member of the firm’s global management team from 2000 to 2005. Mühlhäuser was a key negotiator (and shareholder) in the prominent firm’s management buyout financed by Altran Technologies.
“The Board is delighted at the appointment of Hubertus Mühlhäuser, given the wealth of international experience he will bring to the role combined with his passion for, and experience in, many of the industries in which we operate,” said Suzanne Heywood, chairman, CNH Industrial.
Mühlhäuser takes over from interim CEO Derek Neilson, who filled the role after the departure of Richard Tobin – CNH Industrial’s CEO since 2012. Tobin stepped down earlier this year to pursue other executive opportunities. Meanwhile, Neilson will continue on in the role of chief operating officer, EMEA Region and president, Commercial Vehicles Products Segment.
The change in CEO comes months after Suzanne Heywood became chairman. Heywood took on the role in July after CNH Industrial chairman Sergio Marchionne passed away from complications following surgery. Marchionne was also CEO of Fiat Chrysler and Ferrari.
