New secretary general at the helm of CECE

Sigrid de Vries succeeds Ralf Wezel at the Committee for European Construction Equipment

CECE, the Committee for European Construction Equipment, has appointed Sigrid de Vries (right in picture), a partner in the public relations agency Quick Communications, as its new secretary general, with effect from 1 July. She succeeds Ralf Wezel who leaves after a 12-year tenure in order to undertake new responsibilities within the VDMA industry association in Frankfurt.

Welcoming the new secretary general, Eric Lepine (left in picture), president of CECE and managing director of Caterpillar France SAS, said: ‘I firmly believe Sigrid will do an excellent job. She has strong management experience and a very solid knowledge of both our industry and the Brussels’ political environment. I am looking forward to working with her.’

Mr Lepine also thanked Mr Wezel for his commitment, adding: ‘Ralf has strengthened the role and influence of CECE throughout his time with the association. We wish him all the best in his new challenge.’

The appointment of the new secretary general was taken by the CECE Steering Group and confirmed by the association’s Presidents’ Committee in May 2014.

Sigrid de Vries commented: ‘The construction equipment industry forms an important part of the machinery manufacturing sector in Europe, and EU legislation has a direct impact on its ability to stay competitive.

‘I look forward to promoting the interests of this industry towards the European Institutions and working together with the CECE members, partner associations and other stakeholders to achieve common goals.’

A Dutch national, Sigrid de Vries is an experienced EU governmental affairs and communications professional who served many years as director of communications at ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers Association) in Brussels and later led the institutional relations activities of CNH Industrial in Europe.