Contact: fred.ligouri@daimler.com

Portland, Ore. – Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) today announced Carsten Kirchholtes, formerly general manager, supply chain, has assumed an expanded role to serve as general manager, procurement and supply chain management. The additional responsibility, which centralizes all procurement and supply chain activities under one reporting structure, is reflective of the company’s holistic approach to managing all inputs for end to end vehicle assembly and production.

In his new role, Kirchholtes will oversee continuous improvement for all aspects of supplier management and quality. His responsibilities include procurement, supply chain management, launch and change management, supplier tooling, transportation and international trade compliance. Kirchholtes is a long-term veteran of Daimler whose tenure has been exclusively focused on procurement, supply chain and operations.   

“In the face of on-going, industry-wide challenges, Carsten’s leadership, vast experience and utmost regard for customers, dealers and suppliers alike has earned him a well-deserved reputation as a trusted partner to all, in all scenarios,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president, operations and specialty vehicles, DTNA. “With his expanded role, Carsten unifies all of our supply chain and procurement activity under one central function empowered to move with the speed and flexibility necessary to help us quickly get trucks, chassis and components to the nation’s fleets.”

Kirchholtes joined Mercedes-Benz in Germany in 1992 as a trainee before transitioning to the purchasing team in 1993. He was promoted through successive roles of increasing responsibility in purchasing, progressing to director-level positions starting in 1999. He held several executive assignments before emigrating to the U.S. in 2010 to join DTNA as the general manager, procurement. Kirchholtes holds a degree in business and engineering from Mannheim Technical College and the College of Rhineland Pfalz in Germany.

About Daimler Truck North America

Daimler Truck North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a leading provider of comprehensive products and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. Daimler Truck North America designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and their associated technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. Daimler Truck North America is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck Holding AG (DTG), one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.