Atlas Copco India, the Rs 3,500 crore local arm of the Swedish major, which is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, has announced that Frans Van Neikerk will succeed Giovanni Valent as the company's new managing director and vice-president for India Holding, effective January 2020. Valent retires after a 25-year stint with the company.

Neikerk will be responsible for the company’s operations in India and Bangladesh. He has more than 20 years of experience within the Atlas Copco Group and most recently he served as the vice-president for the Southern Africa Holding. Atlas Copco says that in his earlier stint he has held a variety of business control functions for the Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area in South Africa, as well as in southeast-Asia, Chile and Sweden.

Hans Ola Meyer, senior VP Controlling and Finance and CFO, Atlas Copco said: "With his long and international experience he is very suitable to contribute to our presence and development in the important Indian market."

Commenting on his new role, Neikerk said: “I am delighted to be appointed as managing director for Atlas Copco India and look forward to working with the team to grow the India market even further. We will continue serving our impressive portfolio of clients with the robust approach that Atlas Copco is known for, assuring a seamless delivery of our services.”