Mercedes-Benz South Africa CEO Andreas Brand Resigns to Lead Global Supply Chain in Germany

Andreas Brand steps down as CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa after four years to lead Global Supply Chain Management at the company's German headquarters.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 8:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Investor

Executive Transition at the Helm of South African Manufacturing

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has confirmed that its CEO and Executive Director of Manufacturing, Andreas Brand, will step down from his current position effective May 31, 2026. After four years leading the local division, Brand is slated to return to Germany to take on a strategic leadership role within Mercedes-Benz AG. During his time in South Africa, Brand was responsible for overseeing the critical production hub in East London, ensuring that the facility remained a cornerstone of the brand's global manufacturing network during a period of significant industrial volatility.

A Career Defined by Global Production Expertise

Brand’s departure marks the conclusion of a successful chapter in a career that began with the German automaker in 1997. Over nearly three decades, he developed a reputation for operational excellence, particularly during his time managing the press and body shops in Kecskemét, Hungary, and serving as Chief Engineer Production for the Global Compact Car Platform. His deep technical background in "integrated program planning" proved essential when he arrived in South Africa in 2022, as the industry was still grappling with the lingering effects of the global semiconductor shortage and pandemic-related logistics hurdles.

Fortifying the East London Award-Winning Facility

Under Brand’s leadership, the East London manufacturing plant solidified its status as a premier production site within the Mercedes-Benz global value chain. The facility is a primary producer of the C-Class model, and Brand is credited with enhancing its international competitiveness and operational stability. Wilfried Porth, Chairman of the Board of MBSA, noted that Brand’s tenure was characterized by strong strategic continuity, which allowed the plant to maintain high performance and secure its role as a world-class asset for the parent company in Stuttgart.