Rafael Paniagua takes over his position as FERSA's new CEO

"To maintain and enhance the exponential growth that Fersa has been experiencing in recent years" is the objective set by Rafael Paniagua when he took office as the new CEO of the Zaragoza-based multinational company dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of high-performance bearing solutions for the automotive, industrial and energy markets.

Rafael Paniagua, has assured his commitment "to Fersa's excellence and sustainable growth" and has stated that "together with the team, we will take this great company to new heights, merging local experience with global perspectives.

Carlos Oehling, former CEO of Fersa, becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors, a position ceded by Francisco García Sanz, who will now hold the position of Vice-Chairman maintaining the same shareholding as before. Together, they will strengthen the Board of Directors of the company to take it to the highest levels of bearing solutions worldwide.

Rafael Paniagua, committed to excellence

Rafael Paniagua studied Industrial Engineering at the University of Seville, completing his training in Mechanical Engineering and School of Management at the University of Sheffield (UK), PADE and Board Members Course at IESE Business School, as well as Executive Education at Harvard Business School and IMD (Lausanne).

He was awarded the University Prize corresponding to the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de la Universidad de Sevilla by the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla as First of the Class of 1992.

Rafael Paniagua started his professional career at ABB in Córdoba in 1994, developing several functions in the production area, being later appointed General Manager of ABB in Zaragoza in 1998. He worked for several years at ABB in the United States and for more than 7 years he was Executive Vice President of the ABB Group, responsible for Global Business Units. He has also been Division Manager of Spain and Portugal for 8 years, and President and CEO of ABB Brazil for 7 years.

He has been Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of the Associations of Capital Goods Manufacturers (Brazil) and of the European Chambers of Commerce in Brazil. Rafael Paniagua is Executive Coach and Member of the Board of Directors of two European companies.

As of January 1, 2024, he has joined FERSA as CEO, with the purpose of continuing the exponential growth of the company.