KNDS, the Franco-German joint venture involving Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, has appointed a managing director for Belgium.
Christophe Monnier, who has served as the managing director of KNDS subsidiary Mecar in Belgium since May 2019, thus becomes the first managing director for KNDS in a European country.
A key KNDS contact for the Belgian armed forces, Monnier will be responsible for establishing the group’s strategy locally and advising KNDS management on development opportunities, according to the company.
Established in Belgium since 1938, Mecar has over 200 employees. While currently a major supplier of ammunition to the Belgian army, Mecar aims to expand into systems and support activities. By 2022 the company has achieved sales of EUR 100 M and is on course to achieve the same figure in 2023.
In addition to its support for the Belgian armed forces, Mecar is assisting the Belgian Ministry of Defence in its support for Ukraine.
Aged 54 and a resident of Belgium for almost 20 years, Monnier holds a PhD in organic and macromolecular chemistry and an executive MBA from ESSEC business school. He joined Mecar after holding positions as supply chain director at Gantrex, plant manager at Staub and managing director at Carwall.
Peter Felstead
