Proton's quality expert resigns

PROTON Holdings Bhd senior director, group operations, Wolfgang Karl Epple, has tendered in his resignation, almost three years after driving forward the carmaker's quality initiatives.

His resignation was confirmed by Proton's head of group communications, Muhammad Amyzaddin Raya.

Muhammad Amyzaddin said Epple informed Proton that his resignation was due to his intention to take up another challenge in the automotive industry closer to home in Europe.

"Over the next month, Epple will continue to oversee his portfolio and we are confident of a smooth transition," Muhammad Amyzaddin told Business Times.

Epple, 58, was appointed on a contract basis as director of quality on April 7 2009 to spearhead Proton's quality function.

A PhD holder in Computer Science from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, Epple worked for BMW AG for 23 years with several significant management positions in Munich and South Africa.

He last served BMW AG as vice president of quality management research and development.

Before that he managed BMW's role in its Hybrid cooperation project with Daimler, Chrysler and General Motors in Detroit, USA.

As a project director, he was in charge of the current BMW 3 series.

In his capacity as general manager for industrialisation in BMW South Africa, Epple was responsible for the adaptation and release of European cars to local conditions.

In 1993, he formulated and implemented the strategy to make BMW SA fit for the international market.

He additionally led BMW's export initiative in South Africa where he managed BMW's biggest investment programme valued at RM500 million.