Larry Weyers named president of Manitowoc Cranes

Larry Weyers has been named president of Manitowoc Cranes, replacing Eric Etchart, who has served in that role for almost eight years. Etchart will assume the role of senior vice president, business development of the Manitowoc Company, according to a press release issued on January 6, 2015.

Manitowoc said the leadership changes are in line with the company’s long-term succession planning process.

Most recently, Weyers served as global executive vice president for Manitowoc Cranes. He joined the company in 1998 and has held various executive management positions there, including executive vice president of Crane Care.

“Eric has played an integral role in enhancing Manitowoc’s leadership globally,” said Glen Tellock, chairman and CEO, the Manitowoc Company, in a press release. “His leadership has helped position the crane segment as a market leader evidenced by the segment’s ability to deliver innovative products and technologies, execute operational excellence initiatives and expand its global footprint. In his new role, Eric will leverage his multi-faceted expertise and understanding of our customers to expand our business development efforts at an enterprise level. With a planned retirement in the coming years, this transition will allow him to replicate his successes going forward.”

On Weyers’ new role, Tellock said, “Mr. Weyers’ proven leadership, deep knowledge of the global crane market, and ability to execute on operational goals will undoubtedly support our crane segment’s ongoing success.”

In addition, Manitowoc announced the planned retirement of Mark Beffel, vice president, operational excellence, effective February 2. Josef Matosevic will assume the role of senior vice president of global operational excellence and will lead the company’s manufacturing, quality and safety initiatives upon Beffel’s retirement.

“As executive vice president of manufacturing - cranes, Josef has worked closely with our regional and functional teams worldwide to ensure efficient and cost-effective execution of these strategies, making him the ideal person to lead our efforts going forward,” Tellock said. “Our deep management bench and longstanding succession planning process provide a solid foundation to ensure a smooth transition and execution of our long-term strategy.”

Last year Manitowoc Cranes announced a reorganization from a regional structure to a global structure for all its product lines.