At 54, Stéphane Noël brings nearly 30 years of extensive experience from the automotive industry, much of it gained through international roles in Poland, the UK and more recently, China. Prior to joining FORVIA, he held several senior leadership positions at OP Mobility, an automotive supplier, most recently serving as President and CEO of Intelligent Exterior Systems. Stéphane also worked at Hutchinson, a company within TotalEnergies’ Chemical Division, recognized globally for its leadership in elastomer technology. A graduate of the Institute of Science and Technology for Engineering in Angers (ISTIA), Stéphane brings a wealth of diverse expertise to his new role.

A SMOOTH TRANSITION

Patrick Koller, CEO of FORVIA, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Stéphane Noël to FORVIA to lead a key business area of our Group. With his international experience and deep knowledge of the automotive industry, he will provide valuable leadership to this key business during a critical period of transformation for our sector. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Christophe Schmitt for his thirty years of dedication to the Group, nearly 25 of which were spent on our Executive Committee. Christophe has played a pivotal role in the development of FORVIA, addressing the most complex challenges, leading several Business Groups and steering our operations with exemplary vision and discipline. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Christophe Schmitt added: 

"It has been a great privilege to work at FORVIA over the past thirty years, particularly this past 2024 year, when I served as Executive Vice President of Seating business group, Group Purchasing and IT functions. Throughout my career, I have focused on industrial rigor, operational efficiency, customer experience and innovation, while expanding our global footprint. I want to acknowledge the immense talent and dedication of the teams who have contributed to our success. The time has come to pass the baton, and I am confident that Stéphane Noël will continue this legacy. I wish him great success in his new role."

A STRATEGIC MOMENT FOR FORVIA SEATING

Stéphane Noël, Executive Vice President of FORVIA Seating, concluded: 

"I am honored to join FORVIA and lead such a vital part of the Group’s business, which contributes to more than a third of its total revenue. At this pivotal moment for the company, as the automotive industry undergoes major transformation with a shift towards decarbonization and an increasing focus on Asia, it is an exciting time to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing sector. Automotive seating, which must be more sustainable, lighter and more comfortable, will play a crucial role in this evolution. I am committed to guiding the 45,000 employees of FORVIA Seating through this transformation."