EUROBAT’s Westgeest steps down, Meylemans takes over as GM

Alfons Westgeest, general manager of EUROBAT, announced on June 5 he was stepping down and Gert Meylemans, previously director of communications, would take over.

Westgeest, who tried to retire four years ago but came back, has been a central figure in EUROBAT since his involvement in 2002 and arguably the key creator of the present trade organization.

Westgeest, a well-known and well-liked figure in all sections of the European energy storage industry, said he had enjoyed his time with EUROBAT.

“It’s not just been fun to build up and strengthen the organization but we have achieved real success in helping influence the direc- tion of battery regulation across the EU.”

Marc Zoellner, president of EUROBAT and CEO of Hoppecke Batteries, in a touching speech at the conference dinner, paid tribute to Westgeest’s relentless commitment to building up EUROBAT and its members.

“I will truly miss him and thank him for the wonderful work he has done,” he said.

Meylemans, who joined EUROBAT in August 2018, said he had a very tough act to follow but “hoped to continue to build on the great work Alfons has done”.

EUROBAT — the association for European automotive and industrial battery manufacturers and