Speaker

Dr. Rob Smith

Senior Vice President and General Manager, Europe and Middle East, AGCO

In this role, Dr. Smith is responsible for reinforcing AGCO’s leading market position in Europe and further expanding the company’s business in Eastern Europe and Middle East. In particular, he leads AGCO’s efforts in developing the market of Russia where AGCO sees significant growth potential in the agricultural equipment sector. Dr. Smith and his team are also responsible for improving AGCO’s distribution coverage and local manufacturing presence to leverage this immense growth potential. In addition, he is responsible for AGCO’s global parts business.

Dr. Smith has extensive international management experience and most recently was the Vice President & General Manager of the global Engine Components Division for TRW Automotive – one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers. He also was the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TRW Automotive GmbH. Prior to this, Dr. Smith served as Vice President of the Global Automotive Division at Tyco Electronics, and Vice President & General Manager of the Aftermarket Parts and Material Repair and Overhaul business at Bombardier Transportation. Prior to 2001 he worked in various operations and supply chain roles in the global automotive industry with LucasVarity PLC, Lucas Industries PLC and BMW. Dr. Smith began his career as a Combat Engineer Officer in the United States Army.

Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Princeton University followed by an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Business. He received German Diplom-Kaufmann and Doctoral degrees in International Operations Management from the WHU – Graduate School of Management in Koblenz, Germany. Dr. Smith is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in Germany and represents AGCO as Vice President in the AmCham Germany Executive Committee. In addition, Dr. Smith is a Board Director for FLSmidth & Co A/S, a publicly traded Danish leading supplier of equipment and services to the global minerals and cement industries