Taryn Woodbridge Emerges First Female CFO At Mercedes-Benz South Africa As Klaus Eser Retires

Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited (MBSA) has effected a leadership change with Taryn Woodbridge taking over from  Klaus Eser as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director Finance and Controlling on December 1, 2022 following Eser’s retirement. Taryn thus makes history as  the company’s first female Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director Finance and Controlling.

Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director Manufacturing, Andreas Brand,  said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Taryn Woodbridge to the leadership team at Mercedes-Benz South Africa as the company’s first female Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director Finance and Controlling. Taryn brings on board vast industry experience and will certainly make an even greater impact within the business to ensure we continue to meet our strategic objectives.”

Following the successful completion of his Business Degree from the University of Stuttgart, Klaus began his career with Mercedes-Benz in 1989 on an international Trainee Programme. Klaus’ work experience spans over several years in executive positions encompassing Finance & Controlling and Product & Market Management. Before joining MBSA as the CFO and Executive Director Finance and Controlling in 2019, Klaus served as CFO for the German (and later European) Own Retail Organisation supporting a far-reaching restructuring programme for six years.

The new CFO and Executive Director Finance and Controlling designate, Taryn Woodbridge, is a qualified Chartered Accountant (SA) and a Taxation Masters in Commerce graduate from Rhodes University. Taryn joined MBSA in 2004 as a Product Control Analyst and has held several leadership positions in Controlling, Taxation and Accounting with a focus on Plant Performance and Optimisation over the years. In 2014, Taryn was promoted into a Senior Management position and to date has been responsible for Plant Accounting and Controlling.

Commenting on her appointment, Taryn Woodbridge said, “I would like to thank Klaus for being an exemplary steward in this critical role. As he passes the baton to me, I am honoured to lead and be afforded this opportunity. I look forward to immersing myself in the role and to further advance the strategic ambitions of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.”

“On behalf of the Board of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, we would like to thank Klaus for his commitment and years of passionate service at MBSA and wish Taryn well in her new role,” Andreas concluded.

 Mercedes-Benz South Africa and East London Plant

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the global company, Mercedes-Benz AG. Established in 1948, MBSA is one of the largest automotive groups in South Africa. The production of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars at the East London plant began in 1958, with the model series of the W121. Today, MBSA manufactures Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans including Hybrid derivatives, in both left- and right-hand drive for the local and export markets.

MBSA cemented its position as one of the top manufacturing plants of Mercedes-Benz AG, getting recognition for six years in a row with J.D. Power and Associates (a US-based company) quality awards for vehicles produced at its East London. With about 3.300 employees, the East London plant is an important part of the C-Class global production network. The network includes BBAC (China), and lead plant in Bremen (Germany). Further investments into the expansion of the East London plant for the production of the new generation C-Class since 2018 constitute R13 billion.