Gerber shatters glass ceiling

Maretha Gerber is the new president and CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), breaking the mould in a traditionally male-dominated position. COLIN WINDELL reports on her promotion from VP of sales and marketing.

Gerber succeeds Michael Dietz, who moves on to become president and CEO of Regional Centre Middle East and Africa for Daimler Truck.

“I am honoured to be given this opportunity in the role of president and Group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa. I am excited to work with the experienced leadership team and talented employees at DTSA and to lead the group of companies to new heights,” says Gerber.

“Together with our dealers and general distributors, we look forward to contributing to further growth and success and to building a brighter future for all stakeholders,” she continues. “I would like to express my gratitude to Michael for his major contributions to the company and wish him all the success and fulfilment in this new chapter of his career.”

Gerber holds a degree in marketing and has more than 20 years’ experience within the Daimler organisation including, previously, DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-Benz South Africa. She held various management roles in these companies across sales, marketing, and dealer network before moving to a dealer principal role in the Mercedes-Benz dealer network in own retail (dealerships owned by Daimler). 

In 2018, she moved back to HQ as the head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and subsequently became the vice president of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Fuso Trucks.

The double move for Gerber and Dietz comes at a good time for DTSA, which recorded its best sales ever in 2023. More than 50% of these sales were financed internally by Daimler Truck Financial Services, while there is the prospect of a major boost to the bus side of the business with Putco having ordered 200 new units.

“I just love the fact each time a unit is sold, I know it will be used to enrich lives in the community because it is delivering goods or services where they are needed, whether long-, medium-, or short-haul. This ties in closely with everything else DTSA is doing,” says Gerber.

“I have been involved in the current DTSA corporate strategy from the beginning and we can see it is working, so my immediate task is to continue and grow that process along with confirming our commitment to customers,” she reveals.

“DTSA will keep up its support for youth education and seek out young talent to be absorbed into this growing organisation,” she vows. “We currently have 300 employees at the plant in East London and need to grow that workforce.”

Looking ahead, Gerber says that e-mobility is definitely part of the Daimler Truck strategy. “We will launch our first electric trucks later this year. However, it vital for us that our dealers and service staff first have comprehensive training and all the systems they need in place to sell and maintain the vehicles,” she explains. “What makes us different as a company is how we see and operate the entire value chain, and customer excellence will be a core focus during 2024.”

Andreas von Wallfeld, head of Daimler Truck Overseas, is thrilled with these two appointments. “We are delighted to welcome Maretha Gerber as the new president and group CEO for DTSA and the second woman on the Daimler Truck Overseas ExCom team,” he says. “With her vast experience and excellent client rapport, we cannot think of anyone better for this position.

“Likewise, we are pleased to have won Michael, with his extensive knowledge and broad experience, for the Regional Centre Middle East and Africa. We wish both Maretha and Michael all the best in their new roles.”