Bo Andersson (businessman)

Bo Inge Andersson (born 16 October 1955) is a Swedish businessman, and former officer and diplomat.

Bo Andersson was appointed CEO of UzAuto Motors and UzAuto Motors Powertrain – the largest manufacturing subsidiaries of UzAvtoSanoat in August 2021. UzAvtoSanoat is owned by Uzbekistan's government, and produces Chevrolet vehicles under a technical license agreement with GM.

Mr. Andersson is tasked with continuing the turn-around and modernization of UzAuto, with current production of nearly 300,000 units per year (2020).

He is also President and Founder of Ivanhoe IV – a global investment and leadership company.

From July 2017 through April 2021, Mr. Andersson was President of Yazaki Europe & Africa, adding the title of President & CEO of Yazaki North America & Central America in March 2018, with responsibility for 129 locations in 28 countries, 140,000 team members, and more than $8 billion in revenue. He was also head of Yazaki’s Global Purchasing organization. After Bo Andersson retooled Yazaki’s business in the regions, increased efficiency and reduced costs, built a strategic bridge to the next generation of Yazaki management and laid off thousands of workers during the pandemic, president of Japan’s Yazaki Corporation Shinji Yazaki stated: “All of these objectives were accomplished. I am grateful to Bo Andersson for his commitment, strong leadership and impactful performance.” From April thru June 2021, Bo Andersson served as Senior Executive Advisor to Yazaki Europe & Africa and North & Central America, to support the transition to the new leadership. Yazaki is the world's largest producer of electrical wiring harnesses for the automotive industry.

Prior to Yazaki, Bo Andersson's career included roles as Head of Purchasing at Saab Automobile, Head of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors, CEO for the turn-around of GAZ Group, the first non-Russian CEO at Avtovaz, where he worked from December 2013 to 3 April 2016.

Education
Bo Inge Andersson grew up in the south of Sweden. He graduated from the Swedish Army Academy and then served in the army. He left the military with the rank of Major. Andersson received a bachelor's degree from Stockholm University and completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School.

General Motors
Andersson began his business career in 1987 as a purchasing manager in Saab Automotive AB where in 1990 he was promoted to the Vice-President of Saab Purchasing. In 1993 he moved to Detroit to work at the position of Executive Director of Electrical Purchasing Group at General Motors (GM). A year later he was appointed Executive Director of Chemicals Purchasing Group for GM and worked in this position for three years. In 1997 he moved to Germany to hold position of Vice-President for Purchasing in Europe. In 2001 Andersson became part of GM top management, working as Vice-President for Purchasing worldwide until 2007, when he became Vice-President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. Andersson held this position until 2009, when he was recruited by GAZ Group.

GAZ Group
Andersson left GM in 2009 and became an advisor to Oleg Deripaska (a Russian industrial tycoon) and a board member of GAZ Group – including the oldest automotive plant in Russia and the largest manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, buses and off-road heavy trucks.

Andersson became the president of GAZ Group on August 7, 2009, with the primary goal of turning around the loss-making company. During his five years at GAZ, he managed to turn a loss of 30.5 billion rubles (approx. $1 billion USD) in 2008, into a profit of 8.8 billion rubles in 2012. Profit improvement was, among other things, attributed to the down-sizing of 50,000 employees, the successful launch of next generation light commercial vehicle (GAZelle Next) and a four-fold improvement in productivity.

AVTOVAZ
On November 5, 2013, Bo Andersson was appointed the President of JSC AVTOVAZ the largest Russian car manufacturer which produced old fashioned Lada branded vehicles and was losing market share. The Swedish manager has become the first foreign president of the company.

Andersson announced his resignation on the 17 February 2016. He agreed to remain in his role until April 3 to support the transition to new leadership. From April 2016, Bo Andersson was the CEO of Bo Group Enterprises.

Yazaki
From July 2017 through April 2021, Andersson was president of Yazaki Europe. In March 2018, he was named President & CEO of Yazaki North & Central America. This is in addition to his role as President of Yazaki Europe, which he has held since July 2017. He was responsible for 129 locations, in 28 countries, 140,000 team members and more than $8 billion in revenue. He was also head of Yazaki's Global Purchasing organization.

From April to June 2021, Andersson was senior executive advisor to Yazaki Europe & Africa and North & Central America, to support the transition to the new leadership. Yazaki is the world's largest producer of electrical wiring harnesses for the automotive industry.

UzAuto Motors
Andersson was appointed CEO of UzAuto Motors and UzAuto Motors Powertrain – the largest manufacturing subsidiaries of UzAvtoSanoat in August 2021. UzAvtoSanoat is owned by Uzbekistan's government, and produces Chevrolet vehicles under a technical license agreement with GM.