LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Mack Trucks has a new face in charge of International Operations, in an effort to compete in the global marketplace.

Ron Huibers is the new senior vice-president of International Operations, effective May 1. In this role, Huibers will direct the activities of the Mack International Operations group and will report to Mack president and CEO Dennis Slagle.

The International Operations group has a worldwide distribution network that sells and services Mack trucks in 45 countries. The group has been an important part of Mack for decades and has made the Mack brand particularly strong in Latin America and Australia. Efforts in recent years have focused on growing Mack’s presence in markets such as Africa and the Middle East.

Huibers has served in various senior management positions in international distribution, dealer operations and financial services during his career. His experience includes leading distribution activities for more than 90 countries with Champion (now Volvo Road Machinery), and directing Volvo Construction Equipment’s global sales-to-order process in Brussels, Belgium.

Huibers also served as vice-president of sales for Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) North America, and as president and CEO of VCE dealer ASC USA. He was most recently vice-president of business development and strategy for Volvo Financial Services of the Americas.