Eugenio Cecchin is the new CEO of U‑Power. Franco Uzzeni remains Chairman of the Group

U-Power is entering a new phase of its industrial history. Eugenio Cecchin has taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Group, taking over the operational leadership from Franco Uzzeni, founder of the company, who until now has held both the position of Chairman and that of CEO and who will continue to lead the Group’s strategic directions in his capacity as Chairman.

An aerospace engineer by training (Politecnico di Milano) and with an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from SDA Bocconi, Cecchin has built an international career spanning more than twenty years across manufacturing, marketing and general management in complex industrial environments. He began in the United States, at CNH New Holland, as a production engineer; he then joined Hilti, where he spent more than a decade in increasingly senior roles across Italy, the United Kingdom and the headquarters in Liechtenstein — from strategic marketing to commercial leadership, and ultimately to global responsibility for the Group’s brand management. He subsequently led companies backed by private equity funds, serving as President & CEO of Ideal Standard Italia and as Interim CEO during AICO’s turnaround, before taking on increasingly senior regional responsibilities at BMI Group — from Region Head for Italy, the Adriatic region and Bulgaria to Regional President for the DACH area, up to his current mandate extended to Northern and Eastern Europe.

The appointment comes at a time of strong acceleration for the Group, which is engaged in a growth path aimed at consolidating its European leadership in the world of Personal Protective Equipment at 360 degrees: footwear, clothing and gloves as the current pillars, with a progressive development towards helmets, eyewear and hearing protection.

“U-Power was born from the idea that something completely different could be done in the world of safety, and over the years the market has proven us right. Today, the Group has reached a size and has an ambition that require a management structure capable of rising to the challenge, and the right time has come to separate operational leadership from strategic leadership. Entrusting the role of CEO to Eugenio means ensuring continuity for our vision, together with the international experience needed for the next step. I will continue to focus on what has always made the difference for us: product, brand and the ability to anticipate the market.”

Franco Uzzeni — Founder and Chairman of U-Power

“I am fascinated by the extraordinary potential of this Group. I have found a team with a great ability to read the market, the courage to make unconventional choices and an exceptional speed of execution. The support of the Uzzeni family and Renaissance Partners will be a fundamental pillar in supporting the Group’s strategic growth. Our ambition is clear: to become the undisputed European leader in the PPE sector, competing in the premium segment through product value, brand and communication.”

Eugenio Cecchin — Chief Executive Officer of U-Power