Sonepar COO to Retire

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Sonepar USA, a subsidiary of the privately held Sonepar Group, announced today that Dave Gabriel, Sonepar Chief Operating Officer, has decided to retire, effective May 15.

Gabriel joined Sonepar in 2008 as part of the Hagemeyer acquisition. In 2009, he became CEO of Sonepar USA and then President of Sonepar North America. Gabriel and the North American team led the industry in performance, driving growth and profitability while building the organization through strategic acquisitions in the US, Canada, and Latin America. In 2017, Gabriel moved to Paris to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Sonepar Group, overseeing 38 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, while supporting the Group’s ambitions and strategic initiatives.

Effective April 23, the Sonepar Group has reorganized at the regional level. Rob Taylor has been appointed President of Sonepar North America and will now be responsible for operations in Canada and Mexico, in addition to the US. Stefan Stegemann has been appointed President of Sonepar Central and Nordic Europe. Patrick Salvadori has been appointed President of Sonepar Western Europe and South America. Benoit Pedoussaut remains President of Sonepar France and Jérôme Malassigne has been appointed Chief Strategic Marketing and Sourcing Officer and Asia Pacific Operations.

“We would like to thank Dave for his leadership and contributions to the Group,” said Philippe Delpech, Sonepar CEO. “This new regional leadership structure will ensure, with the support of the global function leaders, that our strategic plans will be efficiently deployed across the organization, both at government and business initiative levels.”

“Dave has been instrumental in the success of our business,” said Rob Taylor, President, Sonepar North America. “We are grateful for his many contributions to the North American region and wish him well in his retirement.”