The   Lola   Group,   a   worldwide  leader  in  design,  engineering  and  manufacturing,  today announced the appointment of Andrew Manahan as their new Group Managing Director. With  group  responsibility,  operationally  Andrew  will  manage  the  Lola  Composites  business division  while  working  closely  alongside  Rupert  Manwaring,  Managing  Director  of  the  Lola Cars division. Andrew brings to the role a wealth of experience and a proven track record in leading edge technology. He joins Lola in July 2007, from Schleifring Systems part of the world renowned defence  engineering  group  Wegmann  where  he  is  currently  managing  director  of  their  UK facility in Newbury. Andrew’s  appointment  comes  at  an  exciting  time for Lola’s Composites Division. He will be charged   with   maximising   the   Group’s   diverse   expertise   in   design,   engineering   and manufacturing, and as a global supplier of advanced composites to many industries, including automotive, defence, aerospace, motorsport, communications and marine.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew Manahan said, “Lola is a globally recognised brand, with an excellent reputation for product quality and customer support. I’ll be joining a highly experienced  workforce  and  am  looking  forward  to  driving  the  worldwide  business  of  Lola Composites to even greater heights.” Recent  examples  of  Lola’s  success  in  the  composites  field  include  the  production  of  a prototype UUV (underwater unmanned vehicle) built for BAe systems; the company’s recent contract to design and manufacture tooling for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) element of the  UK’s  Watchkeeper  Tactical  UAV  programme;  and  Lola’s  long  term  production  of  resin infused composite panels supplied for the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Martin  Birrane,  Executive  Chairman  of  the  Lola  Group  said,  “We’re  delighted  to  welcome Andrew at this important period for Lola. We’re currently working on a number of extremely high   profile   composites   initiatives,   and   in   2008   we   will   celebrate   the   company’s   50th anniversary.   We’re   sure   his   wealth   of   industry   knowledge   and   experience   will   prove invaluable.”