Mark Woods, chief supply chain officer at the Maxol Group, has been elected president of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) at the the group's AGM in Naas.

Woods said he was "deeply honoured to accept the position" and remarked on the importance of industry diversity and collaboration, emphasising SIMI's commitment to supporting members from different sectors.

He also highlighted the challenges facing the industry, including climate change objectives and promoting road safety.

Additionally, Woods called for a coordinated national strategy to support the adoption of electric vehicles and to embrace biofuels, like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), particularly in the heavy vehicle sector.

"There needs to be acoordinated national strategy- one that combines infrastructure, policy reform, and cultural change," said Woods.

"The existing incentives for Battery Electric Vehicles have been vital in shifting behaviour and must be maintained, while the diesel rebate scheme for commercial vehicles should be extended to cover HVO. 

"Without that investment now, the cost to the State—both financial and environmental—will only grow.”

At Maxol, Woods is reposnisble for management of all aspects operations, logistics, storage, and safe transportation of products as well as the significant capital and operational spend associated with those activities.

He is also very active in the area of future fuels and responsible for developing the group's thinking on the emergence of biofuels, electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

He represents Maxol on various in industry bodies including Fuels for Ireland and is a board member of SIMI. Outside of work, he involved in mental health advocacy with Aware and a supporter of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Guide Dogs NI.

Woods also reaffirmed SIMI’s commitment to working with the government to achieve climate change objectives for a sustainable future.

Photo: Mark Woods, president of SIMI. (Pic: Supplied)