Skip to main content

BIA announces new CEO & strengthens management team with new VP sales & marketing

BIA Group, a major player in distributing equipment and services for the mining and quarrying, construction, transport and energy supply sectors, has unveiled its new CEO.
By Guy Woodford May 7, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Romain Bia (right) will take up his position as CEO on October 1, and Vincent Bia will take the role of Chairman of the Board, continuing to contribute his expertise and strategic vision. Pic: BIA Group

Vincent Bia, the current CEO, is handing over the reins of general management to Romain Bia, representing the fourth generation of the founder's family. This transition, decided and validated by the Board of Directors and the family, reflects the solidity and continuity of the company, which has been in business since 1902.

Vincent Bia and Romain Bia will co-lead the company for a two-month period from August 1, 2024, ensuring a smooth and efficient handover. Romain Bia will take up his position as CEO on October 1st, and Vincent Bia will take the role of Chairman of the Board, continuing to contribute his expertise and strategic vision.

At the same time, the company is pleased to announce the arrival of Mariem Maiga as Vice-President Sales & Marketing, replacing Romain Bia. With over 20 years of experience in the sector, notably with Epiroc and Atlas Copco, her mission will be to strengthen the BIA Group's presence in its Benelux and African markets, where the company has developed its activities in the distribution of premium brands, including Komatsu, and associated maintenance services.

Vincent BIA expresses his confidence in this new step: "Passing the torch to the next generation is a moment of great pride and emotion for me. I'm convinced that Romain has the vision, dynamism and skills needed to steer the company to new heights. This transition ensures continuity in our company's values and ambitions while opening the door to new opportunities and innovations."

Romain Bia, future CEO, shares his vision for the future: "I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my father, the company and the Board of Directors. Taking on the leadership of the BIA Group is an honour and an important responsibility. With 1300 passionate employees and premium partners at my side, I am confident that we can continue to develop our market position. Digitization, sustainability and innovation will be important areas of development to continue bringing more value to our customers."

After four years in Consulting at Accenture, Romain Bia joined the company in 2011. Over the past 13 years, he has spent nine years in Africa and four years in Belgium. His career at BIA has been varied and comprehensive. He started out in finance (management controller, subsidiary, and regional financial director) before moving on to management roles, notably as Country Manager in Ivory Coast and Regional General Manager in Africa. He is currently Vice President of Sales and marketing, a position he has held since 2021.

Related Content

  • Road user subscriptions will fund the road ecosystems of the future says ERF Lab
    December 14, 2018
    The highway of the future will not be a physical asset created and maintained by the construction industry … it will increasingly be seen as part of an emerging global services sector. “Every day we hear about Mobility as a Service (MaaS), but what about Roads as a Service?” says Christophe Nicodème, general director of the European Union Road Federation (ERF). “The role of the road is changing. We need to think much more carefully about planning (highway) infrastructure in terms of people’s needs. We must
  • Massenza showcases new Strassmeyer brand at bauma
    April 14, 2016
    This year’s bauma provides the perfect opportunity for bitumen technology firm Massenza to promote its new relationship with Strassmeyer, a Polish-based company which makes equipment for road repair and maintenance. Massenza became the majority shareholder in Strassmeyer at the end of last year, adding a complimentary range of plant to Massenza’s established range of bitumen handling equipment. “We are now starting to promote the brand through our network of agents which covers almost 100 countries in th
  • Speed awareness programme reduces repeat offending
    February 27, 2012
    The satellite navigation leads me along a series of minor roads until it chirps, "You have arrived at your destination." And there is the sports centre I've been looking for, so I indicate, turn into the entrance and squeeze my car into the last narrow parking space available. I'm here to attend an innovative road safety programme being carried out in the UK on speed awareness. Drivers caught just over the speed limit have the option of points on their license, and subsequent increases in insurance costs, o
  • Merlo plans manufacturing revolution with a modular approach
    January 6, 2017
    Italy’s Merlo Group is part way through a dramatic transformation project which will see the telehandler manufacturer switch to a modular production model for its complete range of machines. According to president Amilcare Merlo, the company has already invested Euro100m in the project and expects to spend more. “We are at the middle of the river: we have to get to the other side,” Merlo told a press conference at Intermat 2015. “People believe in what we are doing and for me that is the most important thin