Solera Reorganizes Its Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Region to Transition From an Emerging Market to an Evolving Market

DALLAS, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Solera Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLH), the leading provider of software and services to the automobile insurance claims processing industry, today announced that its CEE Region, one of Solera's major revenue growth drivers, has transitioned from an emerging to an evolving market.

"Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in the 'localization' of our products and services and the development of key client relationships across the CEE Region, which spans 19 countries," said Tony Aquila, founder, chairman and CEO of Solera.  "During its emerging market phase, the CEE regional leadership team has done a great job with key customers on the implementation of our core platform.  As the CEE Region continues to evolve, it is now time to operationalize CEE to better deploy our additional high value products and services and better support the evolving market needs of our customers.  In addition and as we raise the bar higher in operationalizing our business in the CEE Region, we will be redeploying proven personnel and extending their scope of responsibility."

David Sheperd has been selected as interim Managing Director for the CEE Region to lead this transition.  Prior to his appointment, David was the Global Account Manager for Allianz, one of Solera's largest global accounts.  Guido Kutschera has been selected as the new Global Account Manager for Allianz.  Guido joined Audatex Germany, Solera's operating company in Germany, last year as its Head of Sales.  Allianz has its global headquarters in Munich.  

In addition, proven operators qualified in the Solera Way will assume expanded geographic responsibility within the Region.  Mariusz Klimczak, currently the Managing Director for Poland, will also lead the Ukraine and Belarus.  Mariusz has led Poland for the last 14 years and, under his leadership, Poland has been the largest revenue contributor to the Region.  Georghe Axinte, currently the Managing Director for Romania, will also lead Turkey.  Georghe has been with Solera for five years and has driven the accelerated growth of Romania during this period of time.  

Recently, Alexandre Alexandrov, former Business Development Manager for the CEE Region, was selected as Managing Director for Russia.  Alex has been with Solera for the past five years.  In addition, Ferdinand Moers, a Managing Director of AUTOonline Germany, is working across the CEE Region to enhance and expand the delivery of AUTOonline products and services to customers.

"These individuals are great examples of our increased focus to grow our future leaders from within the organization.  It is no secret we have a very high operating standard in Solera and all of our leaders must demonstrate they are qualified in the Solera Way.  We believe that these moves demonstrate some early dividends coming from our investment in growing qualified people that have the market and cultural awareness to manage activities across geographic borders," said Tony Aquila.

Richard Nathschlaeger, the prior Regional Managing Director for the CEE Region, will be redeployed to create a CEE Advisory Board as a non-executive Vice-Chairman, reporting directly into Tony Aquila our founder, chairman and CEO.  This Board will focus on more strategic matters, including M&A opportunities.

About Solera

Solera is the leading global provider of software and services to the automobile insurance claims processing industry. Solera is active in over 50 countries across six continents. T he Solera companies include Audatex in the United States, Canada, and in more than 45 additional countries, Informex in Belgium, Sidexa in France, ABZ and Market Scan in the Netherlands, HPI in the United Kingdom, Hollander serving the North American recycling market, AUTOonline providing salvage disposition in a number of European and Latin American countries, and IMS providing medical review services.  For more information, please refer to the company's website at http://www.solerainc.com.

SOURCE Solera Holdings, Inc.