Pacific International, a globally recognised retained executive search firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Alström to its Advisory Board, following the board’s formation earlier this year.
Eric Alström is a global executive with more than 20 years of C-suite and senior leadership experience across the industrial technology, electrification, hydraulics, mobility, and automotive sectors. His career spans Europe, Asia, and North America, where he has led large international organisations through transformation, integration, and sustained profitable growth. His appointment further strengthens Pacific’s ability to help clients identify and attract transformative C-suite leaders while reducing the risks associated with executive hiring. Together with fellow Advisory Board members Bjarne Sandager Nielsen and Sameer Pagnis, Eric brings deep operational expertise and executive experience that complement Pacific’s proven track record in leadership appointment and assessment, ensuring that newly hired executives are strategically aligned, culturally matched, and positioned for long-term success.
The Advisory Board serves as a strategic resource and sounding board for Pacific International’s executive team and clients. Its members offer sector-specific insight and guidance on leadership challenges and support the identification of high-impact leaders who align with organisational strategy and culture. Their contributions strengthen Pacific’s mission to elevate critical executive placements where leadership decisions shape long-term business performance.
Eric Alström is an international business leader with more than two decades of C-suite and executive experience across industrial technology, automotive, and manufacturing.
Most recently, he served as President of Danfoss Power Solutions, the largest business segment within the Danfoss Group, where he held full global P&L responsibility from 2012 to 2025. Under his leadership, the business evolved into a market-leading provider of hydraulic, electronic, software, and electrification systems for off-highway, on-highway, and marine applications. He led the acquisition and integration of Eaton Hydraulics, one of the sector’s largest transactions, successfully implementing a new operating model within 90 days and accelerating financial consolidation. During his tenure, the segment consistently outperformed competitors, increased R&D investment by 50 percent, built a leading electrification portfolio through targeted acquisitions, and achieved record revenues of €5.1 billion in 2022.
Before joining Danfoss, Eric served as Managing Director of Benteler Automotive, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers. He co-led a global division with €5.4 billion in revenue, 73 plants, and more than 23,000 employees, with responsibilities spanning aluminium systems, carbon fibre products, engineering services, and defence. He also oversaw global functions including quality, supply chain, IT, and R&D, and held operational responsibility for the Asia Pacific and North America regions.
Earlier in his career, Eric held senior leadership roles at General Motors in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the United States. His positions included Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain for GM Europe and General Director of the Subaru–Fuji Heavy Industries Alliance in Japan. His work involved leading large-scale purchasing operations, delivering significant material cost reductions, driving organisational restructuring, and managing the successful and well-regarded dissolution of the GM–FHI alliance, an accomplishment recognised with the GM Chairman’s Honours Award.
In addition to his Advisory Board role at Pacific International, Eric currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Hiab OY, Concentric AB, and Sunlight Group.
Eric commented,
“I’m delighted to join Pacific International as an advisor. Building and advancing global talent has been central to my career, and I look forward to partnering with the Pacific International team to further that mission.”
David Howells, CEO of Pacific International Executive Search, added,
“With the continued expansion of Pacific International’s Advisory Board, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping our clients build exceptional executive leadership teams. Eric Alström brings world-class insight from the industrial technology, electrification, hydraulics, and climate solutions sectors, exemplifying the expertise, experience, and integrity we bring to every engagement. We are delighted to welcome him to the Pacific team and as a new member of the Advisory Board.”
Eric can be contacted via email: eric.alstrom@pacific-international.com