Component manufacturers

Feb. 1, 2010
Ridewell Suspensions announced that Ted Griffin has joined the company as western regional sales manager. His territory includes Washington, Oregon, California,

Ridewell Suspensions announced that Ted Griffin has joined the company as western regional sales manager. His territory includes Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Alaska. Griffin has been in the commercial truck and trailer industry for 25 years. He has spent the past 12 years specializing in heavy-duty suspensions.

Fontaine Fifth Wheel North America has promoted Steve Mann to vice-president of engineering. He joined the firm in December 1998 as manager of product engineering and was promoted to manager of research and development in 2004.

Steve Robinson has joined Pressure Systems International (PSI) as director of OEM sales and dealer programs. He comes to PSI after 32 years with Alcoa, most recently as national OEM sales manager for its Commercial Vehicle Wheels Division. Robinson was elected in 2006 to serve as chairman of Associates for the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) and is serving on its Associates Policy Committee.

Waltco Lift Corporation has named William Kreutinger vice-president of engineering. He most recently served as vice-president of engineering for Ultron Lift Corp of Buffalo NY. Waltco has appointed Robert Tonon vice-president of technical services. Tonon has spent more than 20 years in the liftgate industry and served with DEL Liftgates, Canadian Liftgates, and Ultron. Waltco has named Randy Reid product director, WDV & Premium Products. He previously was responsible for sales, support, and product direction for the WDV Series railgate manufactured at Waltco.

Vanair Manufacturing announced that Jeffery T Summerlin has taken the position of director of purchasing. He previously was general manager at Fastenal before moving to Sullair. During his time there, he was promoted to positions including product manager for pneumatic tools, purchasing manager, and materials analyst.

Karl Wadensten has been appointed by Rhode Island Gov Donald L Carcieri to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board of directors, subject to review and consent of the Rhode Island State Senate. Wadensten is president of VIBCO Vibrators in Wyoming RI.

Cory Hanlon has become the new sales manager for Palfinger Crayler truck-mounted forklifts for the Midwestern United States. Hanlon joins Palfinger with more than 10 years of experience with truck-mounted forklifts and other material handling equipment.

The Aftermarket Business of Webb Wheel Products has hired Jared Ridenour to fill the newly created position of fleet sales manager. Ridenour has represented companies in the heavy-truck industry for more than 10 years, most recently as division manager for Eastern States Friction LLC.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has announced the retirement of company chairman Bob Oswald. He was appointed chairman of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems in October 2003, after serving as chairman and chief executive officer since March 2002. Before joining Bendix, Oswald was chairman, president, and CEO of Robert Bosch Corporation.

John German has joined Velvac Inc as heavy-duty aftermarket market manager. He has experience in executive sales management positions with Federal Signal in its Commercial Transportation division, Siemens Energy & Automation, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Peter Whitehead has joined Velvac as vice-president of engineering. He spent the past 14 years as engineering manager/director of product development at two other truck mirror manufacturers and at Magna Donnelly's automotive mirror business. Dale A Wittlieff has joined Velvac as director of quality assurance. He has quality management experience with companies such as Cummins Engine and Anixter Fasteners.