Trailer, truck, & body OEMs

Jan. 1, 2013
Read the Names in the News from December 2012

Pitts Enterprises Inc has promoted Justin Bridges to president of the Pitts Trailers division. He is charged with guiding the sales and manufacturing workforce in the company's Pittsview AL facility. Bridges has served as an integral part of the development of the Pitts brand and product line.

Polar Tank Trailer has hired Jim Bach as director of materials, responsible for planning, master scheduling, and inventory optimization for the company's manufacturing operations in Opole and Holdingford MN. Bach spent nearly 17 years in senior management positions focused on forecasting, demand planning, materials handling, distribution, and quality within the medical device industry.

Felling Trailers Inc has hired Kyle Wald as its lead product engineer responsible for new trailer designs and enhancements. He will also assist in improving engineering standards and processes. Wald brings more than 10 years experience in engineering, four of them specific to trailer engineering. Most recently, he served as the engineering manager for Millerbernd Manufacturing.

Dealers/distributors

Jeff Sandt has rejoined HDA Truck Pride as vice-president of product development. Sandt rejoins the firm with 22 years of industry experience on the automotive and commercial vehicle segments. Prior to rejoining HDA Truck Pride, he spent the past two years as business development manager for the water pump portfolio at Gates Corporation.

Midwest Wheel has appointed Andy Barkley branch manager, Sioux City IA, reporting to John Minor. Barkley has eight years of experience in territory management with the company and a background in management and distribution. Midwest Wheel has appointed Todd Scheitler territory manager, reporting to Barkley and Minor. He has more than a year of experience as a territory assistant. Dave Reiff has retired as branch manager, Sioux City and will continue to assist territory managers and on special projects in 2013. Reiff has been with Midwest Wheel for 12 years.

Component manufacturers

Ancra International announced that Mark Daugherty has been promoted to vice-president general manager of the Cargo Systems Division. He joined Ancra in May 2011 and most recently was general manager for S-Line, a division of Ancra in Grand Saline TX. Tom Leone will remain with Cargo Systems as vice-president and active through management of special projects while supporting the transition of his duties to Daugerty. Leone also will work with the military sales team focusing on initiatives to further grow that segment.

Kinedyne Corporation announces the promotion of Paul Wolford to vice-president of sales and marketing. He recently returned to Kinedyne, where he spent more than 18 years in pivotal roles attributing to the company's growth. This change in leadership is a result of the resignation of Larry Harrison, Kinedyne's former vice-president of sales and marketing. Additionally, Ralph Abato has resigned as vice-president of strategic initiatives to pursue other opportunities.

Truck-Lite announced that Bob Ives has been named executive vice-president of business development, and Beth W English joined the organization as vice-president of marketing. Ives will continue to oversee the pricing and market planning departments and will remain a member of the company's Planning and Operations Group and the company's export compliance officer. English comes to Truck-Lite with 27 years of marketing experience, most recently serving as vice-president/general manager of Blair Corporation in Warren PA.

Michael Sigillito was recently named vice-president of Firestone Industrial Products Americas. His previous experience includes a 27-year tenure with Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, where he served in several key sales and marketing management roles. In 2009, he joined the Firestone Industrial Products team as sales and marketing director.

Firestone Industrial Products Europe BV recently appointed Toine Frazer as its new distributor sales manager in Europe. Prior to joining Firestone in 2008 as original equipment area sales manager and senior sales engineer at the company's technical center in Arnhem, The Netherlands, Frazer held a variety of sales positions with companies including Banner Benelux BV, Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV, and Groeneveld Transport Efficiency BV.

Raymond Kobeski has joined Sika Automotive Division USA as an engineering technician. Prior to joining Sika, he worked as a test technician at Meritor for two years.

Eaton Corporation announced that John Beering has been named senior vice-president and general manager-Commercial Vehicle Transmission business, reporting to Tim Sinden, president-North America Truck Operations. Beering, most recently vice-president and general manager for Eaton's Global Vehicle Group Aftermarket and Clutch business, will continue to be based in Galesburg MI and serve in a dual role until a successor for his previous position is identified. Eaton announced that Dave Karnes has been named director-Roadranger field sales and marketing North American Truck, reporting to Sinden. Karnes most recently served as sales manager on the Navistar and Caterpillar accounts. He will continue to be based in Galesburg MI.