SUPPLIERS
Mack Trucks Inc. announced that Dennis R. Slagle will succeed Paul L. Vikner as president and chief executive officer of the company effective April 1, 2008. Slagle has served since 2003 as president and CEO of Volvo Construction Equipment North America, headquartered in Asheville NC. He will be based at Mack's headquarters in Allentown PA. Vikner, who has served as president and CEO since 2001, will become vice-chairman of the Mack board of directors. He will also continue to represent both Mack and its parent company, the Volvo Group, in their work with federal government entities and industry organizations affecting the Volvo Group's North American truck operations. Mack has named Matthew Walsh vice-president-export for its International Operations business, effective immediately. He joined the firm in 1996 and has held positions within International Operations, most recently as director of international parts sales, logistics, and CKD (completely knocked down or disassembled trucks for export) operations.
Joseph Carrico has joined TODCO as regional sales manager, responsible for managing sales to customers in Southern California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. He previously was Pacific Southwest district sales manager for Waltco Liftgates.
Jeff Zawacki is the new general manager of the Hendrickson Bumper and Trim business unit in Joliet IL A 13-year veteran of Hendrickson, he most recently served as director of marketing and engineering for bumper and trim since 2003. Sean Coleman has taken on duties as director of marketing in addition to overseeing program management for Hendrickson Truck Systems Group. A 14-year veteran of Hendrickson, Coleman served as director of truck OEM sales for the past three years.
Eaton Corp. has named Dave Bennett vice-president and general manager for the Truck Group's new Asia-Pacific division, where he will be responsible for all operations and growth initiatives. He most recently was general manager Light- and Medium-Duty Transmission Division for Europe and Asia. Dimitri Kazarinoff will fill the newly established role of general manager for emerging technologies and business development. He served most recently as the director of engineering for the Heavy-Duty Transmission Division. John Coll will move into the Truck Group's newly established role of vice-president-sales. He had been general manager for the Truck Group's Aftermarket and Vehicle Solutions Division since 2003.
Eric Morris, Grote Industries president and chief operating officer, celebrated his 30-year anniversary with the company recently. The native of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, played hockey in the Detroit Red Wing organization before joining Grote. Morris joined Grote Canada Ltd. in 1978 as general manager and was eventually named president. His performance led to his promotion in 2000 to executive vice-president of Grote Industries in Madison IN.
Srikanth Padmanabhan, managing director of Cummins Generator Technologies for the past four years, has been selected to head Cummins Emission Solutions and has been named a vice-president of Cummins Inc. He will be based in Columbus IN.
Accuride Corp. has promoted Leigh Wright to senior vice-president of Accuride Wheels. The company also has hired Edward Gulda as senior vice-president of Brillion and Gunite. Wright previously served as Accuride's vice-president of steel wheels. Gulda most recently served as principal for Kinnick Group LLC, a business-consulting firm focused on mergers, acquisitions, and business turnarounds. He replaces Robert Nida, who departed Accuride to pursue other career opportunities.