ATS makes executive appointments; Broader responsibilities
for four company veterans
TSX: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc., the
world leader in industrial automation, today announced four executive
management appointments in a move to support long-term future growth and
business expansion.
"These appointments reflect two key facts, "said Klaus Woerner, President
and Chief Executive Officer. "First, ATS is a global company with expanding
opportunities and it's important that the management structure is in place now
to fully support our future growth in a controlled and responsible way.
Second, ATS has made a point of nurturing the management talents of its people
and the individuals I've appointed deserve to be given more responsibilities.
They are all capable, motivated professionals who have displayed a clear
understanding of our strategies to build customer and shareholder value. I'm
proud that we are able to promote from within and I look forward to working
with this team over the long-term to extend ATS's industry leadership around
the world."
The four appointments:
- Ron Jutras becomes Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Jutras has held the position of Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary since 1985. A Chartered Accountant, Mr.
Jutras is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University.
- Mike Cybulski becomes Vice President of Automation Systems Operations,
Eastern USA and Canada, which includes the Company's automation systems
facilities in Ontario, Ohio, Michigan and Carolina. A Mechanical
Engineering graduate of Conestoga College, Mr. Cybulski has served the
Company in various progressive roles since 1986 and since 1997 has been
the general manager of the ATS Cambridge Systems Division.
- William Robinson becomes Vice President of Automation Systems
Operations, Western USA and Asia-Pacific. This encompasses the
Company's operations in California, Oregon, Arizona, China, Malaysia
and Singapore as well as Eco-Snow Systems. As general manager, Mr.
Robinson co-founded ATS California in 1991 (formerly Accu-Fab Systems
California Inc.), which was acquired by ATS in 1996. He has
subsequently served in the roles of general manager of Eco-Snow and
most recently ATS Oregon. Mr. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science and
PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of Leeds, England.
- Uwe Geissinger becomes Director of Automation Systems Operations
Europe, with responsibility for facilities in Switzerland, Germany and
France. Mr. Geissinger joined ATS in 1998 as an applications engineer
and was most recently was manager, International Sales and Marketing.
He is a Diploma Mechanical Engineer having graduated from University
Aalen, Germany and completed his thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute for
Manufacturing Techniques and Automation.
Executive Committee Formed
These four executives, along with Bruce Seeley, Vice President ATS
Precision Components and Marilyn Wolfe, Vice President of Human Resources -
also two long-serving executives - will form a newly created executive
committee reporting to Mr. Woerner.
"This new structure formalizes the approach we've been following for some
time which has ensured that all key aspects of our business are operated in a
well-coordinated fashion," said Mr. Woerner. "So certainly, this is an
evolutionary move. By formalizing this structure and tasking these executives
with more responsibilities, we will see long-term benefits as ATS grows and
expands. For me personally, this structure offers several advantages,
including the ability to spend more time on the strategic development of our
business and technical capabilities, which I see as my primary, long-term
role. I'd like to congratulate the four executives who have received
promotions and commend both Bruce Seeley and Marilyn Wolfe for contributions
they've made in the past and will make as part of the executive committee."
About ATS Automation Tooling Systems
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com ) is the
industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automation manufacturing
and test systems, which are used in a variety of industries including:
automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The
company also makes precision components, sub- and assemblies using its own
customer-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation
technology. Through Photowatt International S.A., and Spheral Solar(TM) Power
Inc., ATS is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar
energy. ATS employs approximately 3,200 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the
United States, Europe and Asia. The company's shares are traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.
Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release,
including statements regarding possible future business. Investors are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of
ATS's products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks
detailed from time to time in ATS's periodic reports filed with Canadian
regulatory authorities.
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For further information: Ron Jutras, Chief Financial Officer, (519) 653 6500 To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.ca and click on reports@cnw.
© 2002 Canada Newswire Ltd.