ATS appoints Ron Jutras President and Chief Executive
Officer; Gerry Beard Chief Financial Officer
TSX: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of ATS today
appointed Ron Jutras as President and Chief Executive Officer following the
tragic passing of its founder Klaus Woerner from cancer yesterday.
Mr. Jutras joined ATS in 1985 as Chief Financial Officer and was most
recently Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief
Financial Officer. He is also a Director of the Company and member of the
executive management committee.
In making the announcement, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Lawrence G. Tapp said: "Ron is an ATS veteran who is well known by
shareholders, employees, customers and the Board alike as a skilled and
dedicated leader with strong operational and financial knowledge. In this way,
his appointment is both logical and appropriate. But more than this, Klaus
identified Ron as his natural successor many years ago and the two worked
side-by-side for almost 20 years. I believe that under Ron's guidance, ATS
will continue to expand its industry-leading competitive advantages and drive
results for our customers and shareholders in the years to come."
Said Mr. Jutras: "Speaking on behalf of all of us at ATS, it's been both
an honour and a privilege working with Klaus. As a result of Klaus's efforts
we have a very strong, committed management team at ATS and all of us are
focused on continuing what Klaus so successfully started and skillfully
nurtured over these many years. This is a sad time for all of us at ATS and
our thoughts and prayers are with Klaus's family."
Mr. Jutras added that "ATS and I will continue to benefit from the
skilled leadership of our executive committee, which Klaus established in
recognition of the growth and increased scope of our business."
The executive committee was formalized in 2002 to lead the operational
direction of the Company. It is comprised of Mike Cybulski, Vice President of
Automation Systems Operations, Canada and Eastern USA, Jim Sheldon, Vice
President of Automation Systems Operations, Western USA, Marilyn Wolfe, Vice
President of Human Resources, Uwe Geissinger, Director of Automation Systems
Operations Europe, Bruce Seeley, Vice President Precision Components Group and
Mr. Jutras.
New CFO Appointed
Mr. Jutras today appointed Gerry Beard, CA as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of ATS. Mr. Beard joined ATS in 2001 and most recently
served as the Company's Director of Corporate Finance. He is an honours
graduate of the University of Waterloo, obtained his CPA designation in 2001,
his Chartered Business Valuator designation in 1999 and his CA designation in
1996. Prior to joining ATS, Mr. Beard was a senior manager at KPMG working
with public companies in Canada and the US.
"Gerry has worked very closely with our executive team in establishing
our financial and operating plans over the past four years, he knows ATS
extremely well and will be a value asset to the Company for many years to
come," said Mr. Jutras. "I personally thank Gerry and our entire finance
department for playing an increasingly large role after I assumed the
responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer last spring."
Corporate Description
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com) is the
industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing
and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations
operating in a variety of industries including: automotive,
computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also
makes precision components and subassemblies using its own custom-built
manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology. ATS is
also an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells
and modules. ATS employs approximately 4,000 people at 26 manufacturing
facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. 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 growth prospects for the business and the
impact of changes in management. 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: Carl Galloway, Corporate Treasurer, (519) 653-6500