ATS further strengthens senior management team with
executive appointments in sales and business development
TSX: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, April 14 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today
announced it has made two executive appointments to reinforce its
industry-leading sales and business development efforts and drive the
Company's strategic marketing efforts to achieve attractive growth in the
near, medium and long term.
Effective immediately, Paul Patterson is appointed Vice President, Sales
and Business Development, Automation Systems Group (ASG). Mr. Patterson was
previously ATS Director of Sales and Marketing within ASG and has played a key
role in the Company's strategic market and customer development efforts since
joining ATS in 1986. Mr. Patterson will report directly to Ron Jutras, ATS
President and Chief Executive Officer, and will be responsible for the
marketing, sales and business development programs in ASG.
Also effective immediately, Mike Fisher is appointed Vice President,
Sales, Automation Systems Group, Eastern North America. Mr. Fisher is also an
ATS veteran having joined the Company in 1990. He was previously Manager of
Sales and Applications Engineering for ATS. In his new role, he will report
directly to Mr. Patterson and take responsibility for the execution of
strategic sales initiatives and the further development of the Company's
world-class sales team in Eastern North America, the group's largest region.
Mr. Fisher will also assist with the development of the group's sales force in
Europe.
In making the appointments, Mr. Jutras, said: "a key element of ATS's
success has been its ability to achieve industry-leading sales growth,
establish new markets, and build trusted, long-term customer relationships.
Paul's and Mike's appointments will help ATS to continue to efficiently
execute sales efforts today while moving strategically to drive long-term
revenue growth. These appointments also reflect the continued transition of
ATS from a highly successful entrepreneurially-lead organization to a
team-based structure comprised of seasoned, capable management with
well-defined roles focused on the execution of our strategy to successfully
grow our business."
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. ATS is also an
emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and
modules and makes precision components and subassemblies using its own
custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation
technology. 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 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: Carl Galloway, Vice President, Treasurer, (519) 653-6500