Tennant CEO Announces Leadership Team

Minneapolis, MN, November 28, 2005--Tennant Co. reported that Chris Killingstad, president and CEO as of December 1, has announced the company's senior management team. Andy Eckert has been named vice president of North America Sales. Eckert, who has been general sales manager for the Western Division since 2002, will oversee sales in the U.S. and Canada, comprising the company's largest business region. Steven Coopersmith, vice president of Global Marketing since 2003, will now report directly to the CEO and will join Eckert in leading the North America business. Together, they will ensure a strong sales and marketing partnership. Tom Dybsky, vice president of Administration, who has been with the company since 1998, expands his responsibility to include human resources, North America customer service, risk management and North America field service. As previously announced, Heidi Hoard, currently assistant general counsel, assumes the role of vice president, general counsel and secretary. Mark Fleigle, vice president of Global Research and Development, continues in his role, as does Anthony Lenders, vice president and general manager of Europe, and Bob Luck, vice president and general manager of the company's International business unit, which encompasses parts of Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, Central and South America. Rex Carter, senior vice president of Operations and Systems, has been selected to lead the company's China expansion, a strategic initiative to expand global sourcing from the region and begin production of equipment targeted primarily at the China region. "Leveraging our high-quality manufacturing expertise and low-cost procurement in China are key strategic initiatives for Tennant that have the potential to significantly increase the company's long-term profitable growth," said Killingstad, who replaces retiring president and CEO Janet Dolan. "Our decision to manufacture products specifically for the China region strengthens our competitive position in this important region. These actions align with our global strategy to further enhance our operational efficiency and manufacture products closer to our customers." "Our goal for the China facility is to produce high-quality, competitively priced floor-cleaning machines in order to gain a significant share of this growing market," said Carter. "This expansion represents an ongoing investment. We continue to refine our plans, but we are committed to timely communication to employees and our investment community to inform them of this endeavor as we deploy resources to China and engage employees in this undertaking," Carter explained. Tennant does not expect its existing manufacturing workforce in the U.S. and Europe to be affected by this expansion. "We intend to continue to manufacture Tennant products in North America for the North American market, which is our largest source of revenue, and to manufacture in Europe for our European markets," said Killingstad. "The China expansion is among the key strategic initiatives that Tennant is undertaking to further distinguish itself in the marketplace. I am confident that this senior management team is solidly positioned to lead Tennant through its next great era," said Killingstad.

Print the Article