INDUSTRY NEWS
Kohler announces leadership changes
At its 2015 annual meeting, the Kohler Co. board of directors
announced two executive management moves.
The Kohler board elected Herb Kohler Jr., chairman and
chief executive officer (CEO), as executive chairman, effective
June 1. He will continue to chair the board, lead its executive
committee, oversee shareholder communications, and manage
corporate mergers and acquisitions and the hospitality & real
estate group. The board also elected David Kohler, president
and chief operating officer (COO) since 2009, as president and
CEO. His duties will expand to include responsibility for the
company's corporate staff and three of its business groups.
Kohler Co. has a comprehensive succession plan for all
middle- and upper-management positions. This change is part
of an orderly transition to ensure the company is able to adhere
to its mission of creating a higher level of gracious living and
guiding principles of living on the leading edge of design and
technology while maintaining a single level of quality.
"I am confident that after 24 years with the company and
seven years as president and COO, David is prepared to take on
the chief executive role and to grow Kohler Co.," said Herb Kohler.
David Kohler brings to the role an
extensive business and management
experience, including progressive
leadership positions at Kohler Co. and
experience with other companies. Under
his leadership, the company will remain
focused on innovation and technology
and build its internal talent pool to
ensure continued business success. He
will advance the company's three-plank
sustainability platform: reducing its
environmental footprint, developing
more plumbing product options that
enable consumers to conserve water in their homes, and supporting
important environmental awareness and education causes.
In his new role as executive chairman, Herb Kohler looks
forward to ensuring leadership continuity. "We are fortunate to
have a solid foundation in place," he said. He added he draws
upon his passion for exploration. "Our job is to explore and to
discover, and each day try to break new ground."
34 AUGUST 2015 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com
Husqvarna Group announces management succession plans
Husqvarna Group recently announced
the appointments of Henric Andersson
as president of the Construction Division
and Brian Belanger as general counsel
and senior vice president, legal affairs.
The company also replaced Anders
Ströby and Olle Wallén, respective-
ly, who have reached retirement age.
Andersson and Belanger will be members
of Husqvarna Group management, and
they will assume their new positions as of
August 2015.
Andersson, senior vice president, tech-
nology office, joined Husqvarna Group
in 1997 and has served numerous roles in
product, business and category manage-
ment, such as executive vice president,
product management and development,
as well as vice president, construction
equipment within the construction busi-
ness area. He has a Master of Science
in Industrial Engineering & Management
from Linköping Institute of Technology,
Sweden. Andersson succeeds Ströby, who
is retiring after 35 years with the Group.
Belanger has held the position of vice
president of legal affairs for the Gardena
Division and the Asia/Pacific region. He
joined the Husqvarna Group in 2006, fol-
lowing a decade of law firm experience. In
1995, he graduated from Duke University
School of Law, where he earned a joint
degree: Juris Doctor and L.L.M. (Master's
degree in International & Comparative
Law). Belanger succeeds Wallén, who is
retiring after 22 years with the Group.
"I want to thank Anders Ströby and
Olle Wallén for their devoted contribu-
tions during many years," said Kai Wärn,
president and CEO of Husqvarna Group.
"Their roles in creating the Husqvarna
Group of today has been significant.
Anders and Olle have been very valued
colleagues, and they will be missed. Now,
as their mentees are stepping up fill-
ing their positions, I feel excited seeing
both Henric and Brian advancing in their
careers, taking on new challenges."
David Kohler
Continued from page 9
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AUGUST 2015
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