TROY, Mich., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker has been named President and CEO of Behr America, a leading supplier of automotive air conditioning and engine cooling systems.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110201/DE40096LOGO)
He previously was Vice President, Operations for the company. He is also a member of the Behr America Executive Committee.
He joined Behr in 2007 as Vice President, responsible for Behr's cost reduction and footprint activities, and soon thereafter assumed responsibility for all Behr America production locations as Vice President, Operations.
Uhlenbecker succeeds Heinz-J. Otto who came to Behr America in 2009 at the height of the automotive market crisis to lead the company's turnaround efforts. The company achieved turnaround a year ahead of schedule.
"Heinz did a wonderful job of leading Behr through the tumultuous times in the automotive industry during the past couple of years," said Peter Grunow, Behr Group Chairman and CEO. "Behr is in a much stronger position now than when he joined the company and we thank him for his vision and guidance."
"Wilm's leadership skills have been battle-tested at Behr America," said Otto. "He led an extensive, successful restructuring effort as Vice President, Operations. Behr America is in good hands."
Uhlenbecker's prior experience includes management positions in operations, quality and strategy including holding the general manager position in a German-Japanese joint venture in South Carolina.
He earned a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering in Aachen, Germany as well as a masters in business management in Aachen, Germany.
Behr's North American headquarters is in Troy, Michigan. Behr America has nearly 2,200 employees at facilities in Troy, Mich.; Dayton, Ohio; Charleston, S.C.; Fort Worth, Texas, and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, Germany, is a systems partner for the international automobile industry. A specialist for automotive air-conditioning and engine-cooling systems, the Behr Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of original equipment for passenger and commercial vehicles. Group sales in the 2010 business year came to approximately $4.4 billion. Currently, Behr employs approximately 15,600 staff at 9 development locations, 22 production locations and 10 joint ventures worldwide.
Additional information is available at www.behrgroup.com.
SOURCE Behr America
