Component manufacturers

Oct. 1, 2010
Ridewell Suspensions has named Gary Tombridge as quality director. The Springfield MO native developed his 20-plus years of experience in quality management

Ridewell Suspensions has named Gary Tombridge as quality director. The Springfield MO native developed his 20-plus years of experience in quality management and manufacturing quality control in Dayton OH and Tulsa OK before returning to Springfield in 1997 to raise his family.

Fontaine Fifth Wheel and its aftermarket parts subsidiary, Fontaine Parts Connection, announce personnel and organizational changes. Fontaine Parts Connection has established a new customer support department, and Aaron Puckett has been promoted from OEM business manager for Volvo and Mack to director of customer support. Robbie Laney has been hired as a product sales engineer, reporting to Puckett. Laney most recently spent four years as a steel foundry engineer for American Cast Iron Pipe Company. Bert Ellis joins the Fontaine Fifth Wheel sales team to fill Puckett's former role as OEM sales manager, as well as key account manager for the Southeast region. Ellis most recently served as a regional sales manager for a fluorescent lighting manufacturer. Fontaine Fifth Wheel has hired Mike Caggiano to serve dual sales management roles as OEM sales manager responsible for Daimler Trucks North America and Paccar, as well as key account manager for the Midwest region. He spent more than 17 years with Carlisle Corporation, most recently serving as director of sales and marketing for high-speed products at Carlisle Tire and Wheel Company.

AL-KO Kober Corp has named Rick Boday as its new vice-president of procurement and supply at the company's US corporate headquarters in Elkhart IN. His background includes post-graduate studies in quality assurance and technology management as well as progressive management positions in operations, quality, commercial program management, and purchasing.

Jim Frazzini has been promoted to vice-president of operations for TODCO in Marion OH. An employee of the company for 10 years, he has served as plant manager at the Upper Sandusky plant complex, operations manager, and director of operations for the division.

Kinedyne Corporation has appointed Terry O'Connor national accounts manager, a newly created position. A veteran of more than 30 years in the commercial transport industry, O'Connor joined Kinedyne in 2005 as an account manager covering the southeastern United States.

Richard N Hiltunen has joined Standex International Corporation as president of its Custom Hoists Inc subsidiary. He most recently served as vice-president and general manager of the Compact Hydraulic and Cooling Systems business units of Hydac Corporation, a privately held global hydraulic products manufacturer headquartered in Germany.

Midwest Wheel Companies announced that Larry Vickers received its 16th annual Don Shoemaker/Scott Wilson Annual Representative of the Year Award. Vickers is employed by Trans-Pro Associates of Lee's Summit MO and has more than 15 years of truck parts industry experience.