Ralph Abato has accepted the newly created position of vice-president of strategic initiatives for Kinedyne Corp. As a board member of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA), he will join Steve Atzeni, Kinedyne's vice-president of North American operations, as a second representative from the firm to the WSTDA. Paul Wolford has joined the firm as director of engineered solutions with responsibilities in the US and Canadian marketplace. He is returning to Kinedyne, where he served more than 18 years from 1981 to 2000. Mark Arnold, formerly with Con-way Freight and FedEx Freight, is joining Kinedyne to improve operational efficiencies via detailed analysis, making productive use of customer feedback, and creation of training programs.
WABCO Holdings Inc has named Nikhil Varty to the newly created position of vice-president, Americas and Mergers & Acquisitions. He will be based in Rochester Hills MI at WABCO North America, the newly created regional headquarters for North and South America. Varty previously was vice-president of WABCO's Compression and Braking global business unit. Michael Thompson has taken the role of vice-president, Compression and Braking. Previously, Thompson was vice-president of WABCO's Car Systems global business unit. He will continue to lead the Car Systems business, which is now integrated into the Compression and Braking unit.
VMAC's Research and Development department has hired Kyle McWilliam, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Victoria. He previously completed the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and the Bridge Program at Camosun College.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has named Nestor Piuma vice-president of quality and product safety. He fills the role vacated by Eddie Wilkinson, who has been appointed president of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products LLC. Piuma spent 22 years at Dana Holding Corporation and most recently was senior director of program management and advanced quality. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has named Todd Swales director of fleet sales, a newly created position. Before joining the firm, he was with Meritor, serving as manager of field sales and service for Meritor WABCO since 2010.
Karmak Inc has named Duff Bell as director of sales. In this newly created position, Bell will direct the sales team covering the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He has worked 12 years for Karmak and served with Vickers Truck Equipment and Great Way Trailers. Bell also serves on the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) board of directors as an allied director.