Tom Skidmore Adds Global Supply Responsibilities

For Immediate Release


 


 


Contact: Scott Howat


Director of Corporate Communications

Affinia Group Inc.

(734) 827-5421

 

Tom Skidmore Adds Global Supply Responsibilities

 

Will Direct Under Vehicle Procurement and

Lead Affinia Global Procurement Council 

 

            ANN ARBOR, MICH., (Oct. 4, 2006) - Affinia Group Inc., a
global leader in the on- and off-highway replacement parts and service
industry, has announced the appointment of Thomas Skidmore to the
position of Vice President of Strategic Business Development and Global
Supply.  

Skidmore will have global responsibility for all Under Vehicle Group
procurement activities as well as development of new manufacturing
alliances.  Skidmore will continue to develop and manage the Asian
offices related to establishing sources of supply and potential
strategic business opportunities.  In addition he will lead Affinia's
Global Procurement Council.  This group oversees quality and supply
chain initiatives and quality control as Affinia expands its global
manufacturing and sourcing base. 

            In his new role Skidmore will report directly to John R.
Washbish, President of Customer Relationship Management and Vice
President/General Manager of the Under Vehicle Group.  

            "In his former job as Vice President of Strategic Business
Development, Tom did an outstanding job in helping Affinia reshape its
worldwide manufacturing footprint and enhance its global sourcing
efforts," Washbish said. "In this expanded role Tom will assure that we
realize full benefit from the global network his team has created over
the past 18 months.  At the same time he will continue to seek new
manufacturing and sourcing opportunities for Affinia.  Our customers
rely on us to provide them with the best quality and best value
possible, and that requires searching every corner of the globe as Tom
and his have done." 

            "Tom has been instrumental in establishing business offices
for Affinia in Asia, and will continue to drive Affinia's global supply
efforts to fully benefit our customer base," said Terry McCormack,
President and CEO of Affinia.  "As we work through our restructuring we
will reposition top level people as our changing business requires.  Our
goal is to be ready to take full advantage of our emerging structure as
early as possible, and moves like this will ensure it." 

Prior to joining Affinia, Skidmore worked with A.T. Kearney in Chicago
as part of their Global Automotive Practice.  During that time, he
managed multiple business development initiatives as well as a broad
array of consulting engagements focused on revenue growth and cost
reduction.   

Skidmore holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering
from the University of Texas at El Paso.  He earned a master of business
administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management with majors
in operations, strategy and finance.

Affinia Group Inc. is a global leader in the on- and off-highway
replacement parts and service industry. In North America the Affinia
family of brands includes WIX(r) Filters, Raybestos(r) brand brakes and
Aimco(r) brake products, and McQuay-Norris(r) and Spicer(r) Chassis
parts. South American and European brands include Nakata(r), Urba(r) and
Quinton Hazell(r). Affinia has operations in 19 countries and more than
11,000 people dedicated to keeping the world's wheels turning. For more
information, visit www.affiniagroup.com <http://www.affiniagroup.com/> .

 

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