Metzeler North America Announces New CEO
CHICAGO & DETROIT--Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems – North America (“Metzeler”), recently acquired by Wynnchurch Capital, announced it has named Rob DePierre as its new CEO. Headquartered in Madison Heights, a suburb of Detroit, with operating facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, Metzeler is a leading designer and manufacturer of a complete line of highly-engineered vehicle sealing systems for doors, windows, trunks, lift gates, sunroofs and hoods.
Prior to joining Metzeler, Mr. DePierre spent twenty years with Benteler Automotive, most recently running Benteler’s North American operations. In 2006, Mr. DePierre joined Wynnchurch Capital as an operating partner and served as CEO of Android Industries, another Wynnchurch Capital portfolio company. Mr. DePierre’s extensive experience leading large automotive supplier organizations was a natural fit for Metzeler. When asked about his new position at Metzeler, Mr. DePierre commented, “I am truly excited about the opportunity to work with such a well managed company. My plan is to continue working with the management team to deliver the highest quality engineered products while providing industry leading customer service.”
Mr. DePierre’s operational and process oriented background fits in well at Metzeler, a company that has focused on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to thrive in the increasingly demanding automotive industry. Metzeler designs, manufactures and sells elastomeric vehicle sealing systems which seal interior compartments of the vehicle from water, dust, and air leakage while reducing noise, vibration and harshness. The Company is the third largest provider of vehicle sealing systems for automotive OEM and Tier 1 suppliers in North America. Over its long history, Metzeler has earned a reputation for innovation and technological leadership.
“The management team has developed first class systems and processes that take advantage of superior design capabilities, stringent quality control and vertically integrated manufacturing,” added Terry Theodore, Partner at Wynnchurch Capital. “With the addition of Rob’s leadership, we believe that Metzeler is well positioned to grow by partnering with its customers and addressing their requirements for manufacturing excellence.”
Ian Kirson, Managing Director at Wynnchurch Capital, stated, “Metzeler’s commitment to continuous process improvement, customer service and cost reduction has allowed the company to stand out as a leader in the highly competitive automotive vehicle sealing systems space.”
About Metzeler:
Headquartered in Madison Heights, a suburb of Detroit, with operating facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, Metzeler is a leading designer and manufacturer of a complete line of highly-engineered vehicle sealing systems for doors, windows, trunks, lift gates, sunroofs and hoods.
About Wynnchurch Capital:
Located in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois and founded in 1999, Wynnchurch Capital is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada which have outstanding management teams and possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with capital under management in excess of $500 million specializing in management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, restructurings and growth capital investments. More information on Wynnchurch Capital can be found at www.wynnchurch.com.