ASHA Strengthens Board of Directors with Former Ford and Chrysler Executives; New Directors Bring International Expertise
29 September 1997
ASHA Strengthens Board of Directors with Former Ford and Chrysler Executives; New Directors Bring International Expertise
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Sept. 29 -- ASHA Corporation
announces the appointments of Nick P. Bartolini, and
Erick A. Reickert to the company's Board of Directors, effective October 15,
1997.
Mr. Bartolini is president of Bartolini Associates with offices in London,
England, and Santa Barbara, California. The company provides process
re-engineering and sales consultant services to automotive Tier I suppliers
both in Europe and the U.S. Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Bartolini
worked for Ford Motor Company's international operations for more than
30 years. He was responsible for vehicle sales in the Asia-Pacific and
European markets. In 1989, he was named Vice President of Parts and Service
Operations for Ford of Europe where he was responsible for the company's
$2.2 billion world-wide aftermarket sales. He held this position until 1994
when he retired from Ford and started his own company.
Mr. Bartolini holds a B.S. degree with Honors from the University of Notre
Dame and an MBA with Honors from the University of Detroit.
"Mr. Bartolini brings more than 33 years of automotive product development
experience to ASHA," says Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alain J-M
Clenet. "With his involvement in strategic alliances and sales turnaround
situations in 19 European and Pacific Rim countries, he brings an
international expertise to ASHA that will strengthen our efforts to market our
products globally."
Mr. Reickert has an extensive international background in product
planning, marketing, manufacturing and finance. During his 12-year career at
Chrysler, he had served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler de
Mexico, Acustar, and New Venture Gear where he was responsible for the total
operation of these companies. In addition to these assignments, he was also
Vice President of Powertrain Operations, Chrysler Corporation, responsible for
12 manufacturing plants producing engines, transmissions, and automotive
parts. Prior to joining Chrysler, Mr. Reickert worked for Ford Motor Company
for almost 20 years where he was responsible for Ford's total export business
and its small car programs including the Escort, Tempo, Mustang, Probe and
Festiva.
Mr. Reickert holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from
Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
"Mr. Reickert brings to ASHA a broad background in senior automotive
operations management," says Clenet. "Rarely do you find an internationalist
who combines technological expertise and engineering know-how with management
skills that include manufacturing, marketing, and finance."
"The addition of both these outstanding individuals will strengthen our
Board and enable us to accelerate our development and marketing of both
GERODISC traction technology and the ASHA Body Concept (ABC) World Car, on a
broader scale in markets around the world," Clenet says.
GERODISC is a self-contained hydromechanical device that contains a
continuously operating fluid pump, piston, and set of clutches. When used
inside an axle carrier, transaxle, or transfer case, the GERODISC unit will
limit wheel spin by automatically sensing when a wheel begins to slip. The
increased wheel speed increases the pump's output pressure which causes the
clutches to engage and slow the spinning wheel. At the same time the GERODISC
unit smoothly transfers the incoming driveshaft torque to the non-spinning
wheel to regain traction.
The ASHA Body Concept (ABC) is a commercially feasible manufacturing
process for modularly-based vehicles produced in emerging third-world
countries. ASHA is now preparing to launch its first ABC World Car in the
People's Republic of China using local materials, components and labor.
ASHA Corporation, headquartered in Santa Barbara, develops advanced
technology products, and automotive design and manufacturing techniques for
the global automotive industry. The stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market (Symbol: ASHA).
SOURCE ASHA Corporation