Eaton Realigns Senior Operating Responsibilities
14 September 1998
Eaton Realigns Senior Operating Responsibilities in Supplier Resource Mgt., Automotive and Hydraulics Operations
CLEVELAND--Sept. 14, 1998--Eaton Corporation announced today that it has realigned its operations in order to place all of its automotive-related production under one senior officer and also created a new, high-level executive position to strengthen its global supplier management program.Alexander M. Cutler, president and chief operating officer, said Eaton will now have four operating groups instead of five. They are:
-- Automotive
-- Cutler-Hammer
-- Hydraulics, Semiconductor Equipment and Specialty Systems, and
Truck Components
The new Automotive Group includes all of the former Automotive Components Group and all of the former Controls & Hydraulics Group, except Hydraulics Operations and Eaton VORAD Technologies. Product lines for the new group include engine valves, lifters, superchargers, viscous fan drives, locking differentials, engineered fasteners, actuators and sensors, mirror actuators and a wide array of convenience switches and controls.
Cutler said the changes were made to provide closer coordination of Eaton businesses that serve the global passenger car and light truck markets and to place stronger emphasis on the management of its suppliers around the world.
Cutler said, "As Eaton rapidly evolves from a component supplier to a company providing assemblies, sub-systems and systems, we need to involve our suppliers in a comprehensive way in quickly and efficiently meeting our customers' global requirements. In recent years we have increasingly integrated the resources and capabilities of our suppliers into the Eaton value chain. Today's action will extend the global reach of this program, and make it more integral to our business and more effective for our customers.
"Moreover, the global nature of our automotive businesses dictates that we be ever more responsive to our customers' needs," he said. "Consolidating our automotive operations into one group will strengthen our ability to provide greater service."
Cutler said the following changes are effective immediately:
Robert J. McCloskey, who has been senior vice president and group executive-Controls & Hydraulics since 1995, is now senior vice president and group executive-Automotive, with responsibility for all of Eaton's automotive businesses. McCloskey, who holds degrees in electrical engineering and law, joined Eaton in 1965 in the Patent Law Department and was named general patent counsel in 1978. He moved into operations in 1981 and held a succession of increasingly significant management positions in the Transmission, Axle & Brake and Electric Drives Divisions before being named manager of the Airflex Division in 1984. In 1989, he was appointed general manager of General Products Operations and promoted to vice president-General Products and Hydraulics in 1991.
Larry M. Oman, who has been senior vice president and group executive-Automotive Components since 1995, is now vice president-Supplier Resource Management, a new position with responsibility for Eaton's Worldwide Supplier Resource Program. Oman joined Eaton in 1968 and worked for several of the company's automotive component businesses before moving to World Headquarters in 1977 as director-materials and production control. In 1982 he became operations manager for the Fluid Power Division and then was promoted to the company's Engine Components Operations where he served in several positions before being named vice president-Engine Components Operations in 1989.
Brian R. Bachman, formerly senior vice president and group executive-Semiconductor & Specialty Systems, assumes responsibility for Eaton's Hydraulic Operations and is now senior vice president and group executive-Hydraulics, Semiconductor Equipment and Specialty Systems. Bachman joined Eaton in 1996 and previously held management positions with Philips Semiconductor, FMC Corporation, General Electric and TRW.
Eaton's other two operating groups are largely unaffected by this reorganization. Thomas W. O'Boyle, senior vice president and group executive-Truck Components, adds to his current responsibilities Eaton VORAD Technologies, an operating subsidiary that produces radar-based collision warning systems and intelligent cruise control systems for the heavy truck market. David M. Wathen, senior vice president and group executive-Cutler-Hammer, retains his current responsibilities.
Eaton Corporation is a global manufacturer of highly engineered products that serve industrial, vehicle, construction, commercial and semiconductor markets. Principal products include electrical power distribution and control equipment, truck drivetrain systems, engine components, hydraulic products, ion implanters and a wide variety of controls. Headquartered in Cleveland, the company has 49,000 employees and 150 manufacturing sites in 25 countries around the world. Sales for 1997 were $7.6 billion. The Internet address for Eaton is: http://www.eaton.com/