Jahnke Named President of Elco Textron
21 January 1999
Jahnke Named President of Elco Textron
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Jan. 21, 1999--Textron Inc. today announced that effective January 18, 1999, William R. Jahnke has become President of its Rockford, Illinois-based subsidiary, Elco Textron Inc. He replaces John Lutz, who has retired. As part of Textron Fastening Systems, Elco is a manufacturer of engineered metal and plastic components and assemblies for the automotive, metal fabrication and computer industries.
Since 1995, Jahnke, 60, has been serving as president of Speidel, a former Textron company which was acquired by Hermann Hirsch USA, Inc. at the end of 1997.
"Bill's broad manufacturing experience in diverse industries, combined with his strong leadership skills, will benefit Elco as it continues to strengthen its global position and expand into new markets," said Textron Fastening Systems President Randy Smith.
Jahnke served as executive vice president of Textron's former Bridgeport Machine division from 1980 to 1986 and director of special projects for Bell Helicopter Textron until 1988. From 1988 to 1991, he was vice president and general manager of Producto Machine Company, based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1991, he rejoined Textron as vice president of operations for Textron's Filtration Systems division, which Textron later sold. In 1994, he was named vice president of manufacturing for Textron's former Fuel Systems Textron division. From 1995 to 1998, Jahnke was president of Speidel, a leading designer and manufacturer of metal, leather and plastic watchbands and attachments.
Jahnke graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Macomb College and attended Textron's Advanced Management and Executive Development Programs at Harvard University.
Elco Textron is a leading manufacturer of metal stamped, plastic and fine-blanked parts and synergistic assemblies. It has over 1,750 employees at its eight facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky.
With approximately $2 billion in annualized revenues, Textron Fastening Systems is the global leader in engineered fastening solutions, assemblies and fastener inventory management, serving the automotive, aerospace, appliance, electronics, construction and do-it-yourself industries. With 68 locations in 17 countries, Textron Fastening Systems is part of Textron's Industrial Segment.
Textron Inc. is a $10 billion, global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance.