JBA International Appoints Frank T. Berger To Lead Americas Business
22 February 1999
JBA International Appoints Frank T. Berger To Lead Americas Business
DETROIT--Feb. 22, 1999--JBA International, a leading global supplier of integrated business and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for mid-sized companies in the manufacturing, automotive, apparel and footwear, food, beverage, and electronics industries, has named Frank T. Berger President of JBA Americas.
Appointed by global CEO Ken Briddon, Berger will be responsible for overseeing the strategic development of JBA's offices in the United States, Canada and Latin America, as well as transforming the company to meet the changing ERP market in the 21st century. "Frank's consistent success in driving positive change and growth, coupled with his expertise in developing successful business strategies, enhancing brand recognition and improving business processes will be an asset to JBA's operations in the America's," said Briddon. "He is the right choice to move JBA Americas into a successful model for the new millennium."
Berger has described his mission at JBA as follows: "It is my objective to substantially enhance the awareness and business of JBA so that we are no longer the "invisible giant" as labeled by AMR. JBA is uniquely positioned with its new @ctive Process Series and NT products coupled with its recognized leadership in vertical industries such as Style, Food, Drinks Automotive and Electronics to be one of the top ERP suppliers providing customers with outstanding value. We will be building an Americas organization that will allow us to take advantage of market opportunities that our new products and associated services will bring us." Berger will rely on over thirty years of experience in the Information Technology industry to help him accomplish this mission.
Berger joins JBA from the Baan Company, where he was the General Manager of Baan Automotive. In this capacity, he directed the largest vertical business unit of Baan, substantially growing the division to a global enterprise reporting directly to the Chairman and CEO. Accomplishments at Baan include the largest sale in their history and the creation of a world class solution center. Prior to Baan, he was the North American CIO reporting directly to the CEO for Volkswagen and Audi of America with responsibilities for all facets of Information Technology including systems, telecommunications, consulting and data center operations.
With more than 20 years at Volkswagen, Berger was key to the successful turn-around of North American operations where he spearheaded the design and consolidation of all systems technologies and instituted business process analysis into all areas of the company. This achievement provided the basis for a re-structured company which lead Volkswagen back to profitability. Throughout his career at Volkswagen, he consistently led initiatives that improved operations, drove sales and enhanced distribution channels, including the launch of a new technical infrastructure for the start-up of the manufacturing company, a consolidation of the sales organization, and implementing a revolutionary customer delivery operation.
Berger also brings to JBA strong entrepreneurial experience. He founded and ran V-Crest systems, an organization that provided franchise software, time sharing services and telecommunications services to automotive dealerships and auto manufacturers such as Porsche Cars North America and Mercedes Benz. At V-Crest, he grew the business to consistent profitability, which eventually led to subsidiaries in Canada, Latin America and Europe. Prior to Volkswagen, Berger was also employed by National Bank of Detroit and General Motors.
JBA is a leading supplier of enterprise management software to companies in the Automotive, Apparel & Footwear, Food & Beverage, Electronics and Metals fabrication industries. JBA System 21 software combines manufacturing, customer service, logistics and financial applications into one, highly configurable, business solution providing essential support to the competitive mid-market sector.
JBA's breakthrough @ctive Enterprise Series allows companies to drive their businesses harder and faster with advanced Supply Chain Demand and real e-commerce capability. With over 17 years of consistent profitable growth, JBA's flexible industry solutions exactly meet the needs of over 4,000 companies around the world. For more information on JBA International, call 800 JBA-INTL, or visit www.jbaworld.com.