Licavoli Named Chairman, President, and CEO of Textron Automotive Company
14 April 1999
Licavoli Named Chairman, President, and CEO of Textron Automotive Company
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--April 14, 1999--Textron Inc. today announced that Sam Licavoli has been named chairman, president and chief executive officer of Textron Automotive Company, based in Troy, MI, effective immediately. He will report to Textron President and Chief Operating Officer John A. Janitz. As head of Textron Automotive, Licavoli also becomes a member of Textron's Executive Leadership Team."Sam's extensive knowledge of the global automotive industry combined with his strategic focus on operations will be a great asset to Textron's Executive Leadership Team and Textron's future," said Textron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lewis B. Campbell.
Licavoli, 57, joined Textron Automotive Company as president of its Trim division in 1996. Under his leadership, the trim operations, which include exterior and interior trim products, instrument panels, full cockpit module assemblies and signal lighting have expanded to over $1.5 billion in annual revenues with manufacturing locations in North America, South America and Europe. His promotion to chairman, president and chief executive officer of Textron Automotive Company's worldwide operations follow Janitz's appointment to president and chief operating officer of Textron Inc. on March 12. Licavoli will continue to serve as president of the Trim division until a successor is named.
"Sam's leadership and vision have developed Textron Automotive's trim operations into a world class business that is well-positioned for a strong future," said Textron President and Chief Operating Officer John A. Janitz. "Sam's dedication to operating excellence and focus on growth will continue to lead the worldwide expansion of Textron Automotive Company's product lines, from trim to plastic fuel tanks," he added.
Prior to joining Textron, Licavoli served as senior vice-president - International of A.O. Smith Corporation, a diversified global manufacturing company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He joined A.O. Smith in 1992 as president of their Automotive Products Division. From 1984 to 1992, Licavoli was senior vice president of Tenneco Corporation's Walker Manufacturing Division, where he was responsible for the manufacturing operations of their OEM and aftermarket business. Licavoli has also held various management positions with International Harvester Company and at the Ford Motor Company.
Licavoli received his bachelor of science and master's degrees in mathematics from Central Michigan University. He is a board member of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association and a member of the Automotive Parts Advisory Committee, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers, the Original Equipment Suppliers Association and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
With $2.4 billion in annual revenues and manufacturing locations in thirteen countries, Textron Automotive Company is a leading, global supplier of instrument panels, cockpit modules, exterior and interior trim, plastic fuel tanks and automotive systems and components. Globally recognized for its breakthrough proprietary technologies and quality, Textron Automotive Company has received more than fifty awards for excellence from OEMs in North America, Europe and Asia.
Textron Inc. is a $10 billion, global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance.