Jack Sights Named Chairman, President and CEO of Textron Fastening Systems

22 November 1999

Jack Sights Named Chairman, President and CEO of Textron Fastening Systems

    PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Nov. 22, 1999--Textron Inc. today announced that Jack W. Sights has been named Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company's $2.2 billion Textron Fastening Systems group, effective immediately. He also becomes a member of Textron's Executive Leadership Team, a thirteen member body of the company's senior corporate and operations executives responsible for Textron's overall strategic management. Sights will report to Textron President and Chief Operating Officer John A. Janitz. He replaces Randy P. Smith who will be leaving Textron for personal reasons.
    Sights, 52, will be responsible for the general management of Textron Fastening Systems worldwide. Since 1994, the group has grown from approximately $400 million to $2.2 billion in annual sales through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. With over 100 locations in 19 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, Textron Fastening Systems serves the aerospace, automotive, computer, consumer, construction, industrial, medical, telecommunications and inventory management industries.
    "Over the past five years, Textron Fastening Systems has grown at a strong double-digit pace, extending its geographic reach into global markets and expanding its technologies and services for our customers. Randy has greatly contributed to the continued development of this group's position as the global leader in fastening solutions," said Textron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lewis B. Campbell.
    Since 1992, Sights has served as President of Guardian Industries Corp.'s Automotive Products Group, a leader in the production and design of automotive glass and plastic and metal exterior components. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the company's sales, marketing and manufacturing activities in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
    "Jack's broad experience and understanding of international markets will be a tremendous asset as he leads Textron Fastening Systems into the next millennium. Under Jack's management, Textron Fastening Systems will continue to provide value-added products and services that anticipate and exceed customers' expectations," Janitz added.
    Prior to joining Guardian in 1988, Sights served as Vice President and General Manager of Automotive Operations at Schlegel Corporation, where he was responsible for the general management of the business and the expansion of its operations into new markets.
    Sights is a member of the Auto Parts Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Engineering Society of Detroit, the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Economic Club of Detroit.

    Textron Inc. is an $11.5 billion, global, multi-industry company with market-leading businesses in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance. Textron has a workforce of over 65,000 employees and major manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. Textron is among Fortune magazine's "Global Most Admired Companies." Additional information is available at www.textron.com.