Centralized M&A Staff Helps Delphi Move Faster to Gain Market Presence, Diversify Customer Base and Add New Technology
23 August 2000
Centralized M&A Staff Helps Delphi Move Faster to Gain Market Presence, Diversify Customer Base and Add New Technology
TROY, Mich., Aug. 23 Delphi Automotive Systems
said today it will restructure its Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) staff moving
from a decentralized structure to a more efficient and focused centralized
unit. John P. Arle, vice president of M&A for Delphi, made the announcement.
"Speed and focus are the two key drivers of establishing partnerships and
completing acquisitions that will help us win in the marketplace," said John
Arle, Delphi's vice president of Mergers, Acquisitions and Planning. "This
new structure will bring together a core centralized team that can increase
our effectiveness in completing transactions, thereby giving us increased
access to markets, customers and new technologies."
The new M&A staff, led by Arle, will be located at Delphi's World
Headquarters in Troy, Mich. Some support staff will remain at each division
in order to maintain alignment with divisional strategic direction, assist in
developing initial acquisition proposals and support post-acquisition
integration.
The Delphi M&A team expects significant savings as a result of the
reorganization. Headcount dedicated to M&A activity will be reduced by
36 percent, outside fees are expected to decrease by 25 percent, and lead-time
will be cut as well. Additionally, as Delphi improves its focus and
capability, savings should be realized in the various functional areas that
support the M&A activity.
The following appointments are announced with the reorganization and are
effective September 1, 2000:
Fred J. Bellar is named executive director, M&A operations, reporting to
Arle. He will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of acquisitions,
joint venture partnerships and divestitures. Previously Bellar was director
of ventures, business development and planning. He brings more than 23 years
of finance, planning and manufacturing experience to the staff. In 1975
Bellar earned a bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University and in
1977 he received a master's in business administration from Ohio State
University.
Larry Kesler is named to senior director of M&A reporting to both Arle and
Bellar. In this position Kesler will lead deal teams in negotiations for
acquisitions and joint ventures. Since April 1998, Kesler had been general
director of ventures and acquisitions for Delphi Interior Systems. He began
his career at General Motors Corp. and has held numerous positions in
marketing, operations, communications, planning and finance. He completed a
bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Utah in 1969 and earned a
master's degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania
in 1971.
David Knill is named to director of M&A and portfolio analysis reporting
to Arle. Knill will lead the financial analysis on the transactions and
oversee Delphi's product portfolio and VDSR processes. Most recently, Knill
had been manager, Ventures and Planning. Knill began his career in 1984 as a
GMI student sponsored by GM's Powertrain division. Following a GM fellowship,
he joined GM's New York Treasurer's Office where he rotated through various
assignments prior to joining Delphi in 1998 as manager, Corporate Finance in
the Treasurer's Office. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering from GMI in 1989 and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario
in 1997.
Neal Sweeney is named director of M&A and divestitures reporting to
Bellar. He will focus primarily on divesting Delphi's non-core or marginally
profitable businesses. Sweeney had been finance director for Delphi
Aftermarket Operations since December 1998. Joining GM Service Parts
Operations in 1978, he has gained more than 20 years of experience in venture
development, business planning and finance. His experience includes a
critical role in the divestiture of Delphi's lighting business in 1998. He
holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Grand Valley State University and a
master's degree in business management from Central Michigan University.
Lawrence Diaz and Christopher Erickson are named directors of M&A,
reporting to Bellar. Diaz and Erickson will lead deal teams in negotiations
for acquisitions and joint ventures. Diaz had been director of new business
development at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems. Diaz joined Delphi from GM's
New York Treasurer's Office where he had held a variety of treasury positions,
including treasurer of GM's Spanish Operations. Diaz earned his bachelor's
degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from Cornell University in 1982. In 1984 he received
a master's degree in business administration from Harvard. Erickson had been
director of venture development for Delphi Aftermarket Operations. He started
his career as an administrator at The Bank of New York and brings more than 10
years of finance and planning experience to the M&A function. Erickson
received a bachelor's degree in 1987 from Boston College and a master's degree
in business administration in 1991 from the University of Michigan. He has
been a Certified Management Accountant since 1995.
James M. Enzor is named director of M&A and deal support from director of
business development, reporting to Bellar. In his new position, Enzor will
lead deal teams on acquisitions and joint ventures and also manage the team
that will provide transaction support for all of the M&A directors. Enzor
began his career in 1985 as an accountant at General Motors. After holding a
number of financial staff positions there including a new business development
assignment in Asia, Enzor joined Delphi in January 1999. He earned a
bachelor's degree in accounting and economics and a master's degree in
business administration from the University of Michigan in 1985 and 1991,
respectively.
"With this new structure comes quicker, common processes, more experienced
negotiating teams and the ability to ensure the quality of due diligence and
seamless execution of any deal," Arle continued.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 39
countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .