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News Release from: ATS Automation Tooling Systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 February 2005
ATS appoints new chief executive officer
The Board of Directors of ATS has appointed Ron Jutras as President and Chief Executive Officer following the tragic passing of its founder Klaus Woerner from cancer.
The Board of Directors of ATS has appointed Ron Jutras as President and Chief Executive Officer following the tragic passing of its founder Klaus Woerner from cancer in early February Jutras joined ATS in 1985 as Chief Financial Officer and was most recently Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 Mar 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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He is also a Director of the Company and member of the executive management committee.
In making the announcement, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board Lawrence G Tapp said: "Ron is an ATS veteran who is well known by shareholders, employees, customers and the Board alike as a skilled and dedicated leader with strong operational and financial knowledge.
In this way, his appointment is both logical and appropriate.
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But more than this, Klaus identified Ron as his natural successor many years ago and the two worked side-by-side for almost 20 years.
I believe that under Ron's guidance, ATS will continue to expand its industry-leading competitive advantages and drive results for our customers and shareholders in the years to come." Said Jutras: "Speaking on behalf of all of us at ATS, it's been both an honour and a privilege working with Klaus.
As a result of Klaus's efforts we have a very strong, committed management team at ATS and all of us are focused on continuing what Klaus so successfully started and skillfully nurtured over these many years.
This is a sad time for all of us at ATS and our thoughts and prayers are with Klaus's family." Jutras added that "ATS and I will continue to benefit from the skilled leadership of our executive committee, which Klaus established in recognition of the growth and increased scope of our business." The executive committee was formalized in 2002 to lead the operational direction of the Company.
It is comprised of Mike Cybulski, Vice President of Automation Systems Operations, Canada and Eastern USA, Jim Sheldon, Vice President of Automation Systems Operations, Western USA, Marilyn Wolfe, Vice President of Human Resources, Uwe Geissinger, Director of Automation Systems Operations Europe, Bruce Seeley, Vice President Precision Components Group and Jutras.
* New CFO Appointed - Jutras has appointed Gerry Beard, CA, as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ATS.
Beard joined ATS in 2001 and most recently served as the Company's Director of Corporate Finance.
He is an honours graduate of the University of Waterloo, obtained his CPA designation in 2001, his Chartered Business Valuator designation in 1999 and his CA designation in 1996.
Prior to joining ATS, Mr Beard was a senior manager at KPMG working with public companies in Canada and the US.
"Gerry has worked very closely with our executive team in establishing our financial and operating plans over the past four years, he knows ATS extremely well and will be a value asset to the Company for many years to come," said Jutras.
"I personally thank Gerry and our entire finance department for playing an increasingly large role after I assumed the responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer last spring." * About ATS - ATS Automation Tooling Systems, industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products.
The Company also makes precision components and subassemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology.
ATS is also an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules.
ATS employs approximately 4,000 people at 26 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.
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