LANSDALE, Pa. – AB SKF has appointed Poul Jeppesen as president and CEO of SKF USA Inc., effective immediately. Jeppesen replaces George Dettloff, who recently retired after 10 years of service with the company.

As the President and CEO of SKF USA Inc., Jeppesen will be responsible for the common corporate operations in the U.S. During his 28-year career with SKF, Jeppesen has held several management positions in areas of sales, marketing, product management and manufacturing. Most recently, Jeppesen served as president/director of SKF Actuation System, a global business unit with seven manufacturing operations in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Taipei, China and the U.S.

Dettloff will continue to represent SKF senior management at various governmental and industry associations for the near future.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Poul Jeppesen in his new role as president and CEO of SKF USA Inc. Poul comes into this position with an in depth SKF knowledge and well-rounded experience,” said Tom Johnstone, president and CEO, AB SKF. "I am convinced that Poul will build on the great job George Dettloff and the U.S. team have done developing our U.S. business and thank George for his drive and commitment to SKF in all of the roles he served. We all wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Dettloff retires from SKF after 10 years with the company. He joined SKF in 2000 as president of its seals business, and was promoted to president and CEO of SKF USA Inc. in 2006. Under his leadership, he led a team in developing operational excellence by reducing inventories, strengthening supply chain management and emphasizing a team management philosophy, all anchored by lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies. His celebrated career also included many years in the automotive industry having positions with General Motors, Rockwell, Eaton and Textron.