Eaton Names Three Vice Chairmen; Reorganizes Businesses into Electrical and Industrial Sectors

CLEVELAND — Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. is reorganizing its businesses into two sectors – Electrical and Industrial – with a vice chairman and chief operating officer for each sector. The changes are effective Feb. 1.

Eaton Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alexander Cutler said that Thomas Gross, 54, has been named vice chairman and chief operating officer – Electrical Sector. Gross will succeed Randy Carson, 58, chief executive officer – Electrical Group, who has announced his decision to retire at the end of April.

Craig Arnold, 48, has been named vice chairman and chief operating officer – Industrial Sector, which is being formed by combining Eaton’s Aerospace, Automotive, Hydraulics and Truck businesses.

Additionally, Cutler announced that Richard Fearon, 52, has been named vice chairman and chief financial and planning officer for Eaton. Fearon had been executive vice president – chief financial and planning officer.

“As the company grows, we need to develop our organizational structure to help accelerate growth, identify synergies, drive common practices and build broad, global capability,” Cutler said. “We are fortunate to have global leaders like Tom Gross, Craig Arnold and Rick Fearon who are committed to working together to achieve our future goals.

“Much of the growth in our Electrical business, which propels our move in this direction, is due to the contributions of Randy Carson,” Cutler added. “Over the past nine years, Randy has taken our Electrical business from a North American business of $2.2 billion to a major global enterprise of $7 billion. He led significant improvements in performance and attracted key talent to Eaton. He was also instrumental in creating a growth culture within the business. Eaton will also benefit from his close relationships with key customers well into the future. We all wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Carson will continue to report to Cutler and assist with the transition until his retirement.

Cutler also announced that beginning in 2009, Eaton will report financial results externally for six segments. They are: Electrical Americas, Electrical Rest of the World, Hydraulics, Aerospace, Truck and Automotive.

Following the reorganization, Cutler’s direct reports will be: Arnold, Fearon and Gross, as well as Susan Cook, executive vice president – chief human resources officer; Richard Holder, executive vice president – Eaton Business System; and Mark McGuire, executive vice president and general counsel.

Reporting to Arnold in the Industrial Sector will be: Joseph Palchak, president – Automotive Group; James Sweetnam, president – Truck Group; William VanArsdale, president – Hydraulics Group, and Bradley Morton, president – Aerospace Group.

The Electrical sector will be organized by geographic region. Reporting to Gross will be: Jerry Whitaker, president – Electrical Americas Region; Frank Campbell, president – Electrical Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, and J. Kevin McLean, president – Electrical Asia Pacific Region.

Akebono Brake Corporation expanded its Severe Duty Ultra-Premium Disc Brake Pad line by 14 new part numbers for Chrysler, Ford, GMC and Nissan vehicles, increasing coverage by over 11 million vehicles.

Premium stainless steel abutment hardware is included in the kits that require it, the company said.

“We are pleased to announce the release of these 14 new severe duty part numbers expanding coverage for over 11 million VIO adding late-model coverage for Chrysler. Ford, GMC and Nissan. This expansion reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable solutions to our customers. We're eager to see these parts make a significant impact in the field, enhancing performance and durability and reducing downtime where it's most needed. All of these parts are in-stock and ready for shipment,” said Kirby Pruitt, product development manager.