NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Fras-le North America Inc. has named Rafael Di Buono as its new product manager and also announced the promotion of Leandro Girardi to the position of managing director, Fras-le Europe GmbH. Previously, Girardi had been the marketing and sales manager for Fras-le North America from 2007 through early 2011. 
Di Buono brings more than 15 years of experience in the automotive industry to his role with Fras-le, including nearly a decade of experience as an automotive mechanic in his native country of Argentina. Di Buono will manage the company’s disc brake pad portfolio for the North American light and commercial vehicle aftermarket. In addition, he will maintain the company’s respective technical literature, as well as the rigorous legal and functional requirements that the North American aftermarket demands for such products.
Di Buono’s professional career began in 1996 at Fras-le Argentina S.A., where he worked in the areas of quality, products and brand development, technical assistance and sales. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of the Merchant Navy in Argentina.
"Rafael is a talented professional who will help us keep an eye on the market as we develop new products for our customer base," said Fras-le’s director of operations, Zomar Oliveira. "In addition, he will help ensure that we maintain our high-quality standards and outstanding customer support."
In his new role, Girardi is based in Germany and is responsible for boosting Fras-le’s operations in Europe. Girardi began working for Fras-le in 2002 as a marketing analyst. In 2005, he transferred to Fras-le Argentina, where he worked as a marketing coordinator helping develop campaigns and promotions to increase market share and sales. In 2006, Girardi moved to Chile, where he coordinated Fras-le’s Chilean unit for one year before moving to the U.S. to work at Fras-le North America.
"Leandro was an integral part of Fras-le’s introduction of new products to the North American aftermarket and the company’s debut at AAPEX and other aftermarket events and trade shows," said Oliveira. "We wish him the best in his new European responsibilities."
Girardi holds an undergraduate degree in business administration with an international business focus from the Universidade de Caxias do Sul in Brazil and an MBA from the University of Detroit (Mich.) Mercy.
