PLYMOUTH, Mich. – AVL announced today that Thomas VanderLaan will be joining AVL Powertain Engineering Inc. (PEI) as vice president of sales on July 16.
Founded in 1948, AVL is one of the world’s largest independent companies focused on the development, simulation and testing technology of powertrains (hybrid, combustion engines, transmission, electric drive, batteries and software) for passenger cars, trucks and large engines.
VanderLaan spent the past six years with Remy International, where he was most recently vice president – global automotive and hybrid sales. While at Remy, he delivered significant sales results in new starter and alternator business, created a substantial hybrid business development pipeline and secured millions of additional dollars in future awards with a strategy for standard electric motors targeted at commercial and specialty vehicle markets.
"Tom is an aggressive catalyst of positive change," said Dimitri Kazarinoff, president of PEI. "He knows how to connect the dots for business growth, while at the same time simultaneously doing what it takes to satisfy customers."
In his new role at AVL, VanderLaan will focus on helping the company in its ongoing drive to transformational business growth across all sectors, including electric and hybrid applications.
"Tom has outstanding credentials and a proven track record in our industry," said Don Manvel, AVL Americas chairman and CEO. "We believe he is an exceptional choice to leverage the strides Dimitri Kazarinoff has made in the last year, and further evidence of our commitment to make the moves necessary to enable AVL to thrive in the future."
