MADISON, Ind. – Grote Industries has announced the appointment of Dominic Grote as president and chief operating officer. Grote, who will have global responsibility for managing the company’s business, was named president of the family-owned, family-managed vehicle safety system manufacturer, following a move by Grote Industries’ past president, Eric Morris. Morris announced July 15 that he would be stepping down as president, in preparation for a new position as Grote’s director of accessory markets. 
“Eric has been an exemplary leader since he took his post in 2004,” Grote said. “He has worked tirelessly to grow our business both domestically and internationally. On behalf of all Grote’s employees, we thank him and wish him our best as he takes the reigns of this important new responsibility.”
Grote most recently served as the organization’s vice president of sales and marketing, reshaping the company’s business through the development and introduction of advanced, high-performance LED lighting technologies for the commercial and military vehicle markets. Since starting his career with the firm in 1993, he has held various management positions in sales, marketing and product development.
Grote wasted no time in laying out key points from his new agenda, stating that the economy and market conditions dictate that he hit the ground running. His punch list includes global expansion, the introduction of exciting new LED technologies and a strengthening of Grote’s relationships with its customers.
“Just like many of the distributors, fleets and OEM’s Grote Industries serves, we’re a family-owned business," Grote said. “Grote’s customers value our tradition of service to the industry and our fierce entrepreneurial spirit.”
Grote pointed out that while his approach will be unique, it will also follow more than a century of tradition that has built the Grote brand into an industry leader. “It’s no secret that our organization was founded on principles of solid personal relationships, continuous innovation and exceptional product performance,” said Grote. “So from that perspective, nothing will change.
“Continuity and intelligent succession planning have been keys to our long-term success as a closely-held business,” said Grote Industries’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William (Bill) Grote III. “These continue to be challenging times, but with Dominic’s acumen, leadership and vigor, I remain more confident than ever in the company’s continued success.”
Throughout his career, Dominic Grote has been actively involved in industry groups and trade associations. He is the immediate past president of the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI) and has served as a director of TSEI since 2004. In 2008 he served as chairman of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA). Grote is also an active member of the American Trucking Association’sTechnology Maintenance Council (TMC). He currently serves on the board of the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN).
Grote holds a BA from Southern Methodist University, an MBA from George Washington University and he is a graduate of Wharton’s advanced management program. Grote represents the fourth generation of his family working in the business headquartered in Madison, Ind.
