Fontaine names product development boss

Fontaine Connection Group, the parent company of Fontaine Fifth Wheel, Fontaine Parts Connection, Fontaine Coupling Solutions and Fontaine Fifth Wheel Europe, has named Manikkam “Madhu” Madheswaran director of advanced product development.

Madheswaran will oversee product development for all four Fontaine Connection Group business units and will manage the Fontaine Research and Development Center in Trussville, Alabama.

Madheswaran has more than 25 years of collective experience in the heavy commercial vehicle industry. Prior to joining the Fontaine team, he was Navistar’s heavy truck platform chief engineer. He also previously served as director of current products engineering at first-responder vehicle manufacturer E-ONE, engineering manager at vacuum truck maker Guzzler Manufacturing and product engineer at Ashok Leyland, one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in India.

“Madhu has extensive experience in the commercial vehicle industry, so he knows what our customers need,” says Ken Kelley, president of Fontaine Connection Group. “I am excited to have him on board as we continue to develop products that will help fleets improve lifecycle costs and boost productivity.”

Madheswaran earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in automobile engineering and applied science from Anna University in Chennai, India. He will be based at Fontaine Connection Group’s headquarters in Trussville, Alabama.