Accuride Corporation has revised its organization and upgraded its leadership team to support its planned expansion as a supplier of high-quality wheel end solutions to the global commercial vehicle industry.
The changes come just weeks after the company acquired a majority stake in Italian steel-wheel manufacturer Gianetti Ruote S.r.l., in partnership with CLN S.p.A., the first step in the company’s strategic expansion as a global wheel end solutions supplier.
The company’s management changes are as follows: Scott D. Hazlett has been promoted to president, Global Wheels business unit; Gregory A. Risch has been promoted to president, Gunite business unit; Michael A. Hajost has been hired as chief financial officer.
“Promoting Scott and Greg to lead our global Wheels and Gunite businesses, respectively, and adding Mike Hajost to the Accuride Leadership Team as CFO advances our vision to become the premier supplier of wheel end solutions to the global commercial vehicle industry,” says Rick Dauch, Accuride president.
“Under Scott and Greg’s leadership, we have transformed Accuride’s operational and financial performance, laying the foundation for our pursuit of strategic global growth that began with our recently announced acquisition of a majority stake in Gianetti Ruote S.r.l. of Italy. We are pleased to add Mike’s proven global finance and treasury experience to support our pursuit of long-term profitability and global expansion.”
Accuride says Hazlett will be responsible for integrating the Gianetti Ruote joint venture and leading the global growth of Accuride’s Wheels business. Hazlett previously had served as senior vice president of operations, leading the operational restructuring and upgrade of the Gunite business, and the expansion of capacity and capability of Accuride’s steel and aluminum wheel business in North America.
Risch will lead the restructured and resurgent Gunite business following capital investments and adoption of LEAN manufacturing systems that upgraded plant production and processes, led to industry-leading operating performance and returned the business to profitability, Accuride says. Risch has served as the Company’s CFO since October 2011. During his 21-year Accuride career, Risch’s other leadership roles have included vice president and chief accounting officer, and director of financial planning and reporting.
Hajost will join Accuride on Nov. 30, 2015, the company says. A highly capable finance executive with more than 20 years of experience in both public and private-equity environments, Hajost comes to Accuride having recently completed a seven-year tenure leading the Treasury and Investor Relations functions for Carpenter Technology Corp., a $2.3 billion revenue international alloys and engineered products manufacturer in Reading, Pa.
