A new leader will guide ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Controls Systems Division (CVCS) into the new year.
Jon Morrison, President, CVCS, Americas, will retire at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Julien Plenchette, who currently serves as the Americas Region OEM Truck, Bus, Car & Fleet Business Leader.
As the new Vice President, Americas, CVCS Division, Plenchette will have full P&L responsibility for the division in the region and will oversee all planning, finance, sales, marketing, engineering, product development and manufacturing activities. He will continue to lead the sales organisation in North America including OE Truck, Bus, Specialty, Car and Fleets. He will report to Fredrik Staedtler, Executive Vice President of the Division CVCS.
Plenchette joined the company in his current position in May 2019. As a member of the regional leadership team, he has been instrumental in developing Americas strategy and driving service excellence that has strengthened customer relationships and led to key commercial wins. He brings to this new appointment an expansive background in commercial sales, finance, engineering, manufacturing operations management and executive leadership. He has extensive global experience within the automotive and commercial vehicle industries that makes him superbly qualified to lead the Americas team.
“In the short time that Julien has been with ZF, he has been instrumental winning new business and building relationships with new customers,” said ZF CVCS Executive Vice President, Fredrik Staedtler.
“Equally important has been his emphasis on developing his sales team through training and mentoring.
“Julien will bring that same passion as he continues to pursue new opportunities for the CVCS division and its employees in the Americas,” he said.
Morrison and Plenchette will work together during a transition period from now through December 31, 2020. Their close collaboration will help ensure a smooth handoff and continuity of leadership for employees, customers and stakeholders in the region.
After more than 14 years leading the business in WABCO and ZF, Morrison is passing the torch of leadership for the commercial vehicle control systems business as the Americas region transitions from a period of rapid growth highlighted by several key acquisitions, to a phase in which the business fully deploys its end-to-end capabilities to achieve an even higher level of commercial success and industry leadership.
Of Morrison’s impact on the commercial vehicle industry in North America, Fredrik Staedtler said, “Jon’s vision and leadership made it possible for WABCO and ZF to introduce products to the market that have fundamentally changed commercial vehicles. Key innovations such as the introduction of OnGuard, the industry’s first ‘Always On’ collision mitigation system, changed the way OEMs and fleets approach safety”.
ZF’s CVCS Division in the Americas has a clear roadmap for success going forward with continuity of strong leadership, full capabilities to serve OEMs, fleet and off-highway customers with advanced technology.