Perry Bahr Named To Lead Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems


CANTON, Ohio - Perry Bahr assumed duties as vice president and general manager of Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems succeeding Gary Gerstenslager, the newly appointed president and chief operating officer of Hendrickson.

Bahr elevated Roger Hatten to his former position of director of operations for the trailer division and named Dave Armold as Hatten's successor as plant manager of the Lebanon, Ind., facility.

As director of operations, Bahr implemented major improvements at all of the trailer division manufacturing facilities.

"It is important to ensure that Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems has strong leadership to keep us successful as we continue to grow," Gerstenslager said in announcing the Bahr's appointment.

A 22-year veteran of Hendrickson, Bahr has held a broad range of manufacturing engineering and operations positions for Hendrickson Bumper and Trim and Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems in addition to the trailer division.

He became plant manager of the trailer division Lebanon, Ind., facility in 1999 prior to assuming the role of director of operations in 2002.

Bahr earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from Western Illinois University at Macomb, Ill., in 1992.

In announcing the promotions of Hatten and Armold, Bahr said, "These moves are satisfying because they demonstrate our commitment to internal promotions and our ability to develop strong leaders within our organization."

Hatten joined the company as production manager at the Mitchell, S.D., plant in 1998 and in 2000 became plant manager. In 2004, he was named plant manager of the Lebanon facility.

He came to Hendrickson from the Bundy Corporation, a tier one supplier to Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, where he served as production manager.

A seven-year veteran of Hendrickson, Armold was elevated from the role of production manager at Lebanon, a post he held since joining the company.

Previously, Armold held various production positions at Black & Decker, Landis+Gyr, and Emerson Electric. He holds a bachelors degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Hendrickson, a Boler company, is one of the largest global suppliers of truck and tractor suspensions, trailer suspensions, truck and trailer lift axles, bumpers and trim components and springs to the commercial transportation industry. Hendrickson, based in Itasca, Ill., continues to meet the needs of the transportation industry after more than 90 years. Visit the Hendrickson Web site at www.hendrickson-intl.com.

For more information contact:
Ralph E. Norton
Hendrickson
(330) 489-0473

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