Jason Industries, Inc. named former Actuant executive Brian K. Kobylinski its president and chief operating officer on Friday.
Kobylinski will start in his new role at the Milwaukee-based company on April 25. He previously was Actuant’s executive vice president for energy and China and was with the Menomonee Falls-based company for 23 years. He resigned from his position with Actuant on April 1, the company said in an Securities and Exchange Commission filing Thursday.
Kobylinski, whose age was listed as 49 in Actuant’s most recent annual report, will report to Jason Industries chairman and chief executive officer Jeffry Quinn.
“His record of organizational development, growth and operational excellence in a general industrial, mid-market public company, aligns well with our vision for Jason,” Quinn said.
Kobylinski replaces A. Craig Ivey, who had served in the president and COO roles on an interim basis. Ivey will remain as a member of Jason’s executive team and will serve as senior vice president for global manufacturing and supply chain.
“I believe with Koby’s leadership and Craig’s continued focus on our manufacturing performance, we have enhanced the strength of our management team and have accelerated the path for value creation,” Quinn said.
Jason is the parent company for a number of manufacturers in the seating, finishing, components and automotive acoustics markets. Subsidiaries include Dronco, Janesville Acoustics, Metalex, Milsco, Osborn and Sealeze.
The company has been through a number of leadership and organizational changes in recent months, starting with the departure of former CEO Dave Westgate in November. Quinn, whose Quinpario Acquisition Corp. had acquired the company in June 2014, stepped in as CEO on an interim basis before taking on the role in December.
Jason announced a reorganization in January aimed at streamlining operations, improving customer experiences and creating value for shareholders. Ivey joined the company at that time to focus on all commercial, manufacturing, technology and strategic aspects of the business.
