CAMBRIDGE, ON, May 20 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today announced that Ron Jutras, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer has been appointed Chief Operating Officer.The appointment was made to enable the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Woerner to devote time to recover from a serious illness.Mr. Jutras joined the Company 19 years ago as Chief Financial Officer.
He is a member of the Company's five-person Executive Committee and has been a Director of ATS since 1993." Although Klaus intends to remain engaged in the business during his recuperation, Klaus and our Board felt ATS would benefit from the leadership that Ron and our executive committee can provide during this very active growth period in the Company's markets," said Larry Tapp, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. "This appointment will give Klaus the time he needs to devote to treatment and recovery. On behalf of the Board and all of the employees of ATS, we wish Klaus a speedy return to good health." Said Mr.
Woerner: "ATS has had a professional management team and process for many, many years. As a result, this transition will be seamless for our shareholders, customers and employees. I have the utmost confidence in Ron and our Executive Committee and Ron's appointment makes it easier for me to step back temporarily so I can focus on getting better." ATS's Executive Committee includes Mr. Jutras, Mike Cybulski Vice President of Automation Systems Operations, Eastern USA and Canada, Uwe Geissinger, Director of Automation Systems Operations Europe, Bruce Seeley, Vice President Precision Components Group and Marilyn Wolfe, Vice President of Human Resources.
Corporate Description
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. ( www.atsautomation.com ) is the industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also makes precision components and sub-assemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology.
ATS is also an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules. ATS employs approximately 3,800 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA. Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release, including statements regarding growth prospects for the business and the impact of changes in management. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of ATS's products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks detailed from time to time in ATS's periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory authorities.