Polar Corp. appointed Jim Painter president of Polar Tank Trailer.

Painter will be responsible for overall performance of the division, including three manufacturing plants, the dealer network, and several strategic initiatives related to the dramatic growth of the tank trailer industry. He will be based at Polar Tank Trailer's headquarters in Opole, Minn., and report to Ted Fick, Polar Corp. president and CEO.

Until now, Painter served as president of Quality Trailer Products, a Polar company, since 2000.

Before joining Quality Trailer Products, Painter was an officer and vice president at Simpson Industries. He also held positions of increasing management and executive responsibilities at Rockwell International, including president of the Rockwell Clutch Co. and general manager of the Specialty Axle Division.

Painter earned an master's in business administration from Xavier University and a bachelor's degree from General Motors Institute.

"Jim is an accomplished senior executive whose leadership within Polar over the last 11 years has been outstanding," says Fick. "As president of Polar Tank Trailer, his immediate focus will be on advancing our fastest-growing business unit."