Fras-le has appointed Rodrigo Meirelles as vice president and general manager for its North American and European operations. Meirelles will oversee the growth of Fras-le's business in both markets, effective immediately.

Meirelles' position at Fras-le is new - he will serve as the company's first vice president and general manager, and will report directly to CEO and director of investor relations, Daniel Randon.

Meirelles will oversee the production launch of heavy-duty brake linings at Fras-le's manufacturing facility in Prattville, Ala., later this year. It will be the first time in Fras-le's history that it produces heavy-duty brake lining in the U.S. Meirelles is based in Michigan, near Fras-le's North American headquarters, and he will divide his time between Fras-le's operations in the U.S., Germany and Brazil.

He brings 17 years of diversified global management experience in the commercial vehicle industry to his new role. He last served as commercial director of commercial vehicles for the Eaton Corp. in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He also has extensive international experience in the vehicle industry in North America, South America, Europe, Japan, China, India, South Africa and Australia. Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, Meirelles has a multitude of experience dealing with customers and suppliers worldwide.