Freightliner LLC last week unveiled a new management structure as part of its turnaround efforts.

Key changes to Freightliner's management include:

• A streamlined Executive Committee focused on business and product development, customer service, operational excellence and cost control;

• Consolidation of order administration, manufacturing, purchasing, logistics and information technology under a single operations group;

• The centralization of functions such as financial controlling, dealer operations and employee services for maximum operating efficiencies;

• Strengthening of management resources in the company's used truck operations; and

• The re-alignment of Orion Bus and Thomas Dennis Corporation under DaimlerChrysler's commercial bus division, Evobus. Thomas Built Buses, the High Point, N.C.-based school bus manufacturer, will remain part of the Freightliner family of companies.

"Our new organization is designed to achieve the materials cost savings, production savings, overhead reductions and business model improvements set forth in our turnaround plan, and to return Freightliner to profitability and sustained financial performance," said Rainer Schmueckle, President and CEO.
As part of the management restructuring, Freightliner is announcing numerous personnel appointments. The appointments include two new Executive Committee members, other key managers and new plant management at several of the company's manufacturing facilities in North America.
Juergen Kritschgau has been named Senior Vice President, Finance & Controlling for Freightliner LLC, effective Feb. 1. Kritschgau will serve as Freightliner's Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the president, and will be a member of the company's Executive Committee. Kritschgau began his career with Daimler-Benz in 1986 and has most recently served as vice president of finance and controlling for MB USA.
Chris Patterson has been appointed Senior Vice President, Parts & Service, Freightliner LLC, effective Jan. 7. Patterson will be responsible for all parts sales, customer support and aftermarket programs for Freightliner LLC business units. He will be a member of Freightliner's Executive Committee and report directly to Schmueckle. Patterson has 23 years trucking industry experience and spent five years with Freightliner in the 1990s, serving as president of Freightliner of Canada and Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Freightliner Trucks. Patterson succeeds John Pangborn, who is retiring after 23 years of service to Freightliner.
Bob Cariglia has been named Vice President of Sales, for Freightliner Trucks. In this position, Cariglia is responsible for overseeing Freightliner's U.S. and Canada heavy- and medium-duty truck sales initiatives. He reports to Mark Lampert, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Freightliner Trucks. Cariglia most recently was General Manager, Marketing, for Freightliner Trucks.
Carsten Reinhardt has been named Manager of the Portland Truck and Parts Manufacturing Plants, effective June 2002. Reinhardt is currently serving as General Manager, Manufacturing Operations, for Western Star Trucks in Kelowna and will manage the transition of Western Star manufacturing operations to Portland, Ore.
Mark Moseley has been named Manager of the Mt. Holly (N.C.) Truck Manufacturing Plant, effective Jan. 1. Moseley most recently has served as Manager of Freightliner's Portland Truck and Parts Manufacturing Plants. Moseley will replace retiring Mt. Holly plant manager Ken West.
John Stevenson has been promoted to Manager, Cleveland (N.C.) Truck Manufacturing Plant. Stevenson was formerly Assistant Plant Manager at Cleveland. Paul Speer, current plant manger, is retiring.
Knut Anderson has been named Manager, Santiago Tianguistenco (Mexico) Truck Manufacturing Plant, effective June 2002. He will replace current Santiago plant manager Monte Stoughton, who is retiring at mid-year. In the interim, Anderson will serve as acting Plant Manager for Freightliner's Portland Truck and Parts Manufacturing Plants.
Greg McCoy has been promoted to Manager, Gastonia (N.C.) Parts Manufacturing Plant. McCoy was mostly recently Gastonia's Assistant Plant Manager. Buddy Kircus, current plant manager, is retiring.
Paul Romannagi has been named General Manager of Quality, Freightliner LLC. He will report directly to the president and will oversee all company quality initiatives. Romannagi most recently served as Director, Customer Support Operations, for Freightliner LLC. In his new position, he replaces Ron Bush, who has been named Director of Warranty.
Bruce Smalley will fill the new position of General Manager, Marketing and Strategy. In this job, he will manage marketing for the Freightliner Trucks brand and marketing strategy for all brands. Smalley was formerly manager, DaimlerChrysler Components for Freightliner.
Freidrich Baumann has been named General Manager, Used Truck Acquisitions and Operations, effective Jan. 1. In this position, he will focus on Freightliner's used truck intake and distribution. Baumann previously held a director-level position in Freightliner LLC's used truck group.
Reid Bigland has been named General Manager of Dealer Operations, Freightliner LLC. In this position, Bigland will be responsible for growing and strengthening the distribution networks of all Freightliner LLC brands. Bigland most recently served as Director, Vocational Sales for Sterling Trucks. Harry Backeberg, current General Manager of Dealer Operations, is retiring.
"In addition to pursuing Freightliner's turnaround objectives, our new organization is intended to ensure the strength and distinctiveness of our brands and to deliver excellent product quality and strong customer support for years to come," Schmueckle said.