Heller Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

The Heller Group (Troy, MI) has appointed Keith Vandenkieboom as Heller U.S. president and chief executive officer effective January 1, 2014, upon the retirement of Robert Pelachyk. Vandenkieboom was formerly vice president of operations and will retain those responsibilities.

In making the announcement, Manfred Maier, Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH’s chief operations officer, said the new appointment will assure a smooth transition and seamless continuation of Heller policies and operations in the NAFTA market. Maier also thanked Pelachyk for his highly effective service to Heller Group over the past seven years during which time the company’s US operation booked its highest ever sales. Heller in the US is the largest supplier of manufacturing systems to the heavy-duty diesel engine industry and a major supplier to the US automotive industry.

Other key managers will maintain their roles at the company. Vandenkieboom  will have the full support of Vincent Trampus, vice president sales and proposals and J. Scott Babyak, vice president, engineering and program management.

An overview of the Heller U.S. machine tools operation that designs and assembles machining centers and flexible machining systems for the market, supporting them with engineering services, training, and spare parts.

“In North America alone, Heller has installed more than 1000 machine tools in the last few years, and we intend to expand, maintain and grow our ability to fully support customers and help them maximize the productivity of Heller solutions over the long term,” Maier said. “Keith’s appointment will help (the company) continue its progress in this very important market.”

Vandenkieboom has been with the firm since 2006 and has been well known to its customers and suppliers first as vice president group procurement and most recently vice president of operations at Heller US.

www.heller-us.com