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Chris Davidian
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Milwaukee-Based Parent Company Rebrands to Highlight Collaborative Manufacturing Approach
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee-based Jason Incorporated, parent company to a global family of manufacturing leaders in the finishing, seating, components and automotive acoustics markets, today announced the addition of two key executives to its headquarters management team. Srivas Prasad has been appointed to the role of vice president of business development, while Maria Luther has been named vice president of human resources. Additionally, the company has completed the introduction of a new branding initiative, intended to highlight its “collaborative manufacturing” approach to business excellence.
“This is a very exciting time in our corporate history,” notes David Westgate, Jason chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Not only is Jason experiencing record growth due to the strengths of our manufacturing companies, but to further that track, we’re aggressively pursuing acquisitions in each of our business segments while identifying new segments in which to enter. With so much emphasis on building a strong future, it made sense to bolster our management team in Milwaukee while improving our brand’s identity.”
Prasad, who joined Jason Inc. in 2006 from Kautex Textron (Textron Inc), and was most recently vice president of North American operations for Janesville Acoustics, a Jason company, has a strong background in leading sales growth and strategic planning. Thus, he will be responsible for clarifying Jason’s long-term growth strategies for existing business, identifying the need to add verticals to support new growth markets, and leading the mergers and acquisitions process.
“During my tenure with Jason I’ve seen the company evolve and survive a difficult global economic climate,” said Prasad. “Despite challenges presented by the global economy, Jason leadership and employees remained focused on performance excellence. Thus, today we’re experiencing significant growth and are well positioned to continue in that manner.”
Prasad holds a masters degree in engineering and is a graduate of Bangalore University in Bangalore, India (bachelors degree) and Lamar University in Beaumont, Tex. (masters degree).
Luther, who was most recently senior director of human resources at PotashCorp, brings to Jason a wealth of experience in human resources and labor/employment law and is accomplished at coordinating the efforts of multiple business units to achieve exceptional results company-wide. In her new position, she is responsible for partnering with Jason business leaders to create human capital strategies that strengthen the company’s already high-performing workforce, while supporting long-term growth objectives.
“I’m excited to be joining a company that emphasizes collaboration and sets high expectations while truly valuing its people,” said Luther. “By furthering collaboration, the very best HR practices among Jason businesses will become the standard for our company overall. Not only will this help to strengthen our workforce, it will also allow us to attract top talent.”
Luther holds a juris doctorate from Duke University Law School (Durham, N.C.) and attended The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pa.).
As part of Jason’s re-branding initiative, the company has a new identity and clarified messaging that emphasize its unique “collaborative manufacturing” principle. Through this approach, Jason leverages the shared expertise of its manufacturing businesses to produce best-in-class results and collective strength. Among the areas where the new Jason brand is now visible are the company’s website (http://www.jasoninc.com), collateral materials and signage.
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Jason Incorporated is parent company to a global family of manufacturing leaders within the seating, finishing, seating, components and automotive acoustics markets, including Assembled Products (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), Janesville Acoustics (Southfield, Mich.), Metalex (Libertyville, Illl.), Milsco (Milwaukee, Wis.), Osborn (Cleveland, Ohio and Burgwald, Germany) and Sealeze (Richmond, Va.).
All Jason companies utilize the Jason Business System, a collaborative manufacturing strategy applicable to a diverse group of companies that includes business principles and processes to ensure best-in-class results and collective strength.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Jason employs more than 3,600 individuals in 19 countries. To learn more, visit http://www.jasoninc.com.
