Thomas & Betts Corp.(T&B), Memphis, announced that Christopher P. Hartmann will join the company to lead its electrical products business effective April 28. Hartmann replaces Dominic J. Pileggi, who was promoted to president and chief operating officer of T&B earlier this year. Hartmann will report to Pileggi.
In his new position, Hartmann will have overall responsibility for T&B electrical products operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Hartmann joins T&B from Affiliated Distributors (A-D), where he served as president and chief operating officer. Affiliated Distributors is one of North America's largest marketing/buying groups, accounting for more than $18 billion in annual sales.
Hartmann was responsible for managing all of A-D's divisions, including electrical supply, plumbing, industrial supply, and pipe, valves and fittings. Prior to joining A-D, Hartmann held management positions with Allen-Bradley Co. (a division of Rockwell Automation), AB Electrolux/White Consolidated and General Electric.
“Chris has extensive industry knowledge and is a proven leader with a track record of successfully directing operations and driving profitable growth,” said Pileggi. “His experience inside the distributor channel should prove invaluable in enhancing T&B's strong focus on customer service.”
In other company news, T&B said it earned $5 million for the quarter ended March 30 compared with a year-ago loss of $56.5 million. Sales decreased 8.9 percent to $311.5 million from $342.1 million. The company said its sales were hurt by lower capital investment in the utility sector.
Sales in the company's electrical segment were $241 million for the first quarter 2003, down 6 percent from the $256.5 million reported in the prior-year period. 2002 first quarter results included $5.3 million in sales from products that have since been discontinued.