08/11/16

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) has announced the appointment of Brian Hazelton to the position of Vice President & General Manager - Motorhome Business, effective August 29, 2016. This Executive Officer position will report directly to Michael Happe, President and CEO. Hazelton will have responsibility for leading Winnebago's core motorized recreational vehicle division, which includes a full line of well-known gas and diesel products sold predominantly in North America.

Hazelton previously was Chief Executive Officer of Schwing America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of specialty concrete-related construction equipment. Prior to his time with Schwing, Hazelton worked for Terex Corporation and Detroit Diesel Corporation in various Vice President roles, many of which were customer-facing areas such as sales, marketing, service, and dealer development.

"We are excited to welcome Brian to the Winnebago Industries team. Brian is a talented, customer-centric leader with a strong record of delivering results, both financially and within the markets he has served," said Happe. "We believe his skill set, including the last seven years as a CEO spent transforming an organization, plus the RV industry experience of the team he inherits will make for a productive combination benefiting our channel partners and end customers."

Hazelton is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with an undergraduate degree in Business/Finance.

I think it's too bad, because Brian did an amazing job. I wish him the best in his new job.

I personally think that they should bring Tom Anderson back for at least a year until they find someone to fit the bill. Tom still loves concrete pumps, it's in his blood.

Your right Ken about Tom Anderson. great guy. I believe Brian Hazelton will be missed. Schwing will find someone good to help run the show. 

Schwing America CEO Brian Hazelton resigns

Brian Hazelton resigned Thursday as president and CEO of Schwing America, the White Bear Township-based manufacturer of concrete equipment that fought off liquidation in a bankruptcy fight.

Hazelton is stepping down "to pursue a new leadership position in the recreational vehicle industry," Schwing America said in a news release that did not identify his next employer.



Brian Hazelton was formerly CEO of Schwing America.

He joined the domestic subsidiary of Germany-based Schwing Group in 2003, previously holding the title of vice president of sales, marketing and service.

SCHWING AMERICA NAMES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

St. Paul, MN (August 18, 2016) – Schwing America Inc. (SAI) (http://schwing.com) announced today its new leadership team of Bill Murray and Tom O’Malley following the resignation last week of former CEO, Brian Hazelton.

Bill Murray, CFO for the past four years at SAI, has been named as CEO effective immediately. For two years prior to that, Murray held the position of Chief Restructuring Officer and independent Board Member. Over his 30-year business career, Murray has held senior level finance, operating and consulting positions in several companies including divisions of Daimler Chrysler and General Motors.

Tom O’Malley has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, capping off a career of nearly 20 years at Schwing in various sales and marketing roles. Prior to Schwing, O’Malley had worked for Putzmeister America and Rotec Industries. Both Murray and O’Malley will serve on the Board of Directors of Schwing America. Rounding out the senior leadership team, Lisa Kraft-Kujawa will continue to serve as VP of Human Resources and Administration. Kraft-Kujawa joined Schwing last year after a consulting position with the organization. Joseph Schnittker, Director of Engineering & Design of Schwing Group, based in Herne, 

Germany will also help guide the company with direct responsibility and co-ordination of the Engineering and Research and Development groups in Herne and the Minnesota facilities. “I am confident in this team’s ability to continue to advance Schwing America as the premium concrete product manufacturer in North America,” said Dr. Gunther Abolins, Managing Director of Schwing Group in Herne, Germany. “They will continue to lead our talented team of senior leaders and dedicated employees to provide the best products and services for our current and future customers.”

About Schwing America

Schwing America is part of the Schwing Group, headquartered in Herne, Germany with manufacturing facilities, as well as sales and service centers, globally. Located in the St. Paul suburb of White Bear Township, MN, Schwing America manufactures industry leading concrete pumps, mixer trucks, reclaimers and genuine parts for sale and distribution in North and Latin America. (http://schwing.com)