Colfax Names Ken Konopa ESAB Vice President of Marketing and Vince Northfield ESAB Vice President of Global Manufacturing

FULTON, Md., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Colfax Corporation ("Colfax") (NYSE: CFX), a global leading manufacturer of gas- and fluid-handling and fabrication technology products and services, today announced that Kenneth D. Konopa has been named Vice President of Marketing for ESAB and Vincent Northfield has been named Vice President of Global Manufacturing for ESAB, effective immediately. 

Ken will be responsible for ESAB's strategy, product management, R&D and marketing communications, as well as its automation business.  Most recently President of Danaher Corporation's Fluke Industrial and Ormco divisions, Ken brings to ESAB a deep and strong background in industrial marketing.

Vince will be responsible for ESAB's equipment and consumables manufacturing worldwide.  Most recently Executive Vice President of Global Operations for Teleflex Medical, Vince brings to ESAB significant experience with global production networks and a passion for lean manufacturing.

Separately, Colfax announced that Gareth Rhys-Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Charter International, and Brendan Colgan, ESAB Chief Executive Officer, have resigned, effective immediately. In addition to his responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of Colfax, Clay Kiefaber will serve as acting Chief Executive Officer of ESAB.

Clay H. Kiefaber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Colfax, stated, "We're pleased to be adding high caliber, proven leaders like Ken and Vince to the ESAB team.  They have that rare combination of general management experience and deep functional expertise, and are committed to delivering superior products, services and solutions to our customers. Both will play key roles in rebuilding ESAB into the pre-eminent manufacturer of welding and cutting solutions."

ABOUT COLFAX CORPORATION — Colfax Corporation is a diversified global manufacturing and engineering company that provides gas- and fluid-handling and fabrication technology products and services to commercial and governmental customers around the world under the Howden, Colfax Fluid Handling and ESAB brands. Colfax believes that its brands are among the most highly recognized in each of the markets that it serves. Colfax is traded on the NYSE under the ticker "CFX." Additional information about Colfax is available at www.colfaxcorp.com.

SOURCE Colfax Corporation