IAC Group Names James K. Kamsickas Global Chief Executive Officer

LUXEMBOURG, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International Automotive Components (IAC) Group has appointed James K. Kamsickas as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 15, 2012. Kamsickas previously served as global co-chief executive officer and president of North America and Asia.

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Jens R. Hohnel, who served as global co-chief executive officer and president of Europe, is retiring after more than 40 years in the automotive and vehicle interiors supplier industry. Hohnel will continue with the organization in a special advisory role until April 2013 to ensure a smooth transition.

"We are grateful to Jens for his efforts during the formative period of IAC. The foundation he created and Jim's prior role as global co-CEO assure a flawless transition of leadership," said IAC Group Chairman Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. "Jim has 23 years of automotive and interiors experience, and extensive international business expertise. With Jim's leadership skills and global experience, he is the ideal choice to lead IAC Group's global business moving forward."

Kamsickas and Hohnel have successfully helped to establish and secure IAC Group's position as a leading tier-one supplier. With significant international automotive business expertise, their leadership and alignment of the company's regional operations allowed IAC Group to thrive and transform into the global vehicle interiors leader that it is today.  

In addition to executing numerous major acquisitions and integrations of distressed companies related to the founding and growth of IAC Group's global operations, Kamsickas effectively guided IAC Group through the 2008-2009 economic crisis in North America. During this time, IAC Group played a key role in consolidating the North American automotive interior supply space.  Also, he initiated the company's expansion in Asia, creating regional headquarters, technical centers and new manufacturing facilities in three of the continent's largest countries.

Previously the head of Lear Corporation's Interior Systems Division, which became IAC Group North American and Asian operations in 2007, Kamsickas held a number of leadership roles within the organization, including as a vice president in its GM, Ford and Chrysler customer divisions and vice president of operations of Lear's Seating, Electrical and Interiors divisions. Also, he served in several key positions in the development of Lear's European operations, including international assignments in Germany, Sweden and Austria. 

Since the creation of IAC Group Europe in 2006, Hohnel was instrumental in the company's formation, including the successful integration of multiple strategic acquisitions in Europe and subsequent success through the 2010 consolidation of the company's regional operations into one global organization. Hohnel will continue to serve as a member of the company's Board of Directors.  In that role, he will lend his extensive experience and market knowledge to the future success of IAC Group.

"Jens has been effective in running our European operations and helping us grow our global footprint," said Ross. "We appreciate that he will support a transition that will effectively allow us to remain focused on our current business plan and provide exceptional customer satisfaction.  We thank Jens for the important role he has played in shaping IAC in its formative years and wish him well in his retirement."

ABOUT IAC GROUP
IAC Group is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including interior and exterior trim. IAC Group's 2011 sales were $4.4 billion. The company operates 76 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries. IAC employs approximately 23,000 people around the world and is headquartered in Luxembourg. For more information, visit www.iacgroup.com.

SOURCE International Automotive Components Group