Katzkin Names Richard Colliver to Advisory Board

MONTEBELLO, Calif., July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Katzkin, the global leader in vehicle interior transformation, announced today that industry veteran Richard Colliver, former executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., has joined the company's Advisory Board with a focus on helping Katzkin expand its automotive manufacturer programs. 

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According to Brooks Mayberry, chief executive officer for Katzkin, customization has become a consumer expectation.  "Automotive manufacturers are keenly aware of this trend, with consumers spending more than $30 billion annually in specialty automotive products.  The lines between custom vehicles from the factory and the aftermarket are blurring as consumers demand more choice," said Mayberry.  He also noted that vehicle interior personalization allows the automotive manufacturer to respond to consumer wants and needs with vehicle interiors that are tailored to individual tastes and lifestyles -- giving customers more choices and automotive brands greater identity.

"We are proud to have Dick joining our team as a Board Advisor," Mayberry continued. "Dick brings an incredible wealth of experience and strategic expertise to the table, and we are looking forward to working with him."

Richard Colliver served as the executive vice president of the American Honda Motor Co., Inc., where he headed both the Honda and Acura Automobile Divisions until he retired in 2009.  Mr. Colliver arrived at Honda in 1993 and is credited with solidifying the company as Japan's No. 2 player in the United States, strengthening the brand and leading a sales climb from an estimated 716,000 units in 1993 to nearly 1.5 million in 2008.  In 1997, he was promoted to executive vice president. He led the Acura Division in 1998 and, in 2005, was appointed to the Honda North America Board of Directors.

"I am looking forward to working with Katzkin's executive team," said Mr. Colliver.  "In a world that is increasingly driven by personalization, I believe Katzkin is uniquely positioned to address the automotive manufacturer's desire for delivering greater choice and self-expression to today's consumers."

Prior to joining Honda, Mr. Colliver spent more than 20 years with Mazda Motors of America.  During his Mazda tenure, he held executive positions overseeing vehicle and parts distribution, business planning, dealer placement, dealer operations and feasibility analysis for new product lines. Prior to joining Mazda, Mr. Colliver held a number of sales and marketing positions with General Motors and Chrysler.  Mr. Colliver holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He also completed the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School Advanced Management program.  Mr. Colliver remains active providing strategic business counsel and support to automotive manufacturers and retail auto dealers.

About Katzkin Leather, Inc.

Founded in 1983, Katzkin Leather, Inc., of Montebello, California is the leading manufacturer of custom leather interiors.  With a nationwide installer base featuring over 2,500 restyling locations, Katzkin has created nearly two million exciting vehicle interiors in the past 30 years.  Katzkin maintains more than 3,000 interior patterns, 135 colors and materials, and more custom options than any other interior manufacturer.  For more information, visit Katzkin online at www.katzkin.com.

Contact: Deb Pollack, for Katzkin Leather, Inc.
(t) 805-320-9248 (e) [email protected]

SOURCE Katzkin Leather, Inc.