Cummins Inc. announced Tuesday, Dec. 15, that Engine Business President Jim Kelly will leave his current role in March 2010 in order to lead a number of key cross-business strategic projects. Kelly joined the Columbus, Ind.-based company in 1976 and was named to his current position in May 2005.
Cummins announced today, Dec. 16, that Rich Freeland, currently President – Components Business, will succeed Kelly, and that Freeland will be succeeded by Anant Talaulicar, who will continue to serve in his current capacity as managing director of Cummins India. Both Freeland and Talaulicar will assume their new roles in March 2010.
“Jim has been instrumental in the Engine Business’ success and transformation over the last two decades, and for nearly five years he has effectively led the business during a period of both record growth and the most difficult recession in decades,” says Tom Linebarger, Cummins president and chief operating officer. “Earlier this year, Jim expressed his desire to retire and for a smooth leadership transition in the Engine Business. I am extremely pleased that he has decided to remain with Cummins awhile longer in order to help us tackle some important enterprise-wide initiatives.”
Under Kelly’s leadership, Cummins became the first engine maker to meet the 2010 emissions standards in 2007 with the 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine for the Dodge Ram pickup truck. The company’s North American heavy-duty truck engine market share also doubled in the last four years, and Cummins has significantly grown its engine presence in markets around the world during Kelly’s tenure.
Kelly, who has been a Cummins vice president since 1993, has served as plant manager at two of Cummins’ highest-profile manufacturing operations – the Jamestown, N.Y., and Columbus, IN, engine plants – and has held leadership roles in virtually every segment of the Engine Business.
“Jim’s steady, thoughtful, results-oriented approach – combined with his competitiveness and deep knowledge of the diesel engine industry – has been especially valuable in keeping the Engine Business focused on remaining strong during the current downturn,” Linebarger says. “His understanding of the business now will to help us address a number of cross-business issues that are critical to our long-term success.”
Freeland, 52, joined Cummins in 1979 and has held a variety of operational and leadership roles in the Engine, Distribution and Components businesses; he took over the Components Business in February 2008. Talaulicar, 48, joined Cummins in 1986 and has led Cummins’ India operations since September 2004; under his leadership, Cummins’ business in India has nearly tripled in the past five years, with total consolidated and unconsolidated sales reaching almost $1.8 billion in 2008.
“Rich has done an outstanding job leading the Components Business, and his breadth of experience leading multiple business units, as well as the depth of his prior work in our engine-related businesses, will serve him well in his new role,” Linebarger says. “Anant is a strong leader with significant success at growing Cummins’ business in international markets, which will be invaluable as he expands his responsibilities.”
Under Freeland’s leadership, the Components Business has improved its profitability, strengthened its processes and done an outstanding job of developing new products, especially those related to meeting the 2010 emissions regulations in the United States. Prior to his role with the Components Business, Freeland ran the Distribution Business from 2005-2008, during which time it became a significant contributor to the company’s profitability. He also has held leadership roles in the PowerCare, Fuel Systems, Purchasing and Heavy Duty Operations organizations, and served as plant manager at the Columbus Engine Plant from 1996-2000.
Talaulicar has held a number of leadership roles in Power Generation during his tenure at Cummins, serving as general manager of the Commercial and Consumer lines of business for the Americas. He also has worked in the Corporate Strategy group, and has held finance, manufacturing and general management roles in the Engine Business.
“Rich and Anant are talented leaders who understand our markets and have all the skills necessary to help Cummins position itself for future success,” Linebarger says. “I am confident they will make a smooth transition into their new roles as we continue to focus on emerging from the current economic downturn an even stronger company.”
