Fifth-wheel manufacturer Fontaine International and its aftermarket business, Fontaine Parts Connection on June 9 announced organizational changes impacting the Irondale, Ala.-based companies’ sales, marketing and engineering departments.
At Fontaine International, Terry Mennen has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing; Britt Caple has rejoined the sales team as key account manager; and Scott Shearer has been hired as corporate industrial engineer. Toby Harris has joined Fontaine Parts Connection as vice president of sales and marketing.
Mennen came to Fontaine International as vice president of business development in 2007. In his new position, he is responsible for all of the company’s sales and marketing activities in North America, as well as customer service and business development. As a member of senior staff, he plays a critical role in the business’s success. Mennen has almost 25 years of experience in the commercial vehicle industry. He has worked for Federal-Mogul, Hendrickson International and MacLean-Fogg.
Caple will report to Mennen as key account manager. He is responsible for key fleet and OEM dealer business development in the north central region. Caple has been with Fontaine International since 1989. He has held the positions of customer service manager, OEM account manager, corporate marketing manager and national accounts manager. As a regional sales manager, he was named Fontaine International’s Salesman of the Year four times. He most recently served as director of sales and marketing for Fontaine Parts Connection.
Harris takes over for Caple at Fontaine Parts Connection. He is responsible for all of the company’s sales and marketing programs throughout North America. In addition to his aftermarket responsibilities, Harris also plays a strategic role as a member of Fontaine International’s senior staff. Harris joins Fontaine Parts Connection from its sister business, Fontaine Trailer Co., where he had served as director of marketing for the dealer business unit since October 2005. Previously, Harris spent 12 years with refuse collection vehicle manufacturer Heil Environmental in the areas of customer service, international and regional sales management, and marketing.
Shearer fills the new Fontaine International position of corporate industrial engineer. He is responsible for the company’s quality and environmental systems, as well as all safety and OSHA compliance and accident recording/reporting. He also will take an active role in industrial engineering projects. Shearer comes to Fontaine from Innomotive Systems U.S., where he was a project manager/engineering change controller. Previously, he served as supplier quality engineer for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, quality engineer for Johnson Controls Inc., and process engineer for U.S. Pipe & Foundry Co.
“Fontaine International and Fontaine Parts Connection will be stronger companies as a result of these personnel changes, which will contribute to meeting our goal of exceeding our customers’ expectations,” says Henry Bell, president of Fontaine International – North America.
