NORTHVILLE, MI — Mitsubishi Electric hired two new national account managers for its heavy-duty truck business. Mitsubishi Electric currently supplies starters and alternators to heavy-duty truck OEMs and the aftermarket.
Scott Balgenorth will be responsible for Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit Diesel, Thomas Built Busses, and Motor Coach Industries (MCI). Balgenorth will also head up the North American coach, school and transit bus sector.
Marc Van Poperin will be responsible for North American truck fleet customer support, service, communications and training. He will also work to generate sales with heavy duty dealers and distributor organizations.
Balgenorth and Van Poperin will report to heavy-duty sales manager Tony Pantuso and will be based at Mitsubishi Electric’s automotive operations sales and engineering facilities in Northville, Michigan.
“Our business is growing to meet the needs of our customers, so we are very pleased to welcome these dedicated and talented people to our team,” Pantuso said. “They will help amplify Mitsubishi Electric’s customer-focused approach, enabling us to develop customized solutions for our strategic partners.”
As national account managers, Balgenorth and Van Poperin manage the growth of business in their specific areas and oversee all related sales and account management activities.
In other Mitsubishi trucking news, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. announced Tuesday that it has signed a long-term agreement with VIPAR Heavy Duty, making its heavy duty electrical components available to more than 500 VIPAR Heavy Duty distributors.
“We are pleased to forge this alliance with VIPAR Heavy Duty as we expand our heavy duty business in North America. When we looked at VIPAR’s business model, end-user focus, and commitment to quality and customer service, we were convinced that this agreement would be beneficial for our heavy duty truck end-customers,” says Dave Stone, executive director, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Heavy Duty operations. “We have had strong initial interest from our fleet customers.”
“The Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America product portfolio is known as a high quality, premium line which fits well with our strategy of partnering with the industry’s leading premium brand suppliers,” says Larry Griffin, director of Program Management, VIPAR Heavy Duty, Inc. ”We’re pleased to have them as part of our network.”
