Palatine, Ill .— Square D and Schneider North America recently changed leadership, combined its sales and marketing organization, and created a new Development and Technologies organization.

Chris Richardson, 53, was promoted July 1 to president and chief executive officer of Groupe Schneider-North America. He succeeds Charles W. Denny as chief executive officer. Mr. Denny continues as chairman until end of year 2000. Mr. Richardson, a 27-year company veteran, previously was president and chief operating officer. "Now Charles will provide more counseling and less direction," Mr. Richardson said. Mr. Denny adds, "Phasing down is a good way to leave the company."

The reorganizations aim to increase customer focus and accountability and increase strategic activities, Mr. Richardson said. Having engineering and product management together will help the organization reach its year 2000 goal of doubling performance and halving development time, according to Michael F. Lesley, vp, Development and Technologies, Square D and Groupe Schneider-North America.

The changes were broadcast Aug. 10 to 130 North American company sites via satellite from a cafeteria-made-studio in a talk-show format in the Palatine, Ill., headquarters.