Siemens automation and motion, power groups get new leaders
Siemens organizations for automation and motion and power distribution and controls have new leadership. As of Jan. 15, 2007, Tom Kopanski, formerly vice president of the Automation and Motion Division (AMD) at Siemens Energy and Automation (SE&A), took over the helm as vice president of the company’s Power Distribution and Controls Division (PD&C). Simultaneously, Raj Batra took over for Kopanski at AMD. Batra was vice president of the company’s Automotive and Aerospace Center of Competence.
“We have the utmost confidence in these proven leaders, who have strong customer orientation and a comprehensive knowledge of the power distribution and automation markets,” said Aubert Martin, president and CEO, Siemens Energy and Automation. “They have a solid understanding of Siemens’ global strategy and have built a network of support that will enable them to lead their respective organizations forward with a strong focus on the market and a commitment to operational excellence.”
PD&C manufactures products to control and distribute the flow of electricity for the commercial and industrial construction markets. PD&C’s customer base consists of electrical contractors, OEMs, retailers, system integrators, industrial end-users and a national network of electrical distributors. Kopanski‘s responsibilities include the Circuit Protection, Controls and Electrical Apparatus business units.
Kopanski joined Siemens Energy & Automation in 1992 as manager, training & promotions for AC Controls. He held various managerial positions within SE&A including general manager of the Drives Business Unit in 1997, vice president and general manager of the Solutions Business Unit in October 1999. He was named vice president of the AMD in July of 2002. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.
As vice president of the Automation and Motion Division, Batra has responsibility for overall planning, organization and direction of all activities of the division, which manufactures industrial automation products for discrete and process automation, production machines, microsystems and machine tools. He joined Siemens in 1993 and held a variety of high-level sales and industry positions as senior account manager, Automotive Business Unit Manager and General Motors global account manager before being appointed vice president — Automotive Center of Competence in 2002. In this role, he was responsible for SE&A’s automotive go-to-market strategy in the North America. In early 2005, Batra also assumed the responsibility of establishing and formalizing the go-to-market strategy for the burgeoning US-Aerospace Industry. Batra received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Lawrence Technological University in 1990 and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan in 1997. Batra will continue as head of the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Competence until a replacement is named.
— Control Engineering Daily News DeskC.G. Masi, senior editor, charlie.masi@reedbusiness.com
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