Cummins Inc. last week named Rich Freeland the next president of the company’s Engine Business. Freeland, currently president – Components Business, will succeed Jim Kelly who will leave his current his role in March 2010 to lead a number of key cross-business strategic projects.
“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,” said Cummins president and chief operating officer Tom Linebarger.
“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.”
Anant Talaulicar will succeed Freeland as president of the Components Business while continuing to serve in his current capacity as managing director of Cummins India. Both Freeland and Talaulicar will assume their new roles in March 2010.
“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,” said Linebarger. “Anant is a strong leader with significant success at growing Cummins’ business in international markets, which will be invaluable as he expands his responsibilities.”
Freeland 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.
Under his 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.
Talaulicar 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.
Talaulicar will split his time between the company’s headquarters in Columbus, Ind., and Pune, India.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ind., Cummins Inc. is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems.
