Heller Group has appointed Keith Vandenkieboom Heller US president and CEO effective January 1, 2014, upon the retirement of Robert  Pelachyk. Vandenkieboom was formerly vice preseident of operations and will retain those responsibilities.

In making the announcement, Manfred Maier, Heller Group COO Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Nürtingen Germany, said the new appointment will assure a smooth transition and seamless continuation of Heller policies and operations in the NAFTA market, Maier added.

Maier also thanked Pelachyk for his highly effective service to Heller Group over the past seven years during which time the company’s U.S. operation booked its highest ever sales. Heller in the U.S. is the largest supplier of manufacturing systems to the heavy-duty diesel engine industry and a major supplier to the U.S. automotive industry.

Other key managers will maintain their roles at Heller. Vandenkieboom  will have the full support of
Vincent Trampus, vice president sales and proposals and J. Scott Babyak, vice Ppesident, engineering and program management.

“In North America alone, Heller has installed more than 1,000 machine tools in the last few years, and we intend to expand, maintain and grow our ability to fully support Heller customers and help them maximize the productivity of Heller solutions over the long term,” Maier said. “Keith’s appointment will help Heller continue its progress in this very important market.”

Vandenkieboom has been with Heller US since 2006 and has been well known to its customers and suppliers first as vice president group procurement and most recently vice president of operations at Heller US.