BROADVIEW, Ill. (Oct. 22, 2013) — Robert Bosch L.L.C.'s North American aftermarket division has made several changes to its sales leadership team in the U.S., in order to lead the company through the next phase of its Independent Aftermarket (IAM) strategy.
As part of the change, Robert Bloom, who came to Bosch in 2011 as vice president of independent aftermarket sales, has been named senior vice president, automotive aftermarket, U.S.
Mr. Bloom, whose sales background includes 15 years with Black & Decker, will lead several Bosch divisions in the U.S., including: sales; customer service; digital and channel marketing; category management; CARGO sales and operations; technical sales; and service and the Bosch Car Service network, which serves nearly 2,000 locations in North America.
To support the company's anticipated growth and new initiatives, Mr. Bloom has implemented the restructuring of Bosch's sales team in the U.S. market. The changes are as follows:
- Chuck Kerrigan, vice president of channel sales, retail – Mr. Kerrigan, a Bosch veteran, will lead all sales and business development activities for key retail channel partners, the company said. He joined the company in 1980 as a sales representative, and has since held several positions including sales manager, director of sales and, most recently, director regional business unit leader-filtration, North America.
- Justin Johnson, vice president of channel sales, AutoZone – Mr. Johnson's 23-year background with Bosch includes responsibility for original equipment sales with Ford Motor Co. Bosch said his blend of experience "makes him especially well-suited to lead the sales and business development activity, as well as further the strategic partnership between Bosch and AutoZone."
- Thomas Novak, vice president of channel sales, heavy duty/diesel – Mr. Novak, who has been involved in the heavy-duty diesel and electrical industries for more than 40 years, joined Bosch as a diesel sales specialist in 1977. Since then he has held various sales and management positions with the company, both in the OE and independent aftermarket heavy duty diesel channels. He also is a board director for the Association of Diesel Specialists.
- Tim Bruin, vice president of channel sales, traditional – In his new role with Bosch, Mr. Bruin will leverage his 30-plus years of professional aftermarket experience to gain share with the firm's traditional base of wholesale distribution, product distribution groups and key specialty customers, Bosch said. A Bosch employee since 2009, Mr. Bruin is a member of both the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Manufacturers Advisory Council and Sales Council, and he has served on the AWDA Board of Governors.
"Each of these channel VPs has unique qualifications for his particular area that will provide the necessary leadership to grow our business and our strategic customer relationships," Mr. Bloom said. "The best days of the Bosch organization are still ahead, and I am privileged to lead this newly structured team of highly qualified aftermarket professionals into the future."