Joe Gear Companies attend the 2013 Heavy Duty Leadership Week

Leadership development and business succession planning are two major concerns for the commercial vehicle industry and the Joe Gear Companies are at the forefront of these issues. To address these challenges, Rudy Niswanger, Joe Gear’s Vice-President, participated in Heavy Duty Leadership, the University of the Aftermarket’s comprehensive leadership development program held on Northwood University’s campus in Midland, Mich.

Heavy Duty Leadership is designed to foster the development of the next generation of heavy-duty parts distribution, manufacturing, service, association and fleet management professionals. The Heavy Duty Leadership program was taught by industry leaders in collaboration with faculty at Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management and the University of the Aftermarket.

“Joe Gear Companies exist to be a strategic resource to our clients by bringing innovative ideas and custom solutions to meet their work truck and power equipment needs. The depth of industry insight, heavy duty contacts, and leadership development gained during that week will allow us to better serve our clients now and in the future.”, stated Rudy Niswanger.

The curriculum featured an ideal blend of industry analysis, discussion and debate of new challenges and competitive strategies, individual skills training in team management, leadership roles, strategic thinking and planning, and more.

Meritor Senior Executive Pedro Ferro served as the opening keynote speaker. His speech highlighted the importance of focusing on the 20% of projects, people, and ideas that bring about 80% of the results and how to get the most out of the resources that you have.

Ferro is an experienced heavy-duty industry leader, currently serving as the senior vice president and president of Meritor’s Aftermarket & Trailer Group. In this role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s aftermarket and trailer business which supplies axles, brakes, suspension parts and other replacement and reman products to commercial vehicle aftermarket customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific.

Through this segment, the company also supplies a wide variety of undercarriage products and systems for trailer applications. Ferro is also an officer of the company.