Henniges CEO to become top exec at Chassix

Southfield, Michigan – Chassix Holdings Inc. has appointed Douglas DelGrosso as its new CEO, effective Jan. 4, the firm said in a Dec. 15 news release.

DelGrosso has served as CEO of Henniges Automotive Inc., a position he has held since August 2012. During that time, the firm has tripled its sales in China since 2011 to about $150 million, completed a number of strategic alliances and acquisitions, broke ground on a new manufacturing plant in Mexico set to become operational in 2016, and was sold to AVIC Automotive Systems, a China-based automotive supplier.

Chassix manufactures precision casting and machining solutions, including precision ductile iron and aluminum chassis components. Henniges provides automotive original equipment manufacturers with sealing systems for doors, windows, trunks, lift gates, sunroofs and hoods. It also supplies the automotive market with anti-vibration products, encapsulated glass and other rubber components.

“I am excited to join Chassix, which plays a critical roll as a key supplier of important products for automotive manufacturers,” DelGrosso said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the board and management team, as well as Chassix’s dedicated employees, to capitalize further on the company’s strengths and be an even more effective partner to our customers.”

Henniges officials could not be reached immediately for comment.

Prior to Henniges, DelGrosso served as vice president and general manager of TRW Inc.’s Global Braking and Suspension operations and as president of Lear Corp., a supplier of automotive seating systems and electrical power management systems.

At Chassix, he will succeed Mark Allan, who led the firm through successful financial restructuring, Chassix said.

“Doug comes to us with an enormous wealth of experience in our industry,” Jonathan F. Foster, non-executive chairman of the Chassix board of directors, said in the release. “He has a superb reputation in the industry and a track record of proven results. We are fortunate to have an executive of his calibre join our team and are confident he will lead the company very effectively.”

Chassix reported sales of $1.4 billion (€1.28 billion) in 2014 and employs 4,500 in 26 locations worldwide.