Parker Hannifin Corporation on December 12 announced the retirement of president and chief operating officer Nickolas W. Vande Steeg. Vande Steeg, 63, will retire as president and as a member of Parker's board of directors at the end of this calendar year. Current chairman and chief executive office Donald E. Washkewicz will assume the title of president.
To ensure a smooth transition, the operational responsibility for Parker's business groups previously held by Vande Steeg is now under the responsibility of two executives, who were recently promoted to the position of senior vice president, operating officer. Each has separate and defined oversight for Parker's business groups and regions.
As previously announced, Lee C. Banks and Thomas L. Williams were promoted to their new roles November 1 to oversee the company's industrial businesses. This new alignment allows for more focused support of Parker's regional groups in Latin America, Asia Pacific and
Commenting on Vande Steeg's remarkable 35-year career at Parker, Washkewicz said, "Nick's leadership has inspired many throughout the company to continue his legacy of success. Among Nick's many accomplishments, he took the initiative to successfully execute the Win Strategy, which has reshaped the company to achieve the record results we are experiencing today."
Vande Steeg began his career at Parker as a Total Quality Assurance manager within the company's seal business in 1971. He advanced at the company through 10 positions, including general manager, global seal group president, and finally president and COO.
"Under Nick's stewardship, the company has grown substantially around the world," said Washkewicz. "He has reinforced a culture of execution and results at Parker that will serve the company well for many years to come. We wish him the very best in retirement."
"I'd like to thank the thousands of Parker employees whose hard work over the years has moved the company into a top quartile position relative to our peers," noted Vande Steeg. "You have helped to make Parker into a great company, and have done so with a level of integrity and purpose that allows Parker people to be recognized with respect the world over. I'm confident that your professionalism and focus on premier customer service, along with our recent executive appointments, point toward even brighter days for Parker in the future."
With annual sales exceeding $9 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 57,000 people in 43 countries around the world.