Johnson to lead Baldor in Europe

Bristol, UK -- Gavin Johnson has been appointed managing director of Baldor's European operations. Based at Baldor UK headquarters in Bristol, he will provide strategic direction for the continuing integration of Baldor with the Reliance electric motor and Dodge power transmission brands across Europe. Baldor acquired the Reliance and Dodge brands in February, and the new combined operation now has four locations, in the UK, Switzerland and two in Germany.

"Competition from low-wage economies has changed part of the marketplace. What's significant for me is that all three of our brands share the most incredible heritage of intellectual property and manufacturing know-how centred on the US and Europe, said Johnson.

With a degree in mechanical engineering, Johnson has spent his career in industrial automation roles. Most recently, he was general manager of Baldor's motion control design and manufacturing facility in the UK, and jointly managed Baldor's European operations for its industrial motor and drive products.

Baldor now has 27 plants worldwide, and over 8,000 employees, and has grown to become the leading vendor in a number of major market segments including being the USA's leading vendor of electric motors and power transmission products. In electric motors, it is the second largest supplier globally.

Before the acquisition, Baldor produced industrial motors, drives, generators and motion control equipment, including electric motors up to around 40 kW. Reliance's motor ranges complement this market profile, as the company is best known for large motors up to the multi-thousand kW area. The Dodge brand encompasses power transmission range, including mounted bearings, enclosed gearing, couplings, sheaves and pulleys.