James J. Connor Joins Tecumseh Products Company As Vice President And Chief Financial Officer

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tecumseh Products Company (Nasdaq: TECUA, TECUB), a leading global manufacturer of compressors and related products, announced today that James J. Connor has been named vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer, effective immediately.  Connor has broad experience with manufacturing companies at the CFO and CEO levels and as a strategic advisor.

Connor's appointment follows the Company's Dec. 23 announcement that Michael A. Noelke has been named executive vice president, sales, marketing and engineering.  Noelke is joining Tecumseh from the Sporlan Division of Parker Hannifin Corp., Washington, Mo., where he was global vice president, business development.

"Jim, Mike and I share a commitment to lean manufacturing, continuous improvement in quality and product design, excellent customer service and financial discipline," said James Wainright, Tecumseh Products' president and chief executive officer.  "That's the formula that will drive our results going forward.  We will work together to take advantage of our improved balance sheet, accelerate our drive to become cash-flow positive and create a platform for profitable growth."

Jim Connor

Connor brings deep operational, financial and leadership skills to Tecumseh Products.  As a managing director of BBK, Ltd., since 2005, he has worked with automotive suppliers and other manufacturing companies to help them develop and implement their product, financial and operating strategies.  

From 2000 to 2005, he was president and chief executive officer of Newcor, Inc., which manufactures precision-machined components and related products for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and appliance industries. At Newcor, he implemented a Toyota-like lean production system that helped improve the company's design and manufacturing processes and quality.  He also led the company through a successful Chapter 11 reorganization in 2002-2003.  He joined Newcor in 1999 as vice president and chief financial officer.

Before joining Newcor, he was vice president and chief financial officer for Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc., from 1996 to 1999 and coordinated that company's initial public offering.   From 1991 to 1996, as president of engine bearing manufacturer Glacier Vandervell, Inc., he helped drive improved performance across all facets of the business.