FRAS-LE Fills Two Strategic Engineering Positions

May 16, 2011 - PRLog -- Farmington Hills, Mich. ––   Fras-le North America Inc., one of the largest friction material manufacturers in the world, recently filled two key sales and engineering positions to help accelerate its North American business. Fabio Jurchaks was promoted to the position of sales and engineering manager, while Matt Robere is the company's new application/NVH engineer.

Jurchaks has over ten years of experience in the automotive industry, and has worked for Fras-le for over six years. He most recently was the company's project manager for OE light-duty business in North America. In his new responsibilities, Jurchaks will lead the commercial and pricing strategy for OE and aftermarket in the heavy-duty, specialties, off-highway, military, aerospace and industrial industries. He will also have similar responsbilities for the company's OE business for medium and light-duty.  In addition, Jurchaks will be in charge of Fras-le's engineering team in North America and will be an account manager for some key North American customers.

"We are excited to give Fabio more authority and vision for the future of the business units he's responsibile for," said Zomar Oliveira, director of operations, Fras-le  North America. "In addition, we are excited to welcome Matt to ensure the successful acquisition and launch of  major OE disc pad programs."

Robere most recently was a friction test engineer for Akebono, primarily responsible for General Motors friction products before becoming the company's senior friction engineer in 2009. In that role he was responsible for all General Motors and Ford friction product supplied by Akebono. Robere's primary expertise is his knowledge of brake dynamometers and problem solving.

Fras-le brake pads and linings , known for their quality and performance features, are available in the North American OE and aftermarket, as well as in more than 80 other countries. All of the company's North American friction products are comprised of application specific formulations, are made from top-quality raw materials and are asbestos-free.

For more information about Fras-le, phone: (248) 592-5000, e-mail: fras-lenorthamerica@fras-le.com, or visit: www.fras-le.com.

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A global leader in brake technology and innovation, Fras-le is one of the largest friction materials manufacturers in the world. Fras-le, certified in ISO 9001, ISO 14000 and ISO TS 16949, also has its own state-of-the-art research & development center. Fras-le manufactures over 9,000 part numbers including heavy duty brake linings, light brake linings, brake pads, clutch facings, motorcycle brake shoes and pads, molded and woven brake linings, brake shoes for railway and subway and universal flat sheets. With plants in Brazil, China and the United States, distribution centers in Argentina and Europe, and commercial offices in the United States, Chile, Europe, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Africa and China, Fras-le keeps a well-structured team to serve its customers in more than 80 countries on all continents. More information about Fras-le can be found at www.fras-le.com.