CNH Global NV (NYSE:CNH) announced the appointment of Franco Fusignani as President and Chief Executive Officer of New Holland Agricultural Equipment S.p.A. He replaces Barry Engle, who has left CNH to pursue other interests.
Franco Fusignani will assume his new role effective September 20, 2010 and will retain his current role as CEO of CNH International SA.
Franco brings with him extensive international experience and an impressive record of results. After joining the Fiat Group in 1970 as an engineer, he held a variety of positions within the industrial and business' activities of the Group. In 1978, Franco took the lead of the Fiat diesel operations - trucks, buses and engines - in Latin America. In 1981, he established the new Fiat Diesel Engine Division in Europe. In 1986, Franco was appointed Vice President of the Industrial Construction Equipment operations. In 1992, he was assigned responsibility for the European Agricultural Commercial operations and in 1996, he took the lead of the International Agricultural business establishing new industrial presence in Poland, Turkey, India, China and Mexico and strengthening the commercial presence in Africa, the Middle East, CIS and Asia. Before being named President of CNH International, he served as Senior Vice President of CNH Agricultural Industrial Product Development. In 2009, he was assigned responsibility for the entire Construction operations within CNH International, in addition to his responsibilities for the Agricultural operations.
Franco Fusignani will drive further the growth of New Holland Agriculture worldwide supported by a strong strategy of continued investments into new product developments, an excellent dealer network and supporting services.