Bob Foster is retiring at the end of 2005 as president of Heil Trailer International, Chattanooga TN, the company has announced. Andy Fincher, executive vice-president, will succeed Foster January 1, 2006.
Foster began his career in 1977, as material manager during the early construction phase of the Heil Company Athens TN facility. Foster was instrumental in completing the successful transition of all tank trailer production from Milwaukee WI to Tennessee.
In 1989, he was promoted to vice-president, general manager of the Tank Trailer Group. Subsequent to Dover's purchase of the Heil Company and the Heil Company split, Foster became president of Heil Trailer International in 1995. During his tenure, Heil acquired three other businesses in the United States (J & L, Trailmaster and Kalyn Siebert), doubled the size of its flagship plant in Athens, and expanded operations to Asia, South America, and Europe.
Fincher has led Heil's management and strategic direction since being named executive vice-president in 2004. During his 12 years of service, Fincher had assignments that included regional sales, marketing, and many key management initiatives.