Carlstar Group LLC has named Jacob Thomas as chief executive officer and board member, effective May 8, 2018.
Thomas succeeds John Salvatore, who is retiring at the end of May after serving as CEO since 2015.
Prior to joining Carlstar, Thomas was group president of Clarcor’s engine mobile filtration business (and vice president, engine mobile and hydraulic filtration platform after Clarcor was acquired by Parker Hannifin in March 2017).
Before Clarcor, Thomas was president of the diaphragm and dosing pumps group of Idex Corp.
His experience includes seven years of executive roles for Terex Corp. including as the president of Terex Latin America based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Thomas also worked for nine years for Navistar International Corp. in a series of senior positions, including vice president of Navistar’s big bore diesel engines business unit, and also held positions at Case Corp. and Ford Motor Co.
“We want to sincerely thank John Salvatore for his leadership over the past four years as a member of the board and past three years as CEO of the Carlstar Group,” says Dino Cusumano, senior managing partner of American Industrial Partners (AIP), Carlstar’s majority shareholder.
Salvatore will remain on the Carlstar board and will be a key senior advisor to AIP.
“Throughout John’s tenure, the organization has continued to deliver improved results and the business is well positioned for sustainable growth.”
The Carlstar Group is headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., and is a global manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket specialty tires and wheels for the agriculture, construction, outdoor power equipment, powersports, high-speed trailer and flat free/manual markets. Carlstar products are offered under several brands including Carlisle tires and wheels, ITP tires and wheels, as well as Cragar, Black Rock and Unique wheels and Marastar flat free and manual tires.
