Former ZF executive Weller named CEO of supplier Chassix

DETROIT -- Auto supplier Chassix Inc. has hired a strategy and operations ace as its next president and CEO.

Andreas Weller, 49, comes to the company a few months after its previous leader, Douglas DelGrosso, left for the top executive role at seating supplier Adient plc. Weller was most recently president of the Asia Pacific region for German driveline and chassis parts maker ZF Group.

Weller, who starts the job Jan. 28, will oversee Chassix's global expansion and boosted efforts in electrification, emissions reduction and improved fuel economy, according to a news release. Having lived and worked in North America, Europe and China, he brings to the role a strong understanding of international auto industries.

"Andreas has an impressive track record of strategic and operational accomplishments with some of the industry's most notable automotive suppliers over the past two decades that will prove valuable as we continue to accelerate our growth globally," Jonathan Foster, chairman of Chassix, said in the statement.

Prior to ZF Group, Weller worked in leadership positions at TRW Automotive and Dana Corp.

Chassix manufactures light-weight aluminum and iron cast chassis, powertrain and sub-frame auto components, according to the company. It has 23 manufacturing plants and four technical centers across the word, employing a total of 4,500 people.

The company was created in 2013, when Tom Gores-owned Platinum Equity formed it by merging Wixom-based Diversified Machine Inc. and SMW Automotive Inc. of Troy. Platinum acquired Diversified Machine from The Carlyle Group in December 2011.

Chassix filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015 with $556.7 million in total debt and $34.3 million in assets after missing bond payments, but reorganized and emerged in July of that year. Under DelGrosso's watch, it completed a $50 million expansion in Europe and a roughly $30 million acquisition of Austrian conglomerate Benteler International AG's automotive casting business last year.

Chassix reported 2017 sales of $1 billion.