Associated Equipment Corporation (AEC) announced that Kim Cottle, formerly President and COO, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer.
Cottle succeeds William C. Cottle, who retires as CEO of Associated Equipment but maintains his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Cottle was hired by Associated in 2007 as Vice President of Operations after working at several Fortune 500 high tech manufacturing companies in product development and international operations roles.
“Kim has been driving the day-to-day operations, product development and sales at Associated for the last several years,” said William Cottle, Chairman, “her success focusing on increasing our product mix based on our core strengths, high quality products especially US made; as well as increasing our presence in the OEM, industrial and export markets, has been key to position ourselves for continued growth. Promoting Kim into this new role is part of our succession strategy as a family business to solidify Associated’s long term commitment to growing our valued customer base.”
Associated Equipment Corporation designs and manufactures, in St. Louis, a full line of battery charging, testing and portable power solutions, as well as booster cables and clamps, for automotive, aircraft and recreational vehicle use for a worldwide customer base including the Intellamatic series. AEC designs, imports and quality assures product under ATEC brand with unique packaging targeting the commercial and jobber channels. AEC also designs and manufactures a full line of fume extractors, downdraft tables and ambient air cleaners for the welding industry under the Ace Industrial Products and WeldSense brands.
