Brooks Automation announces new head of factory automation division
Brooks Automation (NASDAQ:BRKS) announced today that Jim Pelusi, Senior Vice President of Brooks' Factory Automation Division, will begin a leave of absence from Brooks Automation, effective in early July. Jim has been with FASTech and Brooks for 15 years and has expressed a desire to evaluate new start-up opportunities. "Being an experienced entrepreneur myself, I can appreciate Jim's interest in looking at new opportunities," said Robert J. Therrien, President and CEO of Brooks. "In addition to these external opportunities, Jim and I will continue to discuss the possibility of a new role within Brooks. Jim has been instrumental in growing Brooks' Factory Automation Software business from zero in Fiscal 1998 to a Fiscal 2001 run rate exceeding $130M. Brooks has achieved this growth through the acquisition and the internal growth of "Best-in-Class" software companies, products and people."
Jeff Cassis, currently the Vice President of Global Sales and Services, will take-over as the Senior Vice President of the Factory Automation Division effective June 4th. Jeff has over 22 years direct experience in factory automation, the last nine years with FASTech and Brooks. He has led the integration of the direct sales, service, and support organizations from the 13 end-user business units Brooks has acquired since the Fall of 1998. His leadership has forged a world-class organization with over 300 account managers, technical support engineers, consultants, marketing, and application engineers. Jeff was the former General Manager of FASTech Integration with prior management positions at Intellution, Analog Devices, Foxboro Company, and Camp Dresser and McKee. During this transition period, Jim will continue to work with Jeff to ensure that product development plans and customer commitments continue without interruption.
"I am excited about leading our Factory Automation team at this milestone in Brooks' history," said Jeff Cassis. "I have seen first hand the value our customers realize in choosing Brooks solutions for their automation needs. I understand the synergies within Brooks that arise when we add more applications to our growing end-user portfolio. I appreciate the talented individuals that have come to us through our focused acquisition strategy, talent that would be very difficult to find in this job market. I am pleased that the integration of our newly acquired software companies has worked as well as it has under the leadership of Bob Therrien and his Senior Staff. I look forward to the challenges and the opportunities ahead."
Mr. Therrien continued, "We are fortunate to have a very deep management team in the software Factory Automation Division and I am confident that this team will continue to grow the software business and successfully execute on our strategy. All of us at Brooks wish Jim well in his new pursuits and welcome Jeff in his expanded role."
Brooks Automation, Inc.
Brooks Automation, Inc. is the leading global supplier of OEM tool automation and factory management software for the semiconductor, data storage and flat panel display manufacturing industries. As an established market leader in hardware and software automation, Brooks continues to pioneer "Best-in-Class" technologies that outperform their competitors - from vacuum and atmospheric robots, cluster tool platforms and modules, ultra-clean mini-environments for isolating processing equipment and wafers - to factory and tool automation software and integration services. Both OEM and fab customers leverage Brooks Automation's products and environments. The Company has ISO 9001 certification, is headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass. and has direct operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Brooks' web-site is www.brooks.com.
Source: Brooks Automation, Inc.