Cloyes Gear & Products has hired John Hanighen as CEO, effective immediately.
Fort Smith, Arkansas-based Cloyes is a global leader in the design, development, manufacturing and distribution of timing-drive systems and components for replacement applications in the automotive aftermarket and high-performance racing segment.
Cloyes, which celebrates its centennial next year, is backed by the private-equity firm Hidden Harbor Capital Partners.
Prior to Cloyes, Hanighen served as global aftermarket director and CEO of Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers for Ford Motor Co. His responsibilities included strategic development and vision for the global automotive aftermarket as well as for sales growth and profitability of Ford products including Ford OE product, Motorcraft and the new Omnicraft brand.
Hanighen also was responsible for establishing new and lasting aftermarket relationships, while driving Ford Brand recognition and demand through the development of new sales and marketing programs.
“We are very excited to have John join the team at Cloyes,” said Chris Paldino, managing partner at Hidden Harbor. “John is a proven leader, a strong communicator and is well-respected within the auto aftermarket industry. When we partnered with the Cloyes management team, our goal was to accelerate growth while continuing to deliver industry-leading quality and customer service With the addition of John, we know the company is well-positioned to continue executing on this growth strategy and to more aggressively capitalize on Cloyes’ premium leadership position in automotive aftermarket timing systems.”
Hanighen holds an MBA from Xavier University and will be relocating to Fort Smith from Novi, Michigan, with his wife.
