He is also CEO and president of Chicago-based Globe Union Group Inc. Werner has 15 years of experience in the building trades industry.
Also, Gerber has added eight members to its sales management team and two marketing professionals to its staff.
Jeff Pratt is now Gerber's vice president of sales and will also continue as vice president of sales for Globe Union. He has 25 years of sales management experience, including eight years as vice president of sales and marketing at Sunco, a manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinetry.
Ken James, national sales manager, is a 40-year veteran of the plumbing industry. His previous positions include vice president at Moen, vice president at In-Sink-Erator, director of sales at Price Pfister and, most recently, president of Sayco/Briggs. Also, he owned and operated Sales Support Inc., a California manufacturers rep agency, for 12 years.
Five U.S. regional directors will work closely with Gerber's national manufacturers rep network to serve its wholesale customers.
Both Pratt and James are currently jointly responsible for the northeast region.
MJ (Mutt) Davis will handle the southern region. His 40 years of plumbing and sales experience include positions with Price Pfister, American Shower & Bath, and Briggs.
Jim Wilmsen now handles the southwest region. He has 23 years of plumbing industry experience at Geberit, American Consumer Products, Kirkhill Inc., and Randall Manufacturing.
Jim Darryl Wint, new southwestern regional director, has 33 years of plumbing industry experience at Briggs, Western Pottery, Sterling, US Brass and Moen.
Mike Vinik, who is handling the midwest region, spent seven years at Eljer as a district sales manager and seven years at Gerber as regional and then national sales manager. Vinik will also serve in a dual role as national sales manager/commercial products.
Eric Peterson, northwest regional director, has 14 years of plumbing industry experience at Price Pfister, Geberit and Oatey. He also serves in a dual role as national sales manager/builder services.
Robert Perry has been named Gerber's vice president/sales for Canada. For the past three years, Perry held a similar position for Globe Union Canada. Prior to that, he was with Crane Canada where he was vice president of sales and marketing for both Canada and the United States for five years. He also spent seven years with Spar Group.
Yvan Legault recently joined the Gerber sales team after spending five years as regional sales manager/Eastern Canada for MAAX. Prior to that, he was with Crane Canada for 10 years. Legault will be responsible for the Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada.
Gerber said it will be strengthening its focus on commercial markets and builders services with the appointments of Vinik and Peterson, respectively, as national sales managers for those segments. Their efforts will be aided by two experienced marketing professionals.
Victor Post will serve as product development manager/vitreous china and will support Gerber's builders' services marketing programs. His experience includes senior level sales and product development positions at several companies including Porter Cable, Kohler and Nokia.
Tony Lett will serve as product development manager/commercial products.
Lett, a 31-year industry veteran, has experience in senior level sales and product development positions at Geberit and Kohler.
Post and Lett will work closely with Kevin McJoynt, Gerber's director of marketing.
Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has been a successful family-owned business for the past 71 years, according to the company. Its transaction with Globe Union involved the creation of a new company, with Globe Union as the majority owner. Gerber family members retained a significant ownership share. Ila Lewis, granddaughter of company founder Max Gerber, continues as chairman and remains active in daily operations, the company said.
