September 17, 2007 -- Anixter International Inc. announced that Robert Eck has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president - chief operating officer, and that Dennis Letham has been promoted to the position of executive vice president - finance and chief financial officer.
Mr. Eck, age 49, has been with the company's operating subsidiary, Anixter Inc., for 17 years in a variety of staff and commercial positions. His most recent position, held since 2004, was executive vice president - enterprise cabling and security solutions. In this role, the company notes that Eck oversaw annual sales growth specific to this end market of approximately 16 percent, including significant growth from the company's initiative to develop its security products business. Eck's previous key positions with the company include senior vice president - physical security products and integrated supply (2003) and senior vice president - integrated supply solutions (2002).
Mr. Letham, age 56, has been with Anixter for the past 14 years and has served as senior vice president - finance and chief financial officer for the past 12 years. During this time he has overseen the finance, accounting, tax, internal audit and legal activities of the company.
Commenting on these appointments, Robert Grubbs, president and CEO of Anixter, commented, "The creation of the chief operating officer position is a result of the company's rapid growth over the past few years. We feel Bob Eck's strong track record at Anixter has proven that he possesses the qualities and experience necessary to support our continued success. Over the past year, Mr. Letham has taken on added responsibilities outside of the finance and accounting areas, most notably in human resources. His promotion reflects the added duties he has assumed."
Sam Zell, chairman of the board for Anixter, commented, "Over the past four years sales at Anixter have more than doubled. Included in this growth has been a series of acquisitions in the North American and European OEM Supply marketplace, which now generates in excess of $1 billion in annual sales for the company. This rapid growth and diversification of end markets has brought new organizational challenges and complexity. These executive management changes reflect the board's desire to ensure there is sufficient depth and breadth to the management team in order for the cvompany to continue to execute effectively on all of its growth strategies."
