Reedsburg, Wisc. – For Immediate Release
Columbia is pleased to announce the promotion of Simeon Vandezande from Project Engineer to Product Engineering Manager. In this capacity, Mr. Vandezande will be responsible for overseeing engineering activities related to Columbia's products and their creation. He will also be responsible for maintaining continuous improvement. Mr. Vandezande will report to Scott Breckley, Columbia's Chief Operating Officer.
Scott Breckley commented on Mr. Vandezande's promotion, saying, "Simeon’s proven ability to bring innovative solutions to product development as Columbia expands its engineering capabilities will support the next phase our company’s growth as a leader in purpose-built electric vehicles."
Mr. Vandezande's biggest goal in his new position is to implement a documented design/development process and use it to improve time from concept to implementation.
Before his new position at Columbia, Mr. Vandezande spent five years as a project engineer, where he was responsible for creating and implementing the design of new products as well as improving current products. Mr. Vandezande began his time with Nordic Group at sister company Seats, Inc., where he worked as a mechanical engineer from June 2008 to February 2009. Before his employment at Seats, Mr. Vandezande interned at Manitowoc Ice (Manitowoc, WI) in the engineering test lab, where he conducted new product verification testing. He also Co-Op'ed at Curwood (Bemis North America) (Oshkosh, WI), designing and implementing various machine upgrades. Mr. Vandezande graduated from University of Wisconsin - Platteville (Platteville, WI) with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Simeon Vandezande lives in south central Wisconsin with his wife and two children.
About Columbia ParCar Corp.
Based in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Columbia is a premier electric vehicle manufacturer whose history dates back to 1946. Columbia has one of the most expansive electric vehicle product line- ups in the world. Vehicles for private use and commercial applications include the efficiency gaining, stand & ride ChariotTM, the EagleTM Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, and the MegaTM Low Speed Utility Vehicle. For more information visit www.parcar.com.
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a member of Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd. Nordic Group (headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin) is a privately-held holding company consisting of subsidiaries with 22 facilities, and 24 marketing units around the world with over 2,400 associates. Nordic Group member companies manufacture and distribute plastic, seating and transportation products worldwide for industrial, commercial and consumer markets. For more information or catalog, write Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd., 715 Lynn Avenue, Suite 100, Baraboo, WI 53913 USA or visit www.nordicgroup.com.
