Exide Technologies Names Sean Burke as Chief Information and Digital Officer

MILTON, Ga., 2016-03-04 20:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exide Technologies (www.exide.com), a global provider of stored electrical energy solutions, announces that Sean Burke has joined the Company as Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) effective March 1, 2016.  

Reporting to Vic Koelsch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Exide Technologies, Mr. Burke leads the Exide Technologies global Information Technology (IT) team, driving digitization of functional processes, customer integration and product offerings.  He is responsible for global infrastructure services including data centers, wide area networks, and the end user workplace environment and IT security.   In overseeing the Company’s enterprise applications, Mr. Burke will help to drive growth at Exide by implementing an effective digital experience across all business and customer/consumer touch points in each of Exide’s business segments.  Finally, Mr. Burke will work closely with the Company’s marketing teams around the world to develop disruptive, market-leading digital offers to accompany and add value to Exide’s stored energy solutions.

Mr. Burke has more than 20 years of experience in developing and implementing long-term business and IT strategies on a global basis.  He joins Exide Technologies from the Michelin Group, where he served from 2013 to 2016 as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), responsible for global infrastructure strategy and services.   Prior to Michelin, he served from 2009 to 2013 as Chief Technology Officer for LaFarge S.A., a $12 billion French industrial company specializing in cement, construction aggregates and concrete.  From 1999 to 2008, he served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the international pharmaceutical company Galderma S.A.  Earlier in his career, he served as Regional Projects Director and Associate Director for Bristol-Myers Squibb, and as a Geophysical Engineer for Geophysical Services Inc.  Mr. Burke holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons) in Physics from the University of Surrey, in the UK.      

“Sean has deep experience in using information technology to transform business processes, having provided leadership in a range of IT applications in corporate, research and development, manufacturing and commercial environments.  He brings to Exide a comprehensive global perspective on using IT as an enterprise enabler,” said Vic Koelsch, Exide’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “In making digitization a competitive advantage for The New Exide, Sean joins a highly motivated team of executives deeply committed to increasing our Company’s efficiency, agility and ability to deliver superior customer services and solutions.”

Mr. Burke is based at the Exide Technologies European Headquarters in Gennevilliers, France.

About Exide Technologies

Exide Technologies (www.exide.com) is a global provider of stored electrical energy solutions—batteries and associated equipment and services for transportation and industrial markets.  With 127 years of industry experience and operating in more than 80 countries, Exide produces and recycles a broad range of products that keep customers and their businesses powering forward. Leading car, truck and lift truck manufacturers trust Exide as an original equipment supplier, and Exide serves the transportation and industrial aftermarket through a comprehensive portfolio of products and services.  The Company’s extensive sales, distribution and service network provides flexibility and quality for an exceptional customer experience.

The Exide Transportation business manufactures and markets starting, deep-cycle, and micro-hybrid batteries for automotive, light and heavy-duty truck, agricultural, marine, military, powersport, and other specialty applications.  Exide serves the global transportation marketplace with successful and well-known product offerings and brands, along with battery diagnostic equipment and charging systems. 

Exide serves the Industrial Power markets with its GNB®-branded efficient energy storage systems for both Motive Power and Network Power customers. Motive Power applications include materials handling (power for lift trucks, airside assistance vehicles, and automatic guided vehicles); cleaning machines; railroads; military and mining vehicles; and other commercial electric vehicles. Network Powerinstallations include standby power for electric utilities; telecommunications systems; alarm/security systems; renewable energy systems; railway systems; uninterruptible power supply (UPS); and defense industry equipment.

Exide’s innovative technologies and advanced /premium products include Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) for start-stop and energy recuperation in automotive applications, along with flooded and VRLA (AGM and GEL) products, market leading motive power tubular products and smart charging systems for industrial applications.    

At Exide Technologies, It All Starts Now.  History and scale, combined with a start-up mentality, make Exide the faster, more nimble, more innovative, more digital, and more responsive alternative for customers who want more than simply a battery supplier.  Exide is “the 127 Year Old Start-Up”, and the Company is moving forward—bringing the energy of the “new Exide” to customers around the world.

MEDIA and INVESTOR CONTACTS: 
Jeannine Addams
Kristin Wohlleben
J. Addams & Partners, Inc.
404/231-1132 phone
jfaddams@jaddams.com
kwohlleben@jaddams.com