Thor announced it created a role of chief innovation officer within the country and hired a man with expertise in automotive and consumer products to fill the job.
Josef Hjelmaker, 43, will lead the company’s innovation strategies for emerging consumer and vehicular technologies, Thor announced. The chief innovation officer will play a critical part in the future success of the organization by optimizing and evolving the global product portfolio, leading operational technologies and advancements and championing digital strategies across the Thor family of operating companies.
“Josef has an impressive track record of bringing innovative consumer-centric product solutions to the market, which is a key component to our long-term strategy,” Thor President and CEO Bob Martin stated.
Hjelmaker’s experience includes numerous leadership roles in a 16-year career at Delphi Electronics & Safety (now Aptiv), focused on industry-leading product development in the safe, green and connected space. Most recently, Hjelmaker was the vice president global product organization at Whirlpool Corp. There he led the global cooking product development organization and focused on the development of smart technologies designed to enhance the consumer experience.
“Welcoming Josef to our leadership team is a monumental step toward Thor’s goal of continuing to lead the industry in innovation for years to come,” Martin stated. “His leadership and innovation mindset, combined with his ability to partner to advance the consumer experience, aligns perfectly with our global growth strategies.”
Hjelmaker becomes the fifth executive leader at Thor, joining Martin, Chief Financial Officer Colleen Zuhl, General Counsel W. Todd Woelfer and Senior VP of Administration and Human Resources Kenneth D. Julian.
“It is an honor to join the Thor team. I am extremely excited to be part of a team with exceptional focus on the consumer experience and drive for innovative solutions,” Hjelmaker stated. “Together with the talented Thor team and our valued partners, I am eager to harness the many developing technologies in our space in a way that maximizes the user experience for owners of Thor products as we fulfill our transformative purpose of connecting people with nature and each other.”
Hjelmaker started with the company the last week of September and he is based out of the corporate headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana.
