CHESTER, NOVA SCOTIA — GN Thermoforming Equipment officials say Georg Nemeskeri has stepped away from active involvement with the company he founded 34 years ago and a career in the plastics industry dating back to 1969.
The move comes in the wake of his April 1 arrest for child pornography-related charges.
Company officials acknowledged that Bruce Kelley, formerly GN's general manager, took over as president on April 9. They stressed that GN is moving ahead under new leadership, and that the company's 100 jobs are secure.
“Georg remains the primary shareholder of the company and may have some minimal design feedback with regard to existing products, however for all intents and purposes, he has stepped away from any direct involvement with day-to-day operations,” company officials wrote in an emailed response to questions from Plastics News.
“This leadership shift will have no impact to GN Thermoforming Equipment, its employees or its valued customers, as Bruce was in effect already leading the operation with very little input from Georg,” the company said.
Bruce Kelley, according to the statement, first began working with GN in 2009 when he consulted with the company on its strategic plan. In 2012 he joined the company as general manager, responsible for all company operations, globally.
“Prior to joining GN, Bruce consulted with small and medium businesses, primarily in the areas of strategy and marketing,” GN said. Kelley's LinkedIn profile indicates that he spent 28 years working for telecommunications company, Bell Aliant, before becoming an independent consultant.
“Succession planning is an important part of long-term business sustainability,” GN said. “This is no different for GN, as we continue to supply world-leading products, service and innovation to the plastics industry.
“Bruce Kelley, in his function as general manager, was already effectively and actively leading GN Thermoforming Equipment's business and is therefore the natural choice to continue to head the company as president,” because, company officials wrote, Nemeskeri's “day-to-day involvement in the operational functions of GN Thermoforming Equipment over the last several years has been winding down.”
GN also noted that the company anticipates within the coming weeks the launch of a new product, has “added a number of positions in the past year and [is] actively recruiting for additional personnel.” A job opportunity for a machine design engineer is currently posted on the GN web site.
Nemeskeri, 71, was arrested without incident on April 1 by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after executing a search warrant at his home. Nemeskeri was conditionally released from custody until a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 7.