Grote Industries names John Grote COO as family members take full ownership

Madison, Ind.-based Grote Industries Inc. has named John Grote chief operating officer after he, CEO and President Dominic Grote and Asia General Manager Mike Grote recently acquired 100 percent of the company.

"I am thrilled to be named as the COO of Grote Industries and look forward to helping us achieve this new vision for the company," said John Grote in a news release. "Our true purpose is to not only support the communities we're in but also to help make the world a safer place.

"The world is changing fast, and we're getting ready for that change by implementing many things to drive future growth and transition to new technologies and opportunities," he added. "I'm excited to see the impact we have on this industry."

As COO, John Grote will lead global business operations in North America, Europe and Asia to "help bring greater focus to the operational performance of the entire business," the release said.

John has worked for Grote Industries for 23 years as marketing manager, Grote's first managing director of Grote Europe and as global vice president of sales and marketing.

"We believe this expanded vision bonds the Grote team with our customers and looks toward the future on the things that can make their businesses more profitable by being safer," Dominic Grote said in the release.

"Being a fourth-generation family business, the statistics aren't typically in the favor of businesses going from generation to generation," Dominic said. "But we've taken many steps over the last couple of generations to do the right things for the business."

"We are investing for the future," Mike Grote said. "We see an ever-expanding opportunity globally in areas such as telematics, electric vehicles and autonomous driving where our key capabilities and technologies can be leveraged and pay off for our customers."

Bill Grote, chairman of the board and former CEO, and Buzz Grote, another family member, will continue to serve on the company's board of directors "as the third generation hands the reigns over to the fourth-generation leaders," the release said.

"We are happy to see our sons continue the growth of what our grandfather started back in 1901," Bill Grote said. "We've worked hard to be good at change and are excited about all the changes to come."

Grote Industries develops and manufactures visibility and safety systems for the on-highway, off-highway and trailer body builder markets. Its products include vehicle lighting, electrical and reflective systems and accessories. The company supplies international customers with locations in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia, employing more than 1,500 people globally.