Paul Klasing to be new president of Sonepar USA

Industrial Distribution staff -- Industrial Distribution, 9/19/2008 10:57:00 AM

Paul Klasing will become president of Sonepar USA, effective January 1.

He will succeed Tony Burr who has been appointed to a new global role focusing on strategic initiatives for the Sonepar Group.

“I am pleased to have Paul as a member of our executive team,” says Frank Lakerveld, managing director and COO of Sonepar Group. “Paul’s experience will prove invaluable to our Sonepar USA operations. I am confident that the Sonepar USA operations will continue to thrive under his leadership.”

Klasing joined Sonepar on in 2008. Prior to Sonepar, he was executive vice-president at Advance Auto Parts, where he worked for 13 years.

Burr will support group activities related to strategic and synergy opportunities between Sonepar’s businesses around the world.

Hagemeyer North America will continue as a separate division from Sonepar USA, the company announced. Gabriel’s role as CEO of Hagemeyer North America and president of USA operations remains unchanged. Hagemeyer is a subsidiary of Sonepar. It is headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and operates more than 300 locations across the United States.

Sonepar ranked second on INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION’s 2008 Top 10 List of Electrical Distributors, with 2007 sales of $14.4 billion.