BILL PLENDER has been promoted to senior manager for production control at Komatsu UK, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
The 41-year-old, from Washington, Wearside, has worked at some of the region's top manufacturing companies, including AEI Cables, Dunlop Armaline, Formica and Viasystems, before joining Komatsu.
He joined as production control manager in 1999.
He will continue maintaining production control, but with the additional responsibility of the company's long-term development schedule, looking specifically at cost controls for new models.
Mr Plender, who will report to deputy managing director, Tomoyoshi Nishikawa, said: "I have worked at Komatsu for a number of years now, and am delighted that I am able to progress my career to a more senior level.
"What I am most looking forward to is being involved earlier on in the development and control of new models, overseeing the process through from the initial development schedule to the delivery of the first machine."
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