March 18, 2023
William Disler, President and CEO at AFC-Holcroft, has announced that he is stepping down from the company, effective March 30, 2023.
As part of the departure news, the company also announced Tracy Dougherty and Ronald Waligora will share senior leadership responsibility for leading the company. Dougherty, formerly Vice President of Sales, has been named Chief Operating Officer for Sales, Applications, Marketing and Aftermarket Sales while Waligora, formerly Senior Engineering Manager, has been named Chief Operating Officer for Project Management, Engineering, Manufacturing and Field Services.
Disler said, “It has been an exciting and rewarding journey with AFC-Holcroft. It is hard to believe it started more than 35 years ago. Over the years I have had a chance to work with many incredible people and have made many friends.” He added, “I have every confidence that the new leadership will continue to guide the company in a good direction. We have brought together a stellar team, and I feel good that I am leaving the company in such capable hands, and that this company will continue its long history of excellence into the future. I am very proud of AFC-Holcroft and the people that have always worked so hard to make it such a great company.”
Disler started his career at the Holcroft Company in 1987 as an electrical engineer newly graduated from Lawrence Technical University, where he currently sits on the Advisory Board of the College of Engineering. His career included extensive international involvement, including living in Asia for more than 2 years coordinating furnace co-builds with multiple customers. He began to transition his way into engineering and sales roles, such as Manager of Advanced Controls and Far East Operations Manager, with a growing emphasis on international business, which eventually led to his senior positions at AFC-Holcroft. He traveled throughout more than 25 countries around the world while supporting sales, engineering, and manufacturing activities. After serving as the company’s Executive Vice President starting in 2005, he was named President and CEO of AFC-Holcroft in 2012.
Christian Grosspointner, CEO of Aichelin Group said, “I would like to offer my appreciation to Bill for his dedication to AFC-Holcroft over so many years. And to the new management team, I wish you great success as you lead the company forward.”
Disler concluded, “With our new management team in place, I can now take the time to enjoy other private and professional pursuits that I was unable to find time for. I will always support the AFC-Holcroft Team and plan to keep in touch as much as possible with my friends and colleagues. Thanks to everyone; employees, customers, partners, and friends who helped make my time at AFC-Holcroft so gratifying.”
About AFC-Holcroft
AFC-Holcroft, founded in 1916, is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial furnace systems used in the heat treatment of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The company has approximately 120 employees globally and has been part of the AICHELIN Group since 2016.
AFC-Holcroft produces high quality thermal processing equipment used in the production of metal components and provides related aftermarket service. Customers include both captive and commercial heat treaters who supply components to various industries such as automotive, heavy truck, industrial bearings and gears, railroad, fasteners, mining, aluminum heat treatment, and others. The company is headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, USA and has its own subsidiaries in China and Poland as well as a global partner network in Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Spain. www.afc-holcroft.com
About AICHELIN Group
As part of Berndorf AG, AICHELIN Group is a leading provider of heat treatment solutions, such as industrial furnaces, induction hardening plants, industrial gas burners systems, control and automation systems, industry-4.0 solutions as well as services. The AICHELIN headquarters are located in Mödling near Vienna. The company’s roots date back to 1868. The long-established brand AICHELIN, as well as AFC-Holcroft, EMA Indutec, SAFED, BOSIO, and NOXMAT, make up the group and together employ more than 1,200 people. AICHELIN Group ranges among the world’s top 3 heat treatment companies. AICHELIN’s subsidiaries in Europe are located in Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland; the worldwide presence of the company includes subsidiaries and branch offices in China, India, and the US, as well as a sales network in 22 more countries. www.aichelin.com
For more information:
Jill Ciszewski
Marketing Coordinator
AFC-Holcroft media@afc-holcroft.com