TFS To Become Acument Global Technologies

Jason Sandefur

Textron Fastening Systems will change its name later this fall to Acument Global Technologies, “reflecting its new beginning and strategic direction as a stand-alone company,” the company stated. \TFS was acquired by Beverly Hills-based Platinum Equity on Aug. 11, 2006, in a deal worth a reported $673 million plus assumption of certain debt.
TFS officially will adopt its new Acument brand name in the coming weeks, after completing its branding preparations and obtaining legal clearances in the 16 countries in which it operates.
“”Our new name and logo are clear, dynamic representations of a 21st century industrial company with the technology resources to bring value-added design and assembly solutions to our global customers,” declared TFS president Rick Clayton. “We will leverage our new name as the foundation for revitalizing and strengthening our product brands and the values they represent. Doing this will help align our business closer to the needs and interests of our customers.”
The new Acument “incorporates a bold, stylized letter “a” in the color red that mimics the swirling path of a fastener being installed,” according to TFS. Troy, MI-based TFS said it conducted interviews with “customers, employees, and other constituents” in developing the logo.
Joseph Gray was named interim CEO at Textron Fastening Systems, replacing three-year top executive Rick Clayton.
Having completed its deal to become part of Beverly Hills-based Platinum Equity, TFS is in the process of rebranding itself as Acument Global Technologies.
With the reorganization plan in place and the company preparing to re-launch under its new brand name, Clayton said the time was right for him to pursue other opportunities.
“Rick Clayton played an important role in leading Textron Fastening Systems over the past three years,” commented Gray. “He successfully steered the business through our company”s recent divestiture, and helped plan its reorganization as a stand-alone business.”
Gray has served as TFS vice president responsible for global integrated supply chain management. Before that, he was vice president for integrated supply chain at Textron”s Fluid & Power division. His career has included senior leadership positions at the GDX Automotive unit of GenCorp, Bosch, Peregrine Inc., AlliedSignal Braking Systems and Kelsey-Hayes. �2006 FastenerNews.com