Separator maker Microporous has hired Antonio Abriola as director of engineering at its headquarters in Piney Flats, US.
Abriola will manage a team of engineers at the Tennessee headquarters, engineering activities at the plant as well as new projects in the US and Microporous’ Austrian facility in Feistritz.
Abriola has 30 years of experience in industrial engineering, 20 years of it in the battery separator industry. Prior to joining Microporous Antonio, was working as a consultant to separator manufacturers. In the past, Antonio has directly worked for Daramic and other separator manufacturers.
“With the hiring of Antonio Abriola, we get the needed experience and skills, which further increases our technical leadership and will allow smooth execution of our growth plans,” said Microporous vice president of operations Peter Gaugl.
Gaugl added that strengthening and developing manufacturing processes as well as improving overall productivity and product quality are the major long-term commitments of the company.
“Through continually refining and improving all interfaces between equipment and process capability, we will be able to deliver an even better product to our customers,” said Abriola.
The company’s separators are used by lead-acid battery manufacturers for applications such as golf car batteries, forklift batteries, standby power and starting lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries for automobiles and trucks.
Microporous was re-established as an independent company in December last year after previously partnering with one of its competitors.