Kenworth has promoted two executives to new leadership positions within the company, according to a May 27 press release.
Peter Ahrens, who formerly served as the brand’s assistant general manager of operations, will become Kenworth general manager and Paccar VP, effective July 1. In his 15-year career at Paccar, he has held several positions including Paccar Parts product director, director of product marketing and managing director of Paccar subsidiary Leyland Trucks in the United Kingdom.
“As our industry continues to evolve, I look forward to working alongside our talented team to deliver exceptional products and forward-thinking solutions that meet our customers’ needs today and into the future,” Ahrens said in the press release.
Ahrens succeeds Jim Walenczak, who was appointed to the general manager position in January 2024.
Walenczak will become the president of Paccar’s DAF Trucks N.V., also effective July 1. He replaces 25-year company veteran Harald Seidel, who will retire on July 17.
“We sincerely thank Harald for his friendship, leadership, and significant contributions to the success of PACCAR and its customers,” said Paccar CEO Preston Feight, in a May 5 release.
Kenworth’s former Chief Engineer Joe Adams will succeed Ahrens as assistant general manager of operations. Adams has been with Paccar for more than two decades and has also held roles as the company’s director of purchasing, assistant chief engineer for North America embedded engineering and Kenworth assistant chief engineer for cab, electrical and outer body development.
