Bell Names Kohler to Head Canada Operations

Bell Helicopter has promoted Barry Kohler, currently Bell’s vice president of Commercial Programmes, to president of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited. 

He succeeds Eric Cardinali, who has been named senior vice president of Integrated Supply Chain for Textron’s Cessna Aircraft Company.

Kohler will now be responsible for Bell Helicopter Canada’s manufacturing, engineering and flight test operations in Mirabel, Quebec, northwest of Montreal; a supply center in Calgary, Alberta, a warehouse facility near Mirabel in St. Jérôme and the 1,600 employees at those sites. Mirabel is final assembly site of the world’s newest helicopter, Bell’s light, twin-engine 429, which was certified for flight and delivered to its first customer last year.

"Barry’s leadership was instrumental in bringing the 429 to the market,” said Bell President and CEO John L. Garrison. “In Canada, he will ensure continuity towards operational excellence and build on the progress that Eric and his team have made.”

A native of Montreal, Kohler’s engineering, program management, aerospace and defense experience and progressive leadership roles span 25 years with top-tier companies. He joined Bell in June 2004. His “proven track record of customer focus, international business acumen and engineering and commercial program expertise will be a tremendous asset to Bell Helicopter Canada,” Garrison said.

At Wichita, Kan.-based Cessna, Cardinali will be responsible for worldwide operations. Garrison said, “Under Eric’s strong leadership, the Mirabel team delivered outstanding performance while aggressively responding to unprecedented economic conditions.” 

Cardinali took over Bell’s Canada operations in September 2008. He previously was vice president, Integrated Supply Chain at Textron’s E-Z-GO, a leading manufacturer of golf cars and utility vehicles. Cardinali’s leadership contributed to E-Z-GO being awarded The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence and named a 2009 IndustryWeek Best Plant in North America.  He has over 20 years experience in domestic and international manufacturing and sales.