BNET Industries

Market Cap:$2.3B
Last Fiscal Year Sales:$623.7M
  • Public
  • US
Dow Jones Description

Proprietary Electro-optical Products, Automobile Electro-chromic Mirrors, Photoelectric Smoke Detectors & Other Fire Protection Devices Mfr

Chairman & CEO
Fred Bauer
Number of Employees 2,279
Contact Information

600 N Centennial St

Zeeland, Michigan 49464-1318

www.gentex.com

(616) 772-1800

NAICS Code All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing: 336399

Recent Events

  • Dow Sliders Include BofA and Alcoa

    10/26/09 - Bond / Stock Rating - View Story

  • Analyst upgrades Gentex following strong 3Q report

    10/26/09 - Financial Announcement - View Story

  • Gentex GNTX Declares Qtr. Dividend of $0.11, Yielding 3.11%

    8/18/09 - Stock Split / Dividend - View Story

  • Second-quarter improvement sign of hope at Gentex Corp.

    7/23/09 - Financial Announcement - View Story

  • Stocks Moving Mostly Higher On Encourage Economic Data - U.S. Commentary

    6/19/09 - Bond / Stock Rating - View Story

  • Gentex Introduces New Carbon Monoxide Detector for Fire

    5/14/09 - Product Announcement - View Story

News & Analysis

gentex corp. - All News and Analysis

Decision Makers

Name (plus bio) Position
Steve Dykman CFO & Vice President, Finance
Garth Deur Executive Vice President
Enoch Jen Senior Vice President
Jim Hollars Senior Vice President, Intl
Mark Newton Senior Vice President-Electrical Engineering & Purchasing
Bill Tonar Vice President, Advanced Materials & Process Dev
Bruce Los Vice President, HR
Connie Hamblin Secretary & Vice President, IR & Comm
Dennis Alexejun Vice President, North American Automotive Marketing
John Arnold Vice President, Operations
John Carter Vice President, Engineering Mechanical
Robert Knapp Vice President-Electrical Engineering
Robert Vance Vice President, Business Dev, Japan
Scott Edwards Vice President, Fire Protection Prods
Tom Guarr Vice President, Chemical Res
Tom Ludema Vice President, Quality Assurance
Craig Piersma Director, Corp Communications

Board of Directors

Name (plus bio) Position
Fred Bauer Chairman & CEO
Arlyn Lanting Board of Directors
Frederick Sotok Board of Directors
Gary Goode Board of Directors
James Wallace Board of Directors
John Mulder Board of Directors
Kenneth La Grand Board of Directors
Rande Somma Board of Directors
Wallace Tsuha Board of Directors

Fred Bauer grew up in the Midwest. He graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a major in electrical engineering and a minor in business. At Michigan State, he was a member of Etta Kappa Knu, a collegiate honors fraternity. In the late 1960s, Bauer founded Simicon Company, a manufacturer of electronic control devices for heating and air conditioning products. He sold the company in 1972 to Robertshaw Controls, a major manufacturer of automatic control systems for buildings and appliances. Shortly thereafter, Bauer joined Robertshaw, where he held positions of division manager, corporate officer, and vice president. Bauer founded Gentex in 1974 to develop, manufacture and market photoelectric smoke detection devices. In 1982, the Company introduced the world's first electromechanical (motorized) auto-dimming mirror. Five years later, Fred and a team of research scientists and electrical engineers developed the world's first electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror. Bauer is currently Gentex's chairman and CEO. He was the 1998 recipient of Ernst & Young's Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is a former director of Junior Achievement in Holland/Zeeland, and a former advisory-board member for Underwriters Laboratories Industry Council. Bauer resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife and family.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Chairman & CEO Current
Gentex Holdings, Inc. President Current
Robert Shaw Vice President Former
Robert Shaw Division Manager Former
Robert Shaw Corporate Officer Former
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Former
Michigan State University Graduate Former

Steve Dykman is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Davenport College with an associate's degree in accounting, and earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Ferris State University. His career began with Price Waterhouse at their Battle Creek, Michigan, office, and he completed his public accounting work at Beene, Garter & Co. in Grand Rapids. Following his tenure in public accounting, he joined Gantos, Inc., as Corporate Tax Manager. He joined Gentex as Finance & Tax Manager in 1993, and served as the Company's Controller from 1995-2002. He is currently Treasurer and Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Steve is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. He resides in Hudsonville, Michigan, with his wife and two children.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation CFO & Vice President, Finance Current
Gentex Corporation Treasurer Former
Ferris State University bachelor's degree in accounting Former
Davenport College associate's degree in accounting Former

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Executive Vice President Current
Johnson Controls, Inc. Former
Arthur Andersen LLP Former
Prince Corporation Former
Grand Valley State University MBA Former
Calvin College bachelor of arts degree Former

Organization Position Status
Gentex International Corporation CFO Current
Gentex Corporation Senior Vice President Current
Gentex International Corporation Senior Vice President Former

Hollars came to Gentex with over 35 years of automotive experience, beginning at Chrysler Corporation followed by 26 years with Lear Corporation, including six years in Germany. His career at Lear included a number of senior positions, and most recently he was group vice president of the Premium Car Interiors Group, with responsibility for all activities with Audi, BMW, Daimler Chrysler and Porsche.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Senior Vice President, Intl Current
Lear Corporation NA Former
Chrysler Corporation NA Former

Mark Newton joined Gentex in 2004 after working as a Gentex supplier of optoelectronics for six years. He began his career in 1984 with a startup company that had invented an infrared touch computer interface, where he served in manufacturing engineering and manufacturing management positions in Illinois and Texas. Over the years, Newton has worked for several optoelectronics and automotive lighting companies in manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing and management positions. He brings over 22 years of manufacturing, engineering, sales and marketing experience in optoelectronics and automotive lighting to the Company. In addition to the area of photonics, Newton is responsible for Gentex's worldwide purchasing operations for both the automotive and fire protection divisions. He earned a bachelors degree in English at Eastern Illinois University and an associates degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Parkland College, and has pursued graduate coursework in business. He and his wife, Jean, have three children and reside in Holland, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Senior Vice President-Electrical Engineering & Purchasing Current
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Purchasing & Photonics Current

Bill Tonar joined Gentex in August of 1989 as Director of Applied Materials. Prior to joining Gentex , Bill had 15 years of experience developing and manufacturing Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD's). He started his career in 1974 at Hamlin Inc., Lake Mills, Wisconsin, a pioneer in the LCD field, and held various positions in process development and engineering management. He also worked as Manager of Research and Development for General Electric Display Products Operation of Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently as V.P. of R&D and Manufacturing Services for LXD, Inc., when it acquired GE's Display Products Operation. Bill has a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has two children and resides with his wife in the Holland area.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Advanced Materials & Process Dev Current
Lxd, Inc. V.P, R&D and Manufacturing Services Former
University of Wisconsin bachelor's degree in Chemistry Former

Bruce Los joined Gentex in 2004, bringing over 20 years of experience in human resource management to his role as Vice President of Human Resources. In 1977, he began his career at Prince Corporation (acquired by Johnson Controls, Inc., in 1996), serving in various leadership positions including Vice President of Human Resources for four years. Los holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Calvin College. He serves on many local volunteer boards. Bruce and his wife, Deb, reside in Holland, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, HR Current
Hospice of Holland, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Prince Corporation Vice President of Human Resources Former
Johnson Controls, Inc. Vice President of Human Resources Former
Twisthink Founder Former
Calvin College BA In Economics Former

Connie Hamblin is a native of Ionia, Michigan. At Gentex, she is responsible for overseeing corporate communications, including investor relations, public/media relations, advertising and automotive marketing support. Prior to joining Gentex in 1991, Hamblin was a senior account executive in investor relations at a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based public relations counseling firm for over six years. She also served five years in the public relations division of Ada, Michigan-based Amway Corporation. Hamblin received her bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University. She is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Automotive Analysts, the National Investor Relations Institute and the National Association of Corporate Directors. She resides in Holland, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Secretary & Vice President, IR & Comm Current
National Investor Relations Institute Member Current
Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. Member Current
Amway Corporation NA Former
Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. member Former
Grand Valley State University Bachelor of Science Degree Former

Dennis Alexejun was born in Menominee, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and performed his graduate studies at the University of Detroit. Alexejun is an automotive-industry veteran. He spent 17 years with the former automotive trim supplier Voplex, as well as eight years with Prince Corporation (which was subsequently purchased by Johnson Controls, Inc.), most recently as vice president of General Motors operations. Alexejun is currently Gentex's vice president of North American automotive marketing. In this capacity, he oversees the company's North American sales force and marketing efforts while managing customer relationships. He's also responsible for developing new strategies for advanced-feature EC mirrors and enhancing market penetration. He resides in Holland with his wife and three daughters.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, North American Automotive Marketing Current
Prince Corporation NA Former
Johnson Controls, Inc. Former
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Graduate Studies Former
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law bachelor's degree in Business Administration Former
Michigan State University Bachelor's Degree In Business Administration Former

John Arnold received his bachelor's degree in materials science from General Motors Institute, and his master's degree in engineering management from the University of Detroit. John came to Gentex after 14 years at Prince Corporation/Johnson Controls in various quality, program and plant management positions. Most recently, he served as Vice President and General Manager of JCI's Interiors Division. Prior to his employment at Prince/JCI, John was Vice President - Engineering & Operations at automotive supplier AutoStyle Plastics, Inc. John began his career in advanced process development and manufacturing leadership at General Motors Corporation, where he served for 15 years. John enjoys boating and car restoration. He resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife and son.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Operations Current
General Motors Corporation Former
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law master's degree in engineering management Former

John Carter, a Michigan native, attended U.S.A.F. University of Wisconsin and graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He spent 14 years with Prince Corporation (now Johnson Controls, Inc.), a supplier of automotive trim systems, in a variety of engineering management positions, including director of engineering in the company's automotive products group. Carter then spent 10 years with Donnelly Corporation, a supplier of automotive trim systems, rising to the position of vice president, engineering USA and international. At Donnelly, John directed the company's Molded Windows operation. Carter also spent several years running CS Technology, a plastic molding and tooling operation in Cedar Springs, Michigan. While president, the company's combined operations grew 200% in just two years. He also co-founded Pyramid Incorporated, a meat processor/manufacturer founded 1993. In 1997, the company name changed to Quincy Street Inc. John served on the Board thru 2001. His present position is as a shareholder. Today, Carter directs Gentex's mechanical engineering operations, overseeing the company's various mirror programs as well as new product development. Carter and his family reside in Holland, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Engineering Mechanical Current
The Pyramid Co Co-Founder Current
Donnelly Corporation Vice President, Engineering USA and International Former
Prince Corporation Board of Directors Former
Western Michigan University Degree In Mechanical Engineering Former

Robert Knapp joined Gentex 14 years ago, and has served in a variety of managerial positions in the Electrical Engineering department. He currently leads the development of advanced-feature auto-dimming mirrors and new electronic technologies. He is also responsible for developing testing equipment technology to assure manufacturing quality and excellence. Robert began his career developing products for Heath/Zenith Company, where he held various position over a 16-year period. He also spent four years at Electro-Voice as Chief Engineer, developing professional audio products. Robert received both his bachelor's and master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University. Robert is a member of Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering honor society, IEEE Society, and a Registered Professional Engineer with the State of Michigan. Robert is a member of the board of directors for the East Branch Non Profit Corporation. He resides in Coloma, Michigan with his wife, and has a married daughter.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President-Electrical Engineering Current
Michigan State University Master Degree In Electrical Engineering Former
Michigan State University bachelor's and master's degree in Electrical Engineering Former

Robert Vance is the Vice president of Asian Business Development. He is responsible for the support and development of strategies to grow and manage the Company’s business with Asian automakers. A native of Pennsylvania, Vance has lived in several parts of the United States, Japan, and England. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Foreign Languages from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and he is conversant in Japanese, German, and Spanish. Vance attended graduate school at Meiji Gaukuin University in Japan where he focused on Japanese language as well as international business and economics. Prior to his arrival at Gentex, Vance worked for Johnson Controls, Inc. for over ten years. He has a background in finance, program management, sales, and business management. He is an active member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Vance resides in Grand Haven, Michigan, with his wife, Lori, and two sons.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Business Dev, Japan Current
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Active Member Current
Johnson Controls, Inc. NA Former
Hope College Undergraduate Degree In Business Administration Former
Hope College degree in Business Administration and Foreign Languages Former

Scott Edwards, a 20-year veteran and vice president of Gentex Fire Protection Products Group, is responsible for strategic and business planning, marketing, engineering, sales, and customer and field service operations. Prior to this position, Edwards was the Business Unit Manager of the Fire Protection Products Group. He received his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State College and his master's degree in management from Aquinas College. Edwards is a member of the Technical Committee of the National Fire Protection Association; member of the International Fire Code and International Code Council; member of the Standards Committee of the Building Owners and Managers Association; and serves on the Underwriters Laboratories Standards-Making Panel for Signaling Appliances. He is a past board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation; past chairman of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Signaling and Communications Section; and a past board member of the Automatic Fire Alarm Association. Edwards is a member of the National Association of State Fire Marshals; the International Code Council; the Southern Building Code Congress International; the International Conference of Building Officials; the Building Owners and Mangers Association; the Automatic Fire Alarm Association; the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, and the National Fire Protection Association. Edwards and his wife, Barbara, reside in Hudsonville, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Fire Protection Prods Current
International Code Council, Inc Member Current
National Electrical Manufacturers Association Chairman Former
Aquinas College Master's Degree In Management Former

Tom Guarr leads Gentex's Synthetic Chemistry Group and indirectly supervises the Analytical Chemistry Group. He's responsible for devising and implementing corporate strategy in chemistry, evaluating competitive technologies and intellectual property, and consulting in licensing negotiations. Tom has served in a variety of chemical development and research positions at Gentex, going back to 1994. Prior to joining Gentex, he held various teaching and research positions at a number of leading universities, including Iowa State University, The University of Rochester, California Institute of Technology, and the University of Kentucky. Tom received his bachelor's degree from Benedictine College, and his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. Tom has numerous patents and published technical papers to his credit. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, Electrochemical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He and his wife and three children reside in Holland, Michigan.

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Chemical Res Current
University of Rochester master's degree and Ph Former
Benedictine College bachelor's degree Former

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Vice President, Quality Assurance Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Director, Corp Communications Current
Gentex International Corporation Director, Corp Comm Former

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Gentex Corporation Board of Directors Current
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     GNTX $16.70 -0.03 (-0.18% )
Average Volume 1,190,440
Shares Outstanding 137.84M
Market Cap 2.3B
Year High 17.83
Year Low 6.5
Earnings Per Share 0.18
P/E Ratio 92.78
Dividend 0.44
Yield 2.63
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