Thomas Fansler to Lead Trimble Division That Includes PeopleNet
Trimble has promoted Thomas Fansler to president of its global Transportation Mobility division, which includes PeopleNet and several other technology suppliers serving the trucking industry.
Fansler previously was president of Trimble Transportation Analytics.
In his new role, he reports directly to Trimble CEO Steven Berglund.
Fansler
“The continued evolution of technology is rapidly changing all aspects of the transportation industry — connecting trucks, drivers and assets more efficiently than ever before,” Fansler said. “I am excited to lead our global efforts to extend our analytics, data and mobility solutions to help fleets become better, safer and greener.”
Fansler succeeds Brian McLaughlin, who recently departed PeopleNet and Trimble to become CEO of IPR Inc., a provider of connected technology for the security industry.
McLaughlin, who joined PeopleNet in 2001, “was an integral part of our growth for the past 17 years,” Fansler said.
In addition to PeopleNet, Trimble’s Transportation Mobility division includes Innovative Software Engineering, Trimble Oil & Gas Services, Trimble Final Mile Mobility, Trimble Mobility Solutions India and Trimble Transport & Logistics in Europe, as well as several startup initiatives.
Trimble also owns transportation software companies TMW Systems, ALK Technologies and 10-4 Systems, which belong to the company’s Transportation Enterprise division led by Dave Wangler.
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Trimble, a global provider of GPS and other technologies, began its push into the North American trucking sector with its 2011 purchase of PeopleNet, followed in subsequent years by a spate of other acquisitions in the industry.
Fansler said he will focus on further opportunities for Trimble’s various businesses to combine their capabilities.
“I’m so excited about the possibilities of bringing together the different pieces,” he said. “For me, the priority is executing on the potential, because I think the potential is really remarkable.”
As an example, he pointed to Trimble’s predictive maintenance application announced last year, which combines data science and machine learning with the company’s maintenance software to help fleets better manage their equipment.
Fansler said Trimble also plans to support technological advances within trucking, such as the use of blockchain technology and the move toward automated driving.
At the same time, Trimble remains open to further acquisitions, Fansler said. “That will be part of our playbook. It has been and will continue to be.”
Fansler joined PeopleNet in 2009 as the founder of Vusion, a startup division focused on data analytics and regulatory compliance. Vusion later became Trimble Transportation Analytics. Fansler also was previously executive vice president of product at PeopleNet.
Prior to joining PeopleNet, Fansler was co-founder and managing partner at fuel-tax services provider Inter-Tax Inc., which was purchased by Comdata Corp. in 2007.
Fansler has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He also has served on the board of directors for the Truckload Carriers Association.
Trimble also announced two other executive appointments.
Rodi (left) and Coyne
The company named Jim Rodi general manager of the Mobility division’s global markets, which include the company’s OEM/Channels and Video Intelligence segments, as well as Trimble Mobility Solutions India.
Trimble also named Bryan Coyne general manager of Transportation Mobility North America.
Rodi and Coyne report to Fansler in their new roles.
“As we expand our global footprint, these moves help to increase our focus on growth and operational efficiency,” Fansler said.
