Gleason Corporation, a global leader in gear technology and manufacturing solutions, has appointed Bijal Thakkar as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective July 6, 2026. The appointment marks an important step in the company’s leadership strategy as it continues to strengthen its global operations and accelerate long-term business growth In her new role, Ms Thakkar will oversee the company’s worldwide operations and work closely with the executive leadership team to drive operational excellence, innovation and customer-focused growth across Gleason’s global businesses.
Announcing the appointment, John J Perrotti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gleason Corporation, said, “Bijal brings extensive international leadership experience, deep operational expertise and a strong track record of delivering business growth across global manufacturing organisations. Her strategic perspective and customer-centric approach will further strengthen Gleason’s position as a technology leader and support our continued expansion in key industrial markets.”
Responding to her appointment, Bijal Thakkar said, “I am honoured to join Gleason as President and Chief Operating Officer. The company has built an exceptional reputation for engineering excellence, innovation and customer commitment over many decades. I look forward to working with teams across the world to build on this strong foundation, create greater value for customers and advance the company’s long-term strategic priorities.”
Ms Thakkar brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning strategy, business development and operations across multinational manufacturing companies. Before joining Gleason, she served as Vice President and General Manager of a major business division at TE Connectivity. During her career, she has also held senior leadership positions at Trane Technologies, Johnson Controls, Siemens and General Electric, where she led business transformation initiatives, commercial growth programmes and operational improvements across diverse industrial sectors.
Her appointment reflects Gleason’s continued focus on strengthening leadership capabilities while responding to evolving customer requirements in advanced manufacturing and industrial automation. Gleason is recognised globally for its comprehensive portfolio of gear technology solutions. The company’s offerings span gear and transmission design software, gear manufacturing systems, cutting tools, metrology equipment, automation solutions and production services. Its technologies support manufacturers across a wide range of industries, including automotive, commercial vehicles, aerospace, agriculture, construction, marine, energy, robotics, power tools and industrial machinery.
Headquartered in the United States, Gleason operates manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, Asia and South America, including India, while maintaining an extensive global network of sales and service centres. With the appointment of Bijal Thakkar, the company aims to further enhance its leadership position by driving innovation, operational excellence and customer success across international markets.
