ALPHARETTA, GA--Exide Technologies announced developments concerning the structural framework and strategies of the Company’s Global Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) organization. The changes include the planned formation of an Advanced Research and Development Organization and two Global Product Development Centers. The changes are designed to deliver greater collaboration among the operating divisions, more balance between short-term and long-term engineering contributions, and greater productivity.

An Advanced Research and Development organization will be established at Exide’s world headquarters in Alpharetta. Rick Johnson, who currently serves Exide as vice president, Engineering for Transportation Americas, will lead this group. Two Global Product Development centers, one in Büdingen, Germany for worldwide Industrial Energy and the other in Alpharetta, Georgia for worldwide Transportation, will focus on global product design and materials and process development. These centers will be oriented around product markets rather than geographical lines.