Ayer has succeeded Val Hollingsworth, who is stepping down as CEO of the advanced materials company after 24 years. Hollingsworth will continue as chair of the H&V board.
“We are delighted to be able to turn to Josh to lead H&V in our next chapter of growth and development,” said Hollingsworth. “He has been an outstanding leader in his years at H&V and will do a great job as CEO. H&V has had several non-Hollingsworth family CEOs in its long history, and we are proud that there are seventh-generation members of our family working for H&V.”
Ayer joined H&V in 2009 as vice president and managing director of the Asia Pacific region, following 10 years at General Electric. He helped lead the development and growth of H&V’s business in Asia. In 2015, Ayer was appointed president of the Engine and Industrial Filtration Division, and in 2020, he became vice president and managing director of H&V’s Americas region.
“I am excited about H&V’s future and my new role with the company. It is an amazing opportunity to help lead a truly innovative company as it moves forward,” said Ayer.
A sixth-generation member of the Hollingsworth family, Val Hollingsworth joined the company in 1976 working as a night shift supervisor and a production and plant manager. He became president in 1997 and CEO in 1998. Under his leadership, H&V became a global company with 13 R&D and manufacturing facilities in strategic locations across three continents.
“This has been an incredible journey for all of us at H&V,” said Hollingsworth. “But despite our near 300-year history, H&V has always been a forward-looking company. Josh and I both believe H&V is well positioned for the future and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Family-owned for seven generations, H&V is headquartered in East Walpole, Massachusetts, USA.
