K&N Engineering names CEO
K&N Engineering has announced the hire of Craig Scanlon as chief executive officer. With an impressive background in the performance powersports and automotive industry, he brings experience and leadership to the role.
Throughout his professional career, Scanlon has demonstrated exceptional expertise in the field, having spent more than 20 years immersed in the performance powersports and automotive space. He spent 18 years at Polaris, where he played a pivotal role in building the businesses Polaris RZR and Polaris Ranger brands. His general management roles in both the Off-Road and On-Road divisions, as well as his tenure as the chief marketing officer, contributed significantly to the tremendous growth of Polaris.
During his four years as CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts (4 Wheel Parts), a renowned omni-channel leader in the performance truck and Jeep market, Scanlon spearheaded the successful turnaround and eventual sale of the company.
As the new CEO of K&N Engineering, his key areas of focus will include implementing transformational growth strategies, fostering high-performance teams with a strong culture of accountability and showcasing exceptional business acumen encompassing sales leadership, brands, operations, R&D, and financial management. Scanlon’s unwavering commitment to the customer and product development will further enhance K&N Engineering’s position in the industry.
Scanlon is a true performance-powersports enthusiast, with a passion for trucks, Jeeps, bikes and RZRs. His love for racing, particularly off-road racing, has seen him compete in events like the BITD and SCORE series, culminating in his recent victory at this year’s San Felipe 250.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join K&N,” Scanlon says. “Leading this iconic brand and amazing team into its next phase of growth is an amazing opportunity. This role combines two major passions of mine – the performance automotive and powersports aftermarket and growing businesses. K&N is uniquely positioned to grow thanks to the tremendous work of my predecessor, Randy Bays. We are all very thankful for his tenure at the K&N helm and for his future service on our board of directors. Our heritage and brand strength in automotive, along with our innovation in residential and commercial filtration, places K&N in a unique position with a tremendous opportunity to grow.”
Former CEO Randy Bays comments, “I have spent considerable time with Craig, and he is an excellent fit for K&N Engineering. His leadership skills and extensive experience make this transition seamless for me as I leave the company in such capable hands.”
K&N Engineering extends its sincere gratitude to Randy Bays for his invaluable leadership and dedicated service to K&N Engineering. Over the past 15 months, Bays has played a vital role in driving the business’s growth efforts and positioning it for future success. The K&N team expresses its deepest appreciation and will continue to benefit from Bays’ insight as he transitions to a board role.