Griffiths, 52, who most recently served as president of the fluid systems division of Charlotte, NC-based technical products provider SPX Corp., plans to join Auburn Hills-based Champion Aug. 1. "Having successfully weathered a difficult downturn, Champion is well-positioned to benefit as the industry continues to improve," Griffiths says.

Griffiths succeeds Albert A. Koch, of Southfield consulting firm AlixPartners LLC, who has served as Champion's interim president, chief executive officer and chairman since June 2003. His firm handled complex turnarounds at companies including discount retailer Kmart, where Koch was chief financial officer. "I am very proud of what the people of Champion have accomplished by pulling together to achieve our shared goals during the past year," Koch says.

During Koch's time at Champion, the company closed four plants and 35 retail stores and eliminated the company's lending division. In September, it announced plans to cut about 1,000 jobs, or about 13% of Champion's work force. Selwyn Isakow, a Champion director since 1991, will become non-executive chairman when Griffiths joins the company.