For Immediate Release

Ascential Technologies Collaborates with Norbert Kahr for EMEA Powertrain

Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 25, 2025 — Ascential Technologies, a leading global provider of automated diagnostic, inspection, assembly and test systems and services across a wide range of industries, has brought in Norbert Kahr to collaborate on driving sales for its propulsion and powertrain business, under the Burke Porter brand.

Kahr will lead strategic and long-term growth strategies, manage new business development opportunities, as well as foster and build strong customer connections and relationships in the automotive propulsion and powertrain sector with a keen focus on the European region.

“We are thrilled to have Norbert facilitating our European powertrain business, leveraging his extensive background in the automotive and automation industries and robust leadership expertise,” said Erin Dillard, CCO of Ascential Technologies for its transportation and industrial brands. “His entrepreneurial mindset and expertise in crafting innovative solutions and expanding market presence will be an invaluable asset to our team as he works to expand the company’s sales reach and drive performance.”

Kahr is the founder of VANILLA Automation, a technology start-up company that focuses on the development of innovative powertrain production concepts using mobile robots.

Prior to founding VANILLA Automation, Kahr was the managing director and global leader of the strategic powertrain business unit at PIA Automation, in which he supported the company’s growth and maturation. Similarly, he previously transformed M&R Automation into a global frontrunner in automation for powertrain production lines. He was a shareholder of M&R Automation, held multiple management positions within the global acting company group and successfully integrated M&R into PIA Automation Group during the post-merger integration phase. Throughout his career, he has gained significant leadership skills and engineering capabilities related to powertrain assembly and testing arenas, which align well with Ascential Technologies’ transportation offerings.

Kahr holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

About Ascential Technologies
Ascential Technologies, (formerly known as Burke Porter Group), designs, develops, and automates complex diagnostics, inspection and test processes across medical & life sciences, transportation, and test & measurement systems end markets. The company tackles customers’ most demanding, mission-critical challenges where the cost of failure is high. With more than 70 years of innovation experience, Ascential has a global presence and the expertise of more than 2,300 professionals across 40 locations, helping customers accelerate critical solution innovation, mitigate risk, drive competitive differentiation, and shorten time to market, at scale. The company’s uniqueness lies in its commitment to guiding customers through the entire product life cycle, from ideation to commercialization, where quality and safety matter most. Ascential’s customers include Fortune 100 leaders and disruptive innovators. Learn more at testandmeasure.ascentialtech.com. 

Editorial Contacts
Agency:
Brittney Popa
MBE Group on behalf of Ascential Technologies
231-675-1692
[email protected]

Mike Bleau
Industry Scope on behalf of Ascential Technologies
(810) 397-1429
[email protected]