Leading Tier 1 Automotive Supply Executive Donnie Hampton, Jr. Joins Company
GEELONG, Australia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carbon Revolution plc (Nasdaq: CREV) (the “Company”), a Tier 1 automotive supplier and the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative, lightweight carbon fiber wheels, announced today that industry veteran Donnie Hampton, Jr. has joined the Company as Acting Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors.
With more than three decades of experience leading and working with a range of Tier 1 automotive suppliers, Mr. Hampton brings his deep executive and operational expertise to Carbon Revolution as the Company realizes the full industrialization of its plant in Geelong, Australia.
“Donnie knows wheels,” Bob Lutz, Chairman of the Carbon Revolution Board of Directors, said. “His broad experience leading global manufacturing operations at Maxion Wheels, and serving in CEO and leadership positions at other Tier 1 suppliers – coupled with having started his career on the factory floor – makes him exactly the right leader for Carbon Revolution in 2025 and beyond.”
Mr. Hampton, who will relocate to Australia, said: “I am indeed thankful for the opportunity to bring the culmination of my experience to bear at Carbon Revolution and help lead this truly innovative company into its next phase of growth. The transformative potential of Carbon Revolution’s breakthrough product is unlike anything I’ve seen in 30 years in the industry.”
Mr. Hampton’s experience managing production facilities across multiple geographies opens the door for Carbon Revolution’s broader expansion in the global automobile market, especially as the Company continues to strive for operational excellence, pursue new opportunities with existing customers, and expand its customer base.
In addition to having served as Vice President of Global Operations at Maxion Wheels, Mr. Hampton previously was President and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan-based Pace Industries; led the North America Interiors division at Tier 1 supplier Faurecia as President of the group; and held a series of increasingly senior roles at Rea Magnet Wire and Honeywell International / Allied Signal.
The Company is grateful to Jake Dingle for his years of visionary leadership as CEO. Under his watch, Carbon Revolution grew from an R&D-oriented, disruptive startup into the premier global supplier of carbon fiber wheels to the automotive industry.
“Today, Carbon Revolution is poised at the starting line for its next chapter – one that I know Donnie, the entire team, and our customers are eager to embrace,” Chris Leary, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, said. “Thanks to the incredibly hard work that Jake Dingle and the entire team have put in over many years to bring our product to market, grow our customer base, and industrialize our operations, our acceleration is just beginning,” he added.
About Carbon Revolution plc Carbon Revolution plc (Nasdaq: CREV) (the “Company” or “Carbon Revolution”) is the parent of Carbon Revolution Pty Ltd, an early-stage growth company which has successfully innovated, commercialized and industrialized the advanced manufacture of carbon fiber wheels for the global automotive industry. The Company has progressed from single prototypes to designing and manufacturing lightweight wheels for cars and SUVs in the high performance, premium and luxury segments, for the world’s most prestigious automotive brands. Carbon Revolution is creating a significant and sustainable advanced technology business that supplies its lightweight wheel technology to automotive manufacturers around the world.
All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this communication are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “target” or other similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectation of continued listing of Carbon Revolution’s ordinary shares and warrants on Nasdaq, the Company’s ability to file its Annual Report and promptly regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), the future financial performance, business strategies, financings and expectations for the Company’s business. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of Carbon Revolution’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from such assumptions, and such differences may be material. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Carbon Revolution.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including (i) the ability to maintain the listing of Carbon Revolution’s securities on Nasdaq or any other exchange on which such securities may be listed in the future; (ii) the failure to realize the benefits of being listed on a U.S. securities exchange and publicly-traded in the United States; (iii) Carbon Revolution's liquidity, including its ability to pay its obligations and to issue equity, refinance its indebtedness or otherwise obtain financing at all or on acceptable terms, (iv) risks related to its ability to meet financial covenants and other key covenants under existing financing arrangements or to obtain waivers or forbearance from compliance with such covenants, which could result in the acceleration of outstanding indebtedness, (v) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; (vi) risks related to the rollout of Carbon Revolution’s business strategy and the timing of expected business milestones; (vii) the effects of competition on Carbon Revolution’s future business and the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth, establish and maintain relationships with customers and retain its management and key employees; (viii) risks related to domestic and international political and macroeconomic uncertainty, including the Russia-Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East; (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Carbon Revolution; (x) the impact of pandemic and governmental responses on any of the foregoing risks; (xi) risks related to Carbon Revolution’s industry; (xii) changes in laws and regulations; and (xiii) those factors discussed in the documents Carbon Revolution filed with the SEC, including the Shell Company Report on Form 20-F.
If any of these risks materialize or Carbon Revolution’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Carbon Revolution does not presently know or that Carbon Revolution currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Carbon Revolution’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Carbon Revolution anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Carbon Revolution’s assessments to change. However, while Carbon Revolution may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Carbon Revolution specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Carbon Revolution’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
