BRISTOL, CT – 7/31/25 – Bauer, a global leader in aircraft component test equipment and support equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Friedland as Vice President and General Manager. Rob joins Bauer from Columbia Manufacturing Inc., an aerospace component OEM and MRO, where he served as President & CEO and led the company through a period of strategic transformation and growth.
He brings over 30 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, operations, and renewable energy. His leadership background includes serving as President & CEO of Proton OnSite, where he scaled the business significantly and helped drive its acquisition. At Columbia Manufacturing, Rob modernized operations, improved efficiency, and reinforced the company’s position as a trusted, world-class supplier to the aerospace and defense industries.
In his new role at Bauer, Rob will oversee operations, lead cross-functional teams, and help drive Bauer’s continued growth in domestic and international markets.
"Rob is a proven leader who brings deep operational expertise, a strong customer focus, and the strategic mindset we need as we continue to expand our business," said Lou Auletta, CEO of Bauer. "We are excited to welcome Rob to our team and confident in the impact he'll make across our business."
Friedland added, “Bauer is known worldwide for quality, reliability, and integrity. I’m honored to join the team and excited to contribute to its next chapter of success.”