DENSO's Chris Bartholomew Honored as SAE Fellow for Engineering Excellence

DENSO’s Chris Bartholomew Becomes SAE Fellow

DENSO, a prominent player in the mobility sector, proudly announces that Chris Bartholomew, their North America standardization lead, has received the esteemed title of SAE Fellow from SAE International. This prestigious honor is typically bestowed upon a select group of professionals in the automotive, commercial vehicle, and aerospace industries for their substantial impacts on mobility through leadership and innovation.

A Rare Honor

Since its inception in 1975, only a few professionals have attained SAE Fellowship, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding contributions in the field. Bartholomew is only the third person from DENSO to be given this recognition, following in the footsteps of Taro Tanaka and Norio Omori. This year’s celebration culminated at the Fellows Dinner held on April 7, 2025, in Detroit, where Bartholomew and fellow honorees gathered to commemorate their achievements.

Commitment to Standards and Innovative Solutions

Bartholomew’s journey at DENSO began in 1999 as a compressor engineer. After nearly two decades in the Thermal Group, he transitioned to focus on technology planning and standardization, crucially involved in developing innovative and safe automated driving systems. His work emphasizes the importance of setting industry standards that not only enhance the performance of existing technologies but also spearhead the development of new ones.

He currently leads the On-Road Automated Driving (ORAD) Committee within SAE, which is instrumental in developing and maintaining industry standards for driving automation, including the internationally recognized automation classification levels from 0 to 5.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from SAE International,” Bartholomew said. He noted that the fellowship goes beyond personal achievement, highlighting the collective effort within the industry to establish standards that advocate for safer and more sustainable mobility solutions.

Fostering Collaboration and Safety

Roger Berg, vice president of North America R&D at DENSO, stated, “Chris’s recognition as an SAE Fellow reflects his commitment not only to DENSO but also to the entire industry.” He emphasized Bartholomew’s role in promoting collaborative efforts aimed at improving safety and quality across mobility solutions.

His ongoing commitment to standardization and innovation will continue to guide DENSO in producing advanced technologies that support a greener future for the automotive industry and enhance the overall safety of vehicles on the road.

A Leader in Mobility Solutions

DENSO, headquartered in Kariya, Japan, is a global leader in developing technology and components for a wide array of vehicles. With approximately $47.9 billion in revenue, DENSO actively invests in research and development, allocating around 8.6% of its consolidated sales to innovative projects aimed at improving mobility.

The company operates nearly 180 facilities around the world, employing a workforce of over 158,000 individuals dedicated to advancing mobility technology. As DENSO continues to lead in this vital industry, Bartholomew's recognition further underscores the company's commitment to fostering a safer, greener, and more efficient automotive environment.

Those interested in a career with DENSO are encouraged to visit the company’s career page for more opportunities, as DENSO remains committed to shaping the future of mobility through collaborative efforts and stringent safety standards.