GAFFNEY, S.C. — Bob Harbin, president and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC), will retire on July 31, company officials said.

Harbin’s retirement brings to a close a career of more than 30 years as a leader and innovator in the transportation industry, according to the company.

Harbin has served as president and CEO of FCCC since 2006. He is credited with pushing the company to its current status as one of the top chassis suppliers in the Class A diesel RV and walk-in van markets. (FCCC also manufactures chassis for school buses.) Harbin also increased resources to strengthen FCCC’s dealer and customer support systems, as well as its development of  alternative-fuel products.

“Everyone at Daimler Trucks North America [DTNA] and FCCC is incredibly grateful to Bob for his many years of distinguished and dedicated service,” said Martin Daum, president and CEO of DTNA. “He transformed customer relationships into true business partnerships — as well as anticipating and responding to customer demands for products powered by a wide range of fuel options — quickly bringing FCCC to the premier spot in each of its core markets through his unwavering entrepreneurial spirit.”

Prior to joining FCCC, Harbin worked for more than 20 years at Chrysler, serving in management roles at a number of the automaker’s plants before being promoted to chairman and technical director of a joint Chrysler-BMW venture in Brazil.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to lead this outstanding team here at FCCC for almost a decade,” Harbin said. “FCCC is more than just a place to work — it’s a family.  I have been honored to be part of the family, and I will miss them greatly.”

Harbin will be succeeded as president and CEO by David Carson, who currently serves as general manager of human resources for DTNA, which is also the parent company of Thomas Built Buses.

Carson joined DTNA in 2001 and has served in a series of senior leadership positions. He became a member of the DTNA operating committee in 2009. Carson will assume his new role Aug. 1.

A successor to Carson will be announced at a later time, company officials said.