Our manufacturing experience

By Catherine Landgraf February 19, 2025
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ABOUT SKUTT Based in Portland, Oregon, Skutt is the leading manufacturer of kilns and pottery wheels in North America. With the help of over 85 employees, Skutt is committed to building the highest quality products serving schools, hobby and production potters. Skutt ensures the highest level of product quality by investing in its people, equipment and lean manufacturing processes. Skutt firmly believes that happy employees translate into happy customers. Many of Skutt’s team members have been with the company for over 10 years. The equipment used to make heating elements, transform bricks, and build controllers leads the industry in innovation and performance. Skutt knows that great equipment translates into fewer problems and happy customers. Skutt is always striving to give customers more value and better quality which is why all team members (office and plant) have been trained in lean manufacturing practices. Skutt is a family-owned business but is transitioning the leadership of the company to professional executives. Based on this, Skutt is looking for a CEO to continue the legacy in its next chapter of success. HISTORY In 1953 father/son team, Ralph and Neil Skutt, manufactured the industry’s first multi-sided hobby kiln in Olympia, Washington under the name “Skutt & Son”. The introduction of this new lightweight design revolutionized not just the ceramic kiln business but the whole ceramic industry by bringing ceramics to the home. A lot has changed over the last 70+ years. Kiln companies have come and gone, new clay bodies and glazes are constantly being developed that demand greater firing precision, and automatic controllers are quickly replacing the once cutting edge KilnSitter. Throughout the years, Skutt has continued to work hard to meet the changing needs of its customers, but one thing that has remained constant is their fierce dedication to manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding customer service. THE OPPORTUNITY Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives, driving operational excellence, and fostering a culture of human development, collaboration, and respect. This role will manage the long-term success of the Company and will work closely with the Board of Directors, senior management team, and external stakeholders to ensure the company’s continued success and profitability. ESSENTIAL DUTIES Assist in the development of, and then execute, the company’s vision, mission, and strategic business plan. Collaborate with the Board of Directors to align company goals and strategies. Inspire, mentor, and lead the senior management team and employee team members. Establish long-term goals to maintain Skutt’s position as a market leader. Identify opportunities for alliances, mergers, partnerships, and investment opportunities. Monitor financial performance and implement strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets. Expand the company’s market share through targeted sales and marketing initiatives. Build strong relationships with customers, distributors, and industry partners. Represent the company at industry events and conferences. Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture. Champion professional development and retention initiatives. Manage risks effectively and maintain a strong reputation for integrity. Oversee daily operations and ensure efficiency and effectiveness across all departments. Ensure optimized manufacturing processes and supply chain management to meet quality and delivery standards. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and company policies, procedures, and compliance programs. Work with marketing teams on SKUTT branding, advertising, and marketing campaigns. Maintain knowledge of trends, developments, new technologies, and market conditions relevant to the division and industry. Work with customers/distributors and sales teams on contracts, actively assisting with negotiations. Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES COMMUNICATION: Effectively convey information and ideas through written, verbal, and non-verbal means. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING: Establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders. PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Develop and implement plans, set priorities, and manage resources to achieve goals. RISK MANAGEMENT: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to the organization. ANALYTICAL: Analyze data, information, and assess situations to make informed decisions or recommendations. INDUSTRY TRENDS: Build awareness and stay current on emerging trends, products, technologies, and best practices in the industry. STRATEGIC: Analyze the business and make decisions to drive long-term goals and objectives. BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: Collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide actionable insights for business decision making. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: Identify, address, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner to achieve positive outcomes. DELEGATION: Assign tasks and responsibilities to others and hold them accountable for their performance. QUALIFICATIONS 10+ years of related experience in senior level leadership roles. Previous experience in product or manufacturing companies is preferred. Strong team leader and organizational skills with the added ability to take initiative. Highly organized, accurate, detail and multi-task oriented. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is preferred. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been retained by Skutt Ceramic Products to conduct this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Rochelle Fleischer at rochelle@180one.com / 503.699.0184
By Catherine Landgraf January 23, 2025
Corporate Controller ABOUT THE COMPANY Founded in 1947, Oregon Tool, Inc. has grown from a basement in Portland, Oregon, to a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of precision cutting tools, equipment, and accessories for consumers and professionals in more than 110 countries. Building off the pioneering spirit of our founder, Joseph Buford Cox, we have transformed the cutting industry and have become the world’s #1 manufacturer of saw chain and guide bars for chainsaws and diamond saw chain for concrete and pipe, a leading manufacturer of agricultural tractor attachments, and the leading OEM supplier of first-fit and replacement parts. At Oregon Tool, we are a passionate group of people dedicated to a spirit of innovation and outside the box thinking to create the world’s most efficient cutting tools and products. We believe in inspiring, listening, learning, and rolling up our sleeves to “get to work” together. Our purpose goes beyond the products we make. We are devoted to positively impacting people, communities, and landscapes around the world. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and implementing sustainable practices to help reverse the impacts of the global climate crisis. We are built on a pioneering spirit and believe in leading with humility, global stewardship, and owning it day in and day out. We know what it takes to get the job done, and we know our people are the way it happens. ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting directly to the CFO, the Corporate Controller provides global leadership of the Company’s accounting functions. The Corporate Controller is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting operations of the organization including financial reporting, financial close, financial consolidation and reporting processes, internal controls, and global accounting policy and procedures. This role will work closely with senior leadership to enhance the company’s financial performance and support its global growth initiatives. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Financial Reporting Oversee the preparation and accuracy of consolidated financial statements in compliance with U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and other relevant international accounting standards. Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders. Manage the preparation and production of consolidated financial reports adhering to internal reporting deadlines. Interface with external auditors on the timing and coordination of the year-end audit and work closely with them throughout their audit cycle. Develop and communicate the reporting schedule internally to Oregon Tool locations and facilitate compliance with reporting deadlines. Streamline and provide continual improvements to the master closing package template utilized by all reporting units. Lead and manage the external reporting cycles in an accurate and timely manner to achieve compliance with debt covenants and reporting deadlines including preparation of financial statements and footnotes. Ensure that the reporting system is able to produce financial information in the format and configuration required by senior management. Accounting Operations Lead the North America accounting team, ensuring accurate and efficient day-to-day accounting operations. Oversee the monthly and year-end close processes, ensuring timely reconciliations, accurate journal entries, and adherence to closing schedules. Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard company assets. Maintain and monitor an effective system of internal accounting and financial reporting controls. Interpret and analyze and report on periodic results. Maintain an internal performance management reporting system. Provide accounting direction and support to company-wide reporting units. Manage the collection and consolidation of data from company-wide reporting units. Supervise the general ledger for various accounts and legal entities, ensuring the accounting records are accurate and well documented. Lead continuous improvement efforts to improve processes and shorten reporting cycle times. Maintain, update and improve policies, processes, and systems including automation of key activities. Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop the management teams across CP, Mold, and PD, ensuring accountability and high performance. Establish clear performance metrics and KPIs for all areas of the business to drive results and enhance team collaboration. Maintain good communication, promote problem-solving, assign responsibilities, and provide training and mentoring to employees. Select and develop key operational executives and successors, assign accountabilities, set objectives, and establish priorities. Team Leadership and Development Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, promoting efficiency, accuracy, and best practices. Manage performance, establish clear development goals, and provide ongoing coaching for team members. Lead documentation and continual improvement of departmental work processes. QUALIFCATIONS Education Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field required Certified Public Accounting (CPA) designation required Knowledge and Experience At least ten years of progressively responsible public and corporate accounting experience Experience in a national or regional public accounting firm is preferred International experience is preferred At least five years of progressively responsible management and leadership experience Experience in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred Skills and Abilities Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and guide cross-functional teams. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Extensive knowledge of GAAP, Sarbanes Oxley regulations, international accounting, SEC and tax issues Excellent presentation skills Collaborative and effective team player Able to lead teams that are globally dispersed Initiative, demonstrated track record of achieving results Proficiency with ERP systems, SAP preferred, and Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)  Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Oregon Tool to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Lisa Heffernan /971.256.3076/ lisa@180one.com
By Catherine Landgraf January 14, 2025
Group President ABOUT THE COMPANY Founded in 1937, Columbia Machine is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of concrete products equipment, serving customers in over 100 countries. From mixing and batching to automatic cubing and splitting, Columbia builds a complete line of equipment to outfit your entire concrete products plant. Columbia is driven by the belief that innovation can transform industries, empower communities, and create a more efficient, sustainable world. With operations spanning five continents and a commitment to excellence in service and support, their purpose extends beyond engineering advanced equipment. They are pioneering innovation and paving a better tomorrow with factory automation solutions worldwide. ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the CEO, the Group President, will oversee operations within the United States, encompassing all aspects of the three lines of business: Concrete Products (CP), Molds, and Palletizing (PD). This leadership role is pivotal in driving the strategic direction and operational excellence across the U.S. including the Smithsburg, MD, Ontario, CA, Orlando, FL, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia based service centers, ensuring alignment with the Company’s strategic objectives and fostering a collaborative culture among the teams. The successful candidate will be responsible for integrating various functions including manufacturing, engineering, sales, procurement, production control, and maintenance and enhancing overall performance with a strong focus on quality and innovation. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership Provide strategic vision and leadership for U.S. Operations, aligning all functions - CP, Molds, and PD - with the Company's overall objectives. Collaborate closely with the CEO, CFO and executive team to define and execute the strategic objectives for the U.S. business unit. Implement programs and processes to meet operational and financial requirements, evaluate and report results. Operational Oversight Oversee all operational activities within the U.S. business unit, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in CP, Mold, and PD processes. Foster an environment of innovation and continuous improvement across all lines of business. Lead and facilitate department continuous improvement goals and objectives. Integrate corporate efforts, monitor and evaluate results, provide necessary resources, and develop strategic partnerships. Ensure that cost targets and delivery schedules are maintained, and profitability is achieved. Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop the management teams across CP, Mold, and PD, ensuring accountability and high performance. Establish clear performance metrics and KPIs for all areas of the business to drive results and enhance team collaboration. Maintain good communication, promote problem-solving, assign responsibilities, and provide training and mentoring to employees. Select and develop key operational executives and successors, assign accountabilities, set objectives, and establish priorities. Collaboration & Communication Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and communication to ensure alignment among teams and integration of efforts across all business areas. Act as the primary point of contact for all U.S. Operations business matters with the CEO, CFO and global executive leaders. Drive collaboration with all Columbia Group businesses, promoting U.S. product offerings sold and serviced in the Western Hemisphere. Provide board-level oversight and strategic direction as required. Serve our Customers Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to implement effective sales initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall business goals and customer needs. Foster strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, identifying new market opportunities and expanding the customer base. Represent the Company to major customers within the U.S.; can include up to 25% domestic and international travel to build customer relationships. Responsible for driving and improving sales and marketing efforts across the U.S. business units. Establish critical service operations and productivity criteria for operations. Maintain cutting-edge operational processes by benchmarking leading practices, exploiting market channels, and ensuring quality service. Financial Management Drive the financial performance of the U.S. business unit by developing and implementing strategies to enhance profitability across all lines of business. Monitor financial metrics, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions to achieve profitability targets while optimizing operational efficiency. Forecast operational requirements, prepare an annual budget, schedule expenditures, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions. Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive financial performance while maintaining high-quality standards across all operations. Quality Management Establish and maintain a culture of quality throughout the U.S business unit, implementing quality assurance and control measures to meet or exceed customer expectations. Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations related to product quality. Innovation Drive innovation initiatives across the three U.S. lines of business, promoting a culture of creativity and forward-thinking solutions. Collaborate with engineering and teams to introduce new technologies and processes that enhance product offerings and operational efficiency. Risk Management Maintain the Company's reputation by enforcing ethical business practices, complying with or influencing the development of laws and regulations. Identify and mitigate operational and financial risks across the U.S. business unit, ensuring business continuity and compliance with relevant regulations. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence in all aspects of the business. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. 10+ years of experience in a senior leadership role within a multinational engineering or manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of driving growth and operational excellence. Extensive experience in capital equipment sales, preferably in a similar industry, to effectively lead sales initiatives and support business growth. Extensive experience with ERP systems, CRM (Customer Relationship Management Software) required. Experience with CAD a plus. Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Columbia Machine to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley /503.334.1350/ tom@180one.com
By Catherine Landgraf December 31, 2024
Senior Vice President of Manufacturing ABOUT THE COMPANY A-dec is the premium leader in the dental equipment industry designing and manufacturing products that span dental chairs, lights, handpieces, furniture, air management, infection control and delivery systems found in dental offices and operatories. With over 1300 employees, and headquartered in Newberg, Oregon, A-dec’s familial culture and values have been attributed to their commitment to the Newberg community and its employees through various investments and programs. ABOUT THE POSITION The Senior Vice President of Manufacturing is responsible for leading A-dec’s Manufacturing, supply chain, and planning functions to create a competitive advantage for the company for both existing and new products. Leading a team of Directors and Managers, this position ensures the continuing advancement of quality performance, cost effectiveness and safety of the manufacturing function while developing new ways to improve the service level for customers and meet the financial objectives of the organization. The Senior Vice President of Manufacturing manages the manufacturing, supply chain and planning functions to ensure continuous improvement, employee engagement and talent development. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Participate as an active member of the executive leadership team providing the vision, leadership, and roadmap necessary to achieve the company’s strategic initiatives consistently and predictably. Define and communicate the vision for Manufacturing and visibly champion current and long- range objectives or programs to ensure successful implementation. Develop annual Manufacturing objectives and ensure tactical plans are executed throughout operations along with aligning metrics, employee goals, and visual dashboards to ensure business objectives are met within operational and regulatory boundaries. Define the skill sets and training programs required to produce increasingly complex products and maintain an effective talent base across the manufacturing, supply chain, and planning teams. Define and establish staff planning parameters necessary for effective operation of Manufacturing processes to include shift schedules, staffing levels, overtime limits, temporary employee ratios, etc. Provide direction, leadership and guidance to ensure relentless focus on delivering results and engage and empower team members to create a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and personal development. Lead the development and implementation of the Manufacturing expense and capital expenditure budgets. Oversee the Manufacturing capacity plan and optimize utilization across Manufacturing while ensuring the production plan is achieved and meets the sales forecast in a timely manner. Lead Manufacturing Engineering in the transformation and optimization of Manufacturing areas to maximize quality, safety and operational efficiency. Lead the Supply Chain team on Production Planning and supply chain requirements to meet customer demands. Collaborate with cross-functional development teams to continuously achieve successful implementation of new or improved manufacturing systems and ensure utilization of capable, cost-effective production processes for manufacturing operations. Partner with Product Development and New Product Introduction (NPI) teams to ensure new product and innovation projects are executed as planned implementing manufacturing processes and testing to proactively resolve identified process capability conflicts. Work collaboratively across the broader organization to leverage corporate resources and align Manufacturing with top level initiatives. Mentor and coach talent across the business to ensure the organization is developing a pool of operational leaders. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to create and communicate vision as well as understand the big picture and translate to application Ability to proactively identify, anticipate and resolve problems and be comfortable relying on instincts to make decisions Ability to work cross functionally with all levels of the organization Ability to motivate and engage the workforce, create effective teams and build peer relationships Ability to create and implement strategies Ability to initiate self-development Comprehensive knowledge of quality management systems/ISO, lean manufacturing, and the product development process Advanced oral and written communication skills with public speaking experience EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering along with relevant work experience required, MBA or M.S. in related field preferred At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience with 5+ years in a senior leadership position managing a similar scope and sized operations and manufacturing team. Experience in strategic planning for organizations of similar size and/or scope as well as managing the vision and purpose of a division and or business segment of an organization Strong project management experience Experience in mergers and acquisitions preferred Experience managing a vertically integrated operation preferred Experience leading corporate-wide projects or initiatives Medical device industry / dental or medical device fields experience preferred Experienced in establishing partnerships with other companies and external organizations preferred Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by A-dec to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley / 503-334-1350 / tom@180one.com
By Catherine Landgraf December 18, 2024
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with VSG and the resulting placement of their new Vice President of Sales and Business Development! Dover’s Vehicle Service Group is the global leader in designing and manufacturing vehicle service, collision and automotive OEM equipment. It is one of the founding companies of Dover Corporation, an eight billion dollar diversified global manufacturer. VSG consists of fifteen leading vehicle lifting brands (Rotary, Forward, Blitz, Ravaglioli etc.), collision repair (Chief), wheel services, diagnostics (Butler, Rotary, Chief and Ravaglioli) and tier-one automotive brands (WARN Automotive) with operations worldwide, including regional business operation centers and large manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Congratulations to VSG!
Impel Selects New Chief Operations Officer
By Jenny Dillman November 2, 2024
We are pleased to announce our recent partnership with Impel and the resulting placement of their new Chief Operations Officer, Impel is a high-growth, rapidly expanding collection of small businesses. Our platform of companies includes capital equipment sales & distribution, repair & field work, manufacturing, and engineering. We are operating in 12 locations across 12 states in the Western US with new acquisitions quarterly. Impel is owned by Pike Street Capital, a growth focused PE firm out of Seattle, WA. The firm invests in middle-market companies in the industrial technology, specialty manufacturing, and distribution & logistics sectors. The Impel investment serves as a foundation from which to expand into the rapidly growing pump and related products industry. Pike Street Capital and Impel have completed 8 acquisitions since the partnership and are actively looking for additional acquisitions and other strategic partners to grow their product offering, service capability, geographic reach, and technology. Congratulations to Impel!
By Catherine Landgraf October 30, 2024
Vice President, Aftermarket ABOUT THE COMPANY Dover’s Vehicle Service Group is the global leader in designing and manufacturing vehicle service, collision and automotive OEM equipment. It is one of the founding companies of Dover Corporation, an eight billion dollar diversified global manufacturer. VSG consists of fifteen leading vehicle lifting brands (Rotary, Forward, Blitz, Ravaglioli, etc.), collision repair (Chief), wheel services, diagnostics (Butler, Rotary, Chief and Ravaglioli) and tier-one automotive brands (WARN Automotive) with operations worldwide, including regional business operation centers and large manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia. ABOUT THE ROLE Responsible for developing and executing the VSG Parts and Service business strategy in the Americas. This is a critical leadership role that requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve Aftermarket objectives while exceeding customer expectations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and implement a Parts and Service strategy to increase market share and add growth opportunities by leveraging complimentary products to the existing offering’s portfolio. Create a marketing strategy for recommending parts and services to existing customers and an outlet to attract new conquest customers using the Parts and Service area of the business. Partner with internal Supply Chain teams to develop an inventory stocking and replenishment model to ensure business success. Partner with dealers to develop a shared inventory and consumption model with clear visibility of parts supply in addition to developing incentives to drive the right behaviors. Stay current with industry and market trends and apply learnings to the VSG Aftermarket strategy. Create detailed budgets and forecasts, including annual sales and profitability targets to meet business and company financial and growth goals. Track and report internal progress to targets, utilizing technology and automation to reduce errors and administrative burden. Direct and coordinate activities relating to part quotations, including ensuring e-commerce ease of use. Developing innovative techniques for recommending parts and services to customers that generate incremental sales. Appraise existing offerings compared to competitors in terms of price, specifications, and delivery model and recommending changes in sales techniques, process design, or other procedures as necessary to achieve goals. Communicate regularly with internal functional teams including Operations, Service, Training, and Sales to effectively manage and grow and develop the parts and service processes. Motivate and inspire a team to achieve company goals and foster an environment of personal development and leadership growth opportunities. CRITICAL SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES Develop and implement the Aftermarket structure and business strategy that: Expand parts and service market share. Improve supplier and customer network capabilities. Create higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Generate growth and expansion of the business into a new segment. Access and align internal resources needed to execute the enhanced Aftermarket business strategy. OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS – Skills and Experience Deep understanding of Parts and Service market in the Americas. Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience with parts and service delivery models. Proven track record of successfully transforming parts and service organizations to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities within all levels of the organization. KEY DOVER COMPETENCIES Customer Impact : Creates value for customers addressing known and unknown needs. Knows and understands all aspects of the global market, including: economics (regulatory issues, corporate compliance, etc.), products and services, channels, the customers and their end-markets. Strategic Mindset : Has understanding of global industry or market; creates breakthrough strategies that alter the competitive dynamics in a market, and establishes a series of competitive advantages yielding profitability that exceeds expectations for the organization. Results Driven : Produces results that exceed Dover’s strategic objectives via a combination of planning and implementation, while living the Dover Values. Strong Business Acumen and Sound Judgment : Uses instinct as well as data to accurately assess business situations and industry trends; makes timely, appropriate decisions and implements appropriate plans while living the Dover Values. Winning the Right Way : Operates with High Ethical Standards, Openness and Trust. Conducts him/herself with high ethical standards and fosters a culture in the organization to conduct business aligned with those standards. Builds and Manages Collaborative Relationships : Establishes and nurtures numerous relationships within Dover. Takes action to partner with the communities in which we operate and to be an appropriate corporate citizen. Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Vehicle Service Group to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Rochelle Fleischer at 503.699.0184 / rochelle@180one.com 
By Greg Togni August 22, 2024
We are excited to announce our recent collaboration with Skutt Ceramic Products, resulting in the placement of their new Chief Financial Officer! Skutt Ceramic Products began in 1953 when Ralph and Neil Skutt manufactured the industry’s first multi-sided hobby kiln in Olympia, Washington under the name “Skutt & Sons”. The introduction of this new lightweight design revolutionized not just the ceramic kiln business but the whole ceramic industry by bringing ceramics to the home. A lot has changed over the last 70+ years. Kiln companies have come and gone, new clay bodies and glazes are constantly being developed that demand greater firing precision, and automatic controllers are quickly replacing the once cutting edge KilnSitter. Throughout the years Skutt has worked hard to meet the changing needs of their customers, but one thing that has remained constant is their fierce dedication to manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding customer service. They realize that every object placed in a Skutt kiln has value. It could be a child’s horse that looks more like a dog or a master potters $20,000 commissioned sculpture. Both of these artists are counting on their kiln to do its job and they don’t want to let them down. Congratulations to Skutt, and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Catherine Landgraf August 15, 2024
180one is thrilled to announce the recent collaboration with Impel, culminating in the successful placement of a new Corporate Controller! Impel Company (“Impel”) is a high-growth, rapidly expanding collection of small businesses. Our platform of companies includes capital equipment sales & distribution, repair & field work, manufacturing, and engineering. They operate in 12 locations across 12 states in the Western US with new acquisitions quarterly Impel is owned by Pike Street Capital, a growth focused PE firm out of Seattle, WA. The firm invests in middle-market companies in the industrial technology, specialty manufacturing, and distribution & logistics sectors. The Impel investment serves as a foundation from which to expand into the rapidly growing pump and related products industry. Pike Street Capital and Impel have completed 8 acquisitions since the partnership and are actively looking for additional acquisitions and other strategic partners to grow their product offering, service capability, geographic reach, and technology. Congratulations to Impel!
By Catherine Landgraf June 27, 2024
Business Unit President ABOUT THE COMPANY In business for over 80 years, Research Products Corporation is a large, privately held, national leader in indoor air quality solutions that creates healthy environments where we live, work, learn, and play. Through our companies AprilAire, DriSteem, Anden, and RP Filters we seek to provide customers with exceptional service and superior products for both residential and commercial applications. ABOUT THE ROLE The President will lead our commercial HVAC IAQ businesses: DriSteem, Anden and RP Filters. Reporting to the CEO Research Products, the President will be fully accountable for the P&L of these businesses. The role will ensure the commercial businesses meet or exceed annual revenue and profitability goals, as well as provide leadership to grow, prepare for, and achieve longer term growth objectives. This includes driving growth using each of the four RP growth strategies – Core - Build – Innovate - Partner. Direct reports to this role include the President of DriSteem , the General manager of Anden, and the General manager of RP filters. This commercial team is focused on business strategy, growth, and optimization that includes support from functional leads in RP operations, engineering, finance, HR, and IT. This team will foster and promote our vision for leadership, double digit growth and our mission to deliver healthy more productive indoor air environments where we work, learn, and play. They will demonstrate a bias for process and actions to identify synergies that support growth, operational excellence, and reinforce a One Team RP winning culture. DELIVERABLES Set growth and execution strategy for the overall commercial group as well as the business entities within the group. Formulate and implement a strategic and annual operating plan that will drive profitable growth for the business while working closely with the CEO, other members of management, to meet long-term objectives and financial targets including double digit revenue and EBITDA growth. Lead, develop and build a high performance level 1 and 2 leadership team and supporting cross-functional teams to support double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth. Identify and develop internal talent and future leaders for succession planning of key leadership roles within the group. Establish a growth mindset. Bring a hands-on approach to creating and maintaining customer relationships, understanding industry trends and opportunities to position the company for strategic growth with existing and new customers. Effectively manage these customers and look for areas to increase both the depth and breadth of those relationships. Align direct and indirect support resources across functional teams to support business priorities for the commercial group overall while collaborating with other RP entities and supporting the overall RP vision, strategy and mission. Develop and execute short and long-term sales, marketing, and product plans and ensure brand alignment. Develop and execute short and long term margin improvement plans that include rigorous pricing, cost, and productivity management. Raise the performance bar by energizing the organization around a high standard of operational excellence to drive improved cost, quality, and on-time deliveries, while still bringing a market-oriented perspective. Provide financial forecasts, implement controls to operating plan to optimize revenue and profit, minimize risk, and oversee the allocation of resources to ensure optimized overall profitability of the group. RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the Commercial businesses to meet or exceed annual revenue and profitability goals. P&L responsibility for entire IAQ commercial group. Provide leadership to prepare the business to achieve longer term growth objectives including innovation initiatives to drive growth in new, adjacent and existing markets. Manage, align, and develop a multi-site and expanding team including support from Operations, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Human Resources and Finance to develop and execute strategies. Drive positive cultural change in the organization to achieve improvements in growth, productivity and financial performance from a single digit to a sustainable double digit performance level. Promote collaboration with RP and Aprilaire. Leverage synergies and integrate where it makes sense for win/win business strategy alignment. Demonstrate a results-oriented management style that measures and evaluates individual performance against clearly defined accountable competencies, responsibilities, and objectives. Support M&A due diligence and the process of acquiring complementary businesses. Successfully lead integration of those acquisitions. Ensure that the outstanding record of safety, quality, health, and environmental performance of the company is maintained or improved, and implemented in line with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Represent and advocate the company externally at meetings with customers, government officials, community, financial lenders, and other key external constituents. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 15+ years’ senior leadership experience with ultimate accountability for a P&L. Demonstrated history of double digit profitable revenue growth with P&L exceeding $100M revenue. Experience developing and executing strategic and commercial business plans. Experience in HVAC or other commercial building systems industries, and/or closely related industries. Experience in product line management, go-to-market commercial, and operations management. Extensive experience developing financial forecasts, managing revenue and operating expense plans at leadership level. Experience building, leading and expanding a commercial business including internal resources, external strategic partnerships, capital infrastructure plans and presenting to Board of Directors or investors. Preferred experience participating in the M&A process. Strong prioritization, project management and communication skills with the ability to manage diverse, simultaneous projects of varying complexities. Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration – strong in forging relationships across groups and driving buy-in and commitment towards solutions that may be challenging or new. Strong influencing skills working across functions and geographically dispersed teams. Demonstrated ability to make quality and timely decisions, even amid ambiguity. Results-oriented, organized, able to handle changing priorities in a high-growth environment. Humble, unselfish leadership style. Derives satisfaction from player/team development Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Research Products Corporation to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley / 503-334-1350 / tom@180one.com
By Catherine Landgraf May 15, 2024
We are excited to announce our recent work with Impel, resulting in the successful placement of a new Executive Vice President of Business Process. Impel Company (“Impel”) is a high-growth, rapidly expanding collection of small businesses. Our platform of companies includes capital equipment sales & distribution, repair & field work, manufacturing, and engineering. They operate in 12 locations across 12 states in the Western US with new acquisitions quarterly Impel is owned by Pike Street Capital, a growth focused PE firm out of Seattle, WA. The firm invests in middle-market companies in the industrial technology, specialty manufacturing, and distribution & logistics sectors. The Impel investment serves as a foundation from which to expand into the rapidly growing pump and related products industry. Pike Street Capital and Impel have completed 8 acquisitions since the partnership and are actively looking for additional acquisitions and other strategic partners to grow their product offering, service capability, geographic reach, and technology. Congratulations to Impel!
By Catherine Landgraf April 23, 2024
180one is thrilled to announce the recent collaboration with ESS, Inc., culminating in the successful placement of a new Vice President of Treasury & Risk Management! Based in Wilsonville, Oregon, ESS Inc. (NYSE:GWH) was founded in 2011 by a team with deep experience in fuel cells, electrochemistry, advanced material science and renewable energy. After five years of intensive innovation, engineering development and rigorous testing and validation, with the backing of ARPA-E and others, the company began shipping turnkey energy storage solutions in 2015 that allowed companies and municipalities to control their own energy future. ESS Inc. designs, builds and deploys environmentally sustainable, low-cost, iron flow batteries for long-duration commercial and utility-scale energy storage applications requiring flexible energy capacity. The Energy Warehouse™ and Energy Center™ use earth-abundant iron, salt, and water for the electrolyte, resulting in an environmentally benign, long-life energy storage solution for the world’s renewable energy infrastructure. ESS Inc. enables project developers, utilities, and commercial and industrial facility owners to make the transition to more flexible non-lithium-ion storage that is better suited for the grid and the environment. As more renewable energy is added to the grid, long-duration energy storage is essential to providing the reliability and resiliency we need when the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing. 
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