Gloucester Engineering Corp. has recently decided to create two divisions for the company. The new Lifetime Support Division will be focused on GEC’s Aftermarket products and Customer Service, while the OEM Division will concentrate on the company’s line of traditional complete blown film, cast film, foam and sheet extrusion, bag making and extrusion coating systems and equipment.
Laurent Cros has been named president of the new GEC Lifetime Support Division. He joined GEC in 2012 as VP of Aftermarket group and has rapidly grown the segment both internally and through the acquisition of Pearl Technologies. Going forward, Cros will also serve as president of Pearl Technologies Inc., and he will further integrate the comapny's aftermarket product solutions for the converting and extrusion industries into GEC’s existing capabilities in order to better serve all of their aftermarket customers. Laurent’s focus will be on the constant improvement of customer service levels, as well as the introduction of new and innovative products and services that will enhance the value of customer’s existing assets.
“I’m excited for this new opportunity and look forward to continuing the growth of GEC’s Aftermarket businesses,” says Cros. “At the same time, I’m honored to lead a company like Pearl Technologies, and I look forward to working more closely with Bob Tewksbury, Linda Gillette, and their management team to continue to build their excellent reputation throughout the industry.”
Long-term GEC veteran Carl Johnson will continue to serve as president of the Gloucester Engineering OEM Division. Johnson has announced that the company will be consolidating its other previously acquired firm, Future Design Inc., into GEC’s facility, located in Gloucester, Mass., to enhance OEM product development synergies, streamline the supply chain, and continue to reduce redundant cost centers. Going forward, the Future Design product line will continue to be manufactured and supported by the team located at GEC’s flagship plant and there should be no disruptions to current orders or service levels.
“Gloucester Engineering remains, as it always has been, committed to doing the right things for its customers,” says Johnson. “The creation of these new divisions helps us to focus equally on the continued growth of both sides of our business, giving both our aftermarket services and our OEM systems the attention, strength and support that our company prides itself on.”
In addition to the new divisions of the company, two new hires have been added to the executive team. Leading Gloucester’s journey towards operational excellence is GEC's new chief executive officer, Rick Tattersfield. An equipment industry veteran, Tattersfield has held senior roles at 1366 Technologies, an MIT technology spin-out, and at GT Advanced Technologies, where he served as VP and general manager of the company’s Sapphire equipment product. Before that role, he was VP and general manager of GT Solar’s PV Equipment Division and VP of the company’s global operations. During his tenure, GT accelerated its operations capability from $60 million to more than $900 million, expanded its supply chain and service capabilities and opened facilities in Shanghai and Hong Kong. His prior experience includes operational roles at industrial manufacturer, Illinois Tool Works. Tattersfield received his BS from The Royal Navy Engineering College and his MS from Cranfield University, where he also completed a fellowship in manufacturing management.
“Creating the divisions brings a true sense of responsibility and customer focus to these very different market segments,” states Tattersfield. “The consolidation is required to answer our Customers’ relentless requirement for value.”
“Tier one supplier quality is often taken for granted; leaving innovation and the cost per kg of output a decisive factor in the buyer’s decision making process,” he continues. “Gloucester Engineering is constantly committed to achieving this quality, and we believe that with a new structure and bolstered management team the company is prepared to continue its recent growth even further.”
Gloucester Engineering has also hired a new chief financial officer, Bill Schmidt. Schmidt is a global operating executive and experienced public and private company CFO, leading successful turn-around and growth of multiple companies in partnership with their CEO's. Bill has over 35 years of experience working with all levels of management and multiple boards of directors regarding operations, capital raises, and investor relations, with over a dozen M&A transactions. He began his career as a financial analyst at Philips Electronics where he progressed through multiple positions to CFO of the components business, responsible for the US and Asia Pacific. He also served as VP of finance and CFO at several other technology and capital equipment manufacturers such as Perkin Elmer, PRI Automation (Brooks Automation), High Voltage Engineering Corp., and IBIS Technologies. He received a BS in Finance and a BA in Policy Administration from West Virginia University; an MBA in accounting and Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University and completed an executive education program at Harvard University Graduate Business School.
Gloucester Engineering
(978) 281-1800
