A Conversation with Desmond Griffiths, President and CEO of the Electromac Group, and Bill Remy, Chairman and CEO of TBM Consulting Group

The Electromac Group, Windsor, Ontario, manufactures lightweight engineered steel parts for the North American automotive sector. The privately held company offers a full range of services, including tool process design and build, cold stamped production, hot forming and assembly. It was established in 1955 and now employs over 300 people with annual sales upwards of $150 million. Electromac’s President and CEO Desmond Griffiths has been with the company since 1995, when he started in operations on the floor. He worked in finance, as corporate controller and launched Cannon Automotive Solutions, Electromac’s stamping division.

Part 1: In the first part of our conversation we learn what a daily management system is and how it works to guide performance at Electromac. 

Part 2: In the second part of our conversation Desmond and Bill talk about how business leaders can create a culture of excellence, which starts with people.

A Conversation with Desmond Griffiths, President and CEO of the Electromac Group, and Bill Remy, Chairman and CEO of TBM Consulting Group (Part 1 of 2)

The Electromac Group, Windsor, Ontario, manufactures lightweight engineered steel parts for the North American automotive sector. The privately held company offers a full range of services, including tool process design and build, cold stamped production, hot forming and assembly. It was established in 1955 and now employs over 300 people with annual sales upwards of $150 million. Electromac’s President and CEO Desmond Griffiths has been with the company since 1995, when he started in operations on the floor. He worked in finance, as corporate controller and launched Cannon Automotive Solutions, Electromac’s stamping division.

Part 1: In the first part of our conversation we learn what a daily management system is and how it works to guide performance at Electromac. 

Part 2: In the second part of our conversation Desmond and Bill talk about how business leaders can create a culture of excellence, which starts with people.

A Conversation with Jon Fieldman, Senior VP of Operations at Angie’s Boomchickapop, headquartered in North Mankato, Minnesota

(Interviewed by David Drickhamer)

In 2001 husband and wife entrepreneurs Dan and Angie Bastian started making kettle corn in their garage in North Mankato, Minn. Their snacks caught the attention of some people at the nearby training facility of the Minnesota Vikings. They eventually started selling their kettle corn at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Angie’s Boomchickapop is a national brand offering maple sea salt, salted carmel and sweet & spicy flavored snacks that feature whole grain, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients. TPG Growth, a unit of private equity firm TPG Capital, acquired a significant stake in the company in October 2014.

Jon Fieldman, Senior VP of Operations, started working for the company this previous January. He previously worked in manufacturing leadership and supply chain management roles for Shaklee, Schiff Nutrition, Clorox and General Mills.

A Conversation with Dan Crose, Vice President, Global Product Supply—Water, Franklin Electric

(Interviewed by David Drickhamer)

Franklin Electric is a leading global provider of complete water systems and fueling systems. The company’s principal products include clean water systems, water transfer systems, and gray water systems, which it supplies to municipalities and residential developments. It also markets fuel systems; much of the equipment you see at the corner gas station when refueling is supplied by Franklin Electric. 

As the leader of the company’s Water Operations, Dan Crose’s responsibilities include global manufacturing and distribution, global sourcing and advanced manufacturing engineering.