Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Markets
Manufacturing Processes
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Robert Whitney

Libertyville, IL | Knoxville, TN | Fort Myers, FL

Summary

Experienced manufacturing executive with a strategic focus and extensive multi-site P&L expertise. Recognized for developing accountable teams, implementing value creation and professionalizing businesses.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

CEO - Private Equity

Accu-Fab
Illinois & North Carolina
12.2022 - Current
  • Leading the $65 million platform supplying fabricated assemblies into the Data Center, Critical Power, Electronics, and Industrial sectors.
  • Improving the organization for scalable growth to $85 million and on the way to $100 million in revenue.
  • Enhanced financial performance with a 23% increase in revenue, a 69% rise in EBITDA and inventory turns growing from 3.8x to 14.3x.
  • Integrated NC and IL businesses in late 2024CY, and optimizing Sales and Operations.
  • Oversaw execution of an effective auction sale initiative projected to complete by May 2025.
  • PE exit will have 3-4 times multiple expansion based on the improved and predictable earnings coupled with the solid pipeline of future revenue growth.
  • Augmented and developed an accountable team.

President - Automotive Fasteners

MacLean-Fogg Company
Illinois & Michigan
01.2020 - 11.2022
  • Led the $250 million, 500 person Automotive Fastener organization with 5 locations in Michigan and IL.
  • Championed site selection, major facility updates and manufacturing relocations to a one facility business in Farmington Hills, MI.
  • Enhanced Additive Start-up by acquiring and integrating Formetrix from bankruptcy.
  • Implemented price increases with all automotive OEMs and Tier 1 customers.
  • Maintained uninterrupted operations during the Covid pandemic.

EVP Insulator Solutions - MacLean Power Systems

MacLean-Fogg Company
South Carolina
01.2018 - 12.2019
  • Led the $130 million, multi-site business supplying transmission and distribution insulator products to the power utility industry.
  • Stabilized the business turn-around actions adding 5% of EBITDA, and implemented the change management required to meet customer quality and delivery expectations.
  • Focused the fiberglass pultrusion business towards cross-arm production to move from negative earnings to 10% EBITDA.
  • Led technical development and testing efforts to secure IEEE certification for the cut-out product line.
  • Utilized 80/20 analysis and implementation to reduce complexity, increase margins and improve customer satisfaction.

EVP - Composite Solutions

MacLean-Fogg Company
Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Carolina & Germany
02.2018 - 12.2018
  • Oversaw a diversified group of four businesses including Assembly & Distribution in Germany, Polymer Concrete in Tennessee, Fiberglass Pultrusion in South Carolina and Injection Molding in Wisconsin.
  • Championed strategy, lean manufacturing, and implementation of the "playbook" across the independent business units.
  • Grew and professionalized the Tennessee Enclosure business focused on the C&I industry from $15M to $28M and exited at 11x EBITDA.

President - Engineered Plastics

MacLean-Fogg Company
Wisconsin
03.2013 - 01.2018
  • Leader of the $50 million Injection Molding business with two locations in Wisconsin.
  • Championed the merger and integration from two indepedent business totalling $21 million revenue
  • Doubled the EBITDA in 5 years with 3x accomplished in 7 years.
  • Positioned the business to grow via innovation.
  • Utilized 80/20 to grow in industrial and automotive markets.
  • Financial performance was in the top 10% of injection molders for operating earnings.
  • Championed the site selection and relocation of the Menomonee Falls business to support growth.

Vice President

MacLean-Fogg Company
Illinois
04.2009 - 02.2013
  • Oversaw acquisition and divestiture initiatives, completing two divestitures and one acquisition.
  • Instrumental in creating and driving the MacLean-Fogg management playbook across the $400 million organization.
  • Spearheaded the launch of a $30M gear blank business, including an all-new machining facility.
  • Championed HR initiatives centered on performance management and benefits optimization.

COO - Automotive Suspensions

MacLean-Fogg Company
Illinois & Germany
09.2006 - 03.2009
  • Led the $25 million automotive suspension assembly business in Germany & Illinois.
  • Initiated a 'Fix/Close/Sell' review for the division and implemented a 'Sell' process.
  • Championed the sale and close process for the IL business.
  • Sold the majority of the German business and retained Managing director of the remaining distribution and light assembly business through 2016CY.

VP & GM - Metform Component Solutions

MacLean-Fogg Company
Illinois & Ohio
07.2000 - 08.2006
  • P&L leader of $65 million automotive and heavy truck supplier.
  • Promoted from Product line manager after driving the technical sales growth activities.
  • Championed the capacity expansion from $35 million to $65 million.
  • Purchased and completed the start-up of a third facility to support machining gear blank production.
  • Interim GM for the Flowform automotive suspension component business in Toledo, Ohio.
  • Created the foundation for growth of a product line to $250 million.

Associate Director of Sales

Ford Motor Company / Visteon
Michigan
02.1997 - 06.2000
  • Oversaw team of five managing the $2 billion driveline portfolio.
  • Advanced to Associate Director, receiving three promotions within two years.

Brake Design Engineer

Ford Motor Company
Michigan
06.1995 - 01.1997
  • Led the development of an all-new foundation brake system for the Ford Windstar minivan.

College Training Program

Ford Motor Company
Japan & Michigan
06.1993 - 05.1995
  • Led Ford finance for joint venture with Mazda to manufacture small pickups in Thailand.
  • Performed engineering vehicle tests and evaluations and created comparative analyis for senior management.

Education

MBA -

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
05.1993

Master of Science - General Engineering

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
05.1993

Bachelor of Science - General Engineering

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
05.1991

Skills

  • Change Agent Driving Value Creation Processes
  • M&A experience including a successful PE Exit
  • Coaching Accountable Teams
  • Strategy Development and Implementation
  • Data driven 80/20 Leadership
  • Results Driven Continuous Improvement

Markets

Data Center | Power Utility | Automotive | Industrial | Commercial Truck | Agriculture

Manufacturing Processes

Metal Fabrication | Machinining | Injection Molding | Rubber Molding | Assembly | Pultrusion | Polymer Concrete | Additive Manufacturing | Multi-Station Hot Forging | Multi-Station  Cold Forming

Certification

Licensed Professional Engineer | State of Illinois

Timeline

CEO - Private Equity

Accu-Fab
12.2022 - Current

President - Automotive Fasteners

MacLean-Fogg Company
01.2020 - 11.2022

EVP - Composite Solutions

MacLean-Fogg Company
02.2018 - 12.2018

EVP Insulator Solutions - MacLean Power Systems

MacLean-Fogg Company
01.2018 - 12.2019

President - Engineered Plastics

MacLean-Fogg Company
03.2013 - 01.2018

Vice President

MacLean-Fogg Company
04.2009 - 02.2013

COO - Automotive Suspensions

MacLean-Fogg Company
09.2006 - 03.2009

VP & GM - Metform Component Solutions

MacLean-Fogg Company
07.2000 - 08.2006

Associate Director of Sales

Ford Motor Company / Visteon
02.1997 - 06.2000

Brake Design Engineer

Ford Motor Company
06.1995 - 01.1997

College Training Program

Ford Motor Company
06.1993 - 05.1995

MBA -

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Master of Science - General Engineering

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor of Science - General Engineering

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Robert Whitney