4 notable changes at the top in 2022

When there is leadership change at any company, from the 7,000-person Semperit A.G. Holding Co. to the 100-employee Sur-Seal Inc., the idea is to make the transition as smooth as possible for the company.

And when these transitions occur against the backdrop of supply chain challenges and labor market hurdles, among other macro-market issues, they can be even more challenging.

There were a number of changes in executive positions in the rubber world for 2022, and here are four we thought stood out for their even-keeled approaches during challenging times.

CINCINNATI—With new CEO Dana Waterman at the helm, the custom sealing solutions company Sur-Seal L.L.C. expanded this year with the acquisition of Mueller Custom Cut, a Charlotte, N.C.-based gasket manufacturer, and is homing in on what it does best with the sale of some "key assets," the company said.

Waterman took over as CEO of the company in March. He brought 20 years of experience serving in CEO roles in industrial, medical, aerospace, packaging, oil and gas, and building products markets, which he says will help him carry Sur-Seal forward.

As Waterman stepped into his new role as CEO, he said he looks forward to leading the company "through appropriate acquisitions that are complementary to our existing markets, customers and geographies."

VIENNA—At the beginning of the year, Karl Haider took over as Semperit A.G. Holding CEO and chairman, succeeding Martin Fuellenbach who resigned in September 2021.

Haider stepped into the new role Jan. 11, and his term will expire March 31, 2025.

He comes to Semperit from Tata Steel Europe, one of the world's largest steel companies, where he served as chief commercial officer.

"I am looking forward to working with a proven industry expert who understands how to combine leadership, practical experience as well as technical and business knowledge in an outstanding way and thus fulfills all the prerequisites to successfully complete the next stage of Semperit Group's transformation together with his proven board colleagues," said Herbert Ortner, chairman of Semperit A.G. Holding's Supervisory Board.

PIQUA, Ohio—French Oil Mill Machinery Co. has been run by a member of the French family since its founding in 1900—and that trend will continue in the future for the manufacturer of hydraulic presses for the rubber molding industry.

Tayte French-Lutz, named a vice president of French Oil Mill Machinery in June, is the daughter of current Chairman and CEO Daniel French. Her selection puts in place a succession plan for her to become the fourth generation to lead the firm, a transition that is expected to happen over time.

French-Lutz told Rubber News she sees businesses being more family-friendly these days, and that "allyship" is important in the industry, as she has worked hard building her network of other working women in the industry. "It's been helpful in seeing how other women navigate their careers in the industry," French-Lutz said.

FLORENCE, Ky.—Nolan Strall took over as president of the Krauss-Maffei Corp., the North American division of KraussMaffei Group, at the beginning of 2022.

Strall joined the machinery maker in early 2020 as the company's vice president of operations and digital and service solutions.

"In what has been a very difficult year for the industry and one of the largest organizational changes in the company's history, I found at Krauss-Maffei Corp. an amazing group of dedicated employees that we have now galvanized as one strong team for the future," Strall told Rubber News.

The injection molding, extrusion and processing equipment builder was coming off one of its best order intake years ever in 2021, and Strall is expected to continue that trend for the company moving forward.