Tayte French Lutz named French Oil CEO

PIQUA, Ohio—French Oil Mill Machinery Co. officially has been handed to the next generation.

Tayte French Lutz was named CEO of the Piqua-based machinery maker Sept. 21, succeeding her father Daniel French in the role.

Daniel French will remain chairman of the board for French Oil Mill Machinery. French Lutz will serve as vice chair.

She also represents the fourth generation of company leadership

"I firmly believe that Tayte will shine in her new role as CEO," Daniel French said in a statement. "She has shown outstanding dedication and leadership throughout her employment with the company, and I am excited to see her guide French Oil Mill Machinery Co. into a new era of success."

French Lutz, a Tulane University and the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management program graduate, joined the family business in 2010 after years of work in the fashion industry. Her career with French Oil began with her serving as marketing coordinator.

Since that time, French Lutz has played a pivotal role in growing the business and the scope of her work as expanded with her expertise in marketing, brand management, community involvement and strategic planning.

She most recently served as vice president of the hydraulic and screw press, mixing systems and polymer equipment manufacturer.

"I am excited to build upon the strong foundation established by my family and predecessors, while continuing to drive innovative solutions to our industry," French Lutz said in a statement. "Our team is dedicated to delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers, and I am committed to preserving the values that have defined our company for over a century."

According to a news release issued by the company, it was French Lutz's "unwavering commitment" and support to the company's core vision and preservation of its values that allowed her leadership to shine through. Moving forward, it said, French Lutz has the full confidence and support of the board.

"In her new role as CEO, Tayte French Lutz will continue to uphold the company's longstanding reputation for excellence in the design, manufacturing and servicing of hydraulic presses, oilseed and polymer processing equipment, and more," the company said in the news release. "Under her direction, French Oil Mill Machinery Co. remains committed to partnership, customer satisfaction, innovation, and product quality."

Founded in 1900 by Alfred Willard French, an M.I.T. graduate and veteran of the linseed oil industry, French Oil Mill Machinery was built on the principle that engineering and creativity could produce superior vegetable oil mill machinery. Since then, the company has evolved.

Today, French Oil Mill Machinery serves both the oilseed processing and synthetic rubber markets, producing custom designs for manufacturing and processing.