igus GmbH, which manufactures motion plastics used in robotics and industrial automation, yesterday announced that it has chosen a new leadership team for its business unit in Rumford, R.I. The Cologne, Germany-based company said the five new vice presidents will focus on expanding its presence in North America.
“At igus, we are continually raising the bar to deliver better solutions for our customers,” said Artur Peplinski, president and CEO of igus Inc., who will oversee the new directors. “These appointments will enable us to continue to grow our business, invest in our employees, and increase value for our customers.”
Founded in 1964, igus has 35 subsidiaries and more than 4,500 employees worldwide. The family-run company develops and produces motion plastics. These self-lubricating, high-performance polymers can improve technology and reduce costs wherever things move in industry, said igus.
Experienced execs to head North American team
igus said its North American leadership group, which will also focus on solutions, customer service, and sustainability, now includes:
- Tom Miller, vice president of the igus dry-tech division
- Joe Ciringione, vice president of the igus e-chain systems division
- Anne Hardee, vice president of human resources
- Gerry Fournier, vice president of operations
- Greg Silva, vice president of finance
All of the new executives have distinguished themselves as business leaders, according to igus. Miller, a graduate of Northeastern University, joined the company in 1999 and oversees all aspects of its dry-tech division.
Ciringione joined igus in 1995, starting out with the company as an inside sales technical representative. He has led the company’s highly successful e-chain division since 2003.
Hardee joined igus in 2001 and also brings more than three decades of experience to her role.
Fournier attended Bridgewater State University and came to igus in 2001. He is responsible for all day-to-day manufacturing, logistics, and purchasing operations.
Silva joined igus in 2018. A graduate of Bryant University, Silva brings more than 30 years of financial and business expertise to his position.
igus aims to maintain motion plastics lead
In energy supplies, highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings, as well as lead screw technology made of tribo-polymers, igus claimed that it is the worldwide market leader. In 2020, the company generated a turnover of €764 million ($871.9 million U.S.).
Research in the industry's largest test laboratories constantly yields innovations and more security for users. igus said 234,000 articles are available from stock, and their service life can be calculated online.
In recent years, the company has expanded by creating internal startups for technologies such as ball bearings, robot drives, 3D printing, the RBTX platform for Lean Robotics, and intelligent “smart plastics” for Industry 4.0.
Among its most important environmental investments are the “chainge” program—recycling of used e-chains—and participation in Plastic2Oil, an enterprise that produces oil from plastic waste.
“We are dreaming of a different kind of igus,’’ said Frank Blase CEO of igus GmbH. “We are dreaming of an igus that has the sense of really improving the world, in a genuine, honest and measurable way.”
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