Leadership transition at Klein Tools
Klein Tools announced that Mathias Klein III (Mat) will retire as chairman of the board in June 2015 but will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.
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| Left to right: Thomas Klein Jr., Thomas Klein Sr., Mathias Klein III and Mark Klein |
Current president Thomas R. Klein Sr. will succeed him as chairman. Additionally, Mark Klein, vice president of domestic sales, and Thomas Klein Jr., general manager of heavy infrastructure, will be promoted and serve as co-presidents of Klein Tools effective Jan. 1, 2015.
“Mat will be long remembered for his steadfast commitment to the company,” said Thomas R. Klein Sr. “With his leadership and vision, Klein Tools is in a better position today than when he started years ago.”
“Under Tom’s leadership as president, Klein Tools not only survived the recession, it emerged stronger and became the undisputed leader in the hand tool industry,” said Mathias Klein III. “His compelling vision ultimately drove Klein to become the world-class manufacturer and new product development machine that it is today. In his new role as chairman, Tom will be in a position to continue to help drive Klein Tools into the future.”
During Tom Klein’s tenure as president since 2006, Klein Tools invested in a new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center and heat treat facilities in Mansfield, Texas. The new product development process has been transformed and is achieving industry-leading results, with major portions of the company’s growth tied to new product introductions. Also under his leadership, the company has achieved significant growth through its focused efforts on international sales and acquisitions in Australia, Mexico and Brazil. In addition, the company has grown with the domestic acquisition of Heritage Cutlery (now Klein Cutlery) and Klein’s joint venture investment with UEI. As chairman, Tom will retain responsibility for finance, legal, corporate development and human resources.
Mark Klein will assume the new role of president of sales and marketing and will be responsible for global marketing, sales and customer service. He will also manage the company’s cutlery division in New York, Klein Cutlery and Klein Tools de Mexico affiliates. Thomas Klein Jr. will assume a new role as president of operations and research and development. Tom Jr. will be responsible for Klein Tools’ manufacturing, operations and new product development functions. He will also manage two of the company’s international affiliates, Civitella & Cia in Brazil and Mumme Tools in Australia.
Mark Klein was named vice president domestic sales in 2012. He has been leading Klein’s domestic sales operations, including the development of strategic marketing initiatives, such as the company’s launch of the camouflage limited-edition pliers and the “Electrician of the Year” programs in 2013.
“Mat and I feel strongly that Mark Klein, Tom Klein Jr. and the entire leadership team are ready for more responsibility to maintain the growth momentum and lead Klein Tools forward,” said Thomas R. Klein Sr. “Mark and Tom Jr. have committed to driving the organization forward through continued investment in R&D, people and world-class manufacturing processes, thus we feel now is the time to begin the transition.”
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