 
Scott Thomsen to Lead Guardian's North American
Flat Glass Operations
February 18, 2010
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Scott Thomsen |
Guardian Industries in Auburn Hills, Mich., announced today that
Scott Thomsen will take on the role of group vice president for
North American flat glass operations, a new position at the company,
as of March 1. Thomsen will oversee all aspects of its North American
flat glass including facilities, fabrication, marketing, sales,
financial, business development and services. Additionally, he will
continue to oversee the companys research and development
activity at the Science and Technology Center in Carleton, Mich.
Were all trying to step up to the plate after Bill
Davidsons passing, explained Russell Ebeid, Glass Group
president and chairman of the board, in an exclusive interview today
with USGNN.com. Davidson, who led Guardian for more than 50
years, passed away in March 2009 (CLICK
HERE for related story). As a result, organizational responsibilities
are being shifted, giving Thomsen a role in leading North American
functions for the glass group and Ebeid a broader role overseeing
worldwide operations, as well as responsibilities as chairman of
the board.
Now that we have [active involvement with the] board we have
a responsibility to shareholders, to charities and to the family,
so we have to be much more engaged to make sure were protecting
the interests of all three, Ebeid said. As chairman
of the board Ive picked up those responsibilities.
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Russell Ebeid |
According to Ebeid, Thomsen was the ideal candidate to direct North
American operations due to his background in the companys
research and development initiatives.
We, as an industry, have to get out the commodity rut, and
Scotts a guy who is doing that, Ebeid said, pointing
to Thomsens leadership of the group thats launched a
number of high-performance coating products to the commercial, residential
and solar glass markets in recent years. Ebeid added, In our
early days, we had rapid growth because of our international expansion.
Now were into the next stage and thats getting out of
commodities and moving into innovative products
Thomsen explained, At Guardian I have been [involved] in
innovation, but in past work experiences Ive had I have been
in operations and Ive run plants. I have been in charge of
sales organizations, Ive been in charge of marketing organizations
and Ive been in charge of innovation organizations - so I
feel that Ive had the right mix of background to help Guardian
go from a rapid growth commodity-based company to an innovation-based
company.
Among Thomsens first priorities was to establish a North
American Flat Glass leadership team, which includes:
- Martin Powell, vice president of sales and marketing. Powell
has 27 years of experience at Guardian, most recently at Guardian
Building Products.
- Jim West, senior director of channel and business development.
West developed Guardians solar product segment from inception.
In this new role, he will be responsible for market research and
business analysis to help the company define its business model
for the mature North American market.
- Jim Pettis, senior director of North American fabrication facilities.
Pettis has a long tenure with Guardian domestically and overseas.
He will oversee Guardians fabrication plants and create
a commercial paradigm for their success.
- Joe Bruce, vice president of flat glass services, which includes
purchasing, logistics, regulatory and related activities. Bruce
has held numerous roles in his 25 years at Guardian, and will
also retain his responsibilities as vice president of global purchasing.
"One of the good things about being at Guardian," Thomsen
commented, "is that we were able to draw from the best people
to make the best possible organization, we didn't just look to the
United States and Canada, we were able to look around the 'world
of Guardian,' which is a big advantage."
Though Davidson and Ebeid have for many years provided a face to
the U.S.-based float manufacturer, that is a role that Thomsen,
too, says he is willing to adopt.
About nine months ago Russ asked me if I was ready for the
next 35 years, he told USGNN.com. I think this
is the strength of Guardian. Its important to have that consistency
When you look at the four big glass manufacturers in the
world, Guardian has had the most consistency in the last 25 years
since Russ has been in charge of the Glass Group.
CLICK
HERE to read the news release issued by the company.
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