Kottler Metal Products, Inc. Hires Joe Piccioni as CEO
We are excited to announce that Kottler Metal Products has hired Mr. Joe Piccioni as CEO of the 108-year-old metal bending business.
Mr. Piccioni is a highly experienced leader and manufacturing executive who started his career at age 18 working on the shop floor of the aluminum extrusion factory near his hometown of Pottsville, PA. Beginning as a press operator, Mr. Piccioni spent the next three decades working his way to top leadership roles in various industrial businesses around the world. His expertise includes strategic planning, product development, revenue growth, and managing global operations.
Most recently, Mr. Piccioni played a key role as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Westinghouse. There, he helped guide the 9,000-employee industrial company out of bankruptcy through a combination of growth and the implementation of Lean manufacturing principles, more than doubling the value of the company in four years. Mr. Piccioni's efforts saved the company over $180 million and significantly improved both its culture and financial health.
Before Westinghouse, Mr. Piccioni held global leadership positions at Arconic and Alcoa. He was responsible for developing strategies that turned around struggling divisions, launching new products, and expanding into new markets. Mr. Piccioni’s work led to more efficient operations and improved customer service.
Joe is known for being a hands-on leader who focuses on growth and operational excellence. In his words, “I believe in getting involved directly with employees at all levels to deliver great results that benefit everyone, no matter the challenges.”
Mr. Piccioni studied Industrial Engineering at Penn State and has completed leadership programs at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
When asked what makes a good leader, Mr. Piccioni stated: “As I worked my way up through large manufacturing companies over the past 45 years, one common theme emerged at every level—from operator to supervisor to COO. I wished the leaders above me would listen more to me and our frontline employees in solving problems and making improvements. From this, I made a promise to myself: if I ever reached a position where I could make a difference for employees, I would. And I have. I believe that those who make our products should be the highest priority for the entire company. When we give them unprecedented support, every function—from Sales to Planning and Logistics, Product and Service Quality, and ultimately Customer Satisfaction and our business financials—improves.”
Joe and his wife Lynne live in the Cleveland area near their children and their spouses, and three grandchildren. They enjoy reading, fitness, travel, and following Formula 1.
Joe Piccioni will be joining Mr. Barry Feldman (President, Board Member), Mr. Anthony Murru (CFO) and Mr. Aaron Simkoff (V.P. of Operations) on the Kottler senior management team. Barry Feldman and Aaron Simkoff are 4th and 5th generation Kottler team-members respectively with more than 50 years of combined experience in the metal bending industry.
Mr. Piccioni will lead Kottler in implementing a strategy for growth, including a focus on increasing bending capacity through operational excellence, driving customer engagement, and evaluating potential acquisitions. Mr. Feldman will continue to support both new and existing customers and, alongside Joe, play a significant role in Kottler’s acquisition strategy.
Certain statements about Continuim made by portfolio company executives herein are intended to illustrate the work of Continuim’s team with such portfolio companies. Such portfolio companies are controlled by investment vehicles managed by Continuim. Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with their participation, although they generally receive compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles, and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and/or investors in Continuim-sponsored vehicles. Such compensation and investments subject participants to potential conflicts of interest in making the statements herein.