Titan Industries: Under new ownership, leadership

For more information, contact: MaryBeth Matzek at Willems Marketing at 920-831-6580 ext. 26; marybeth@willemsmarketing.com


Former K-C manager teams up to buy New London manufacturer

NEW LONDON (Dec. 19, 2007) – Titan Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of pre-engineered and custom conveyers and allied components, has new owners and a new chief executive officer.

Dan Baumbach, Titan’s new CEO, is a partner in the business with Rob Garland, a former area resident now working for Oaktree Capital Management LLC, San Francisco, Calif.

Baumbach comes to Titan after a 24-year career with Kimberly-Clark Corp. He worked in numerous leadership positions with the company including manager of K-C’s paper mill in Marinette and most recently leader of K-C’s office of strategy implementation.

“What attracted us to Titan was the potential for growth. Our products and services are well respected in the industry and our craftsmanship is phenomenal. Our plan is to grow Titan right here in New London,” Baumbach said.

Titan Industries, which operates a 42,000-square-foot facility in New London, produces a broad line of pre-engineered and custom conveyors used in scrap handling, packaging, bulk handling, automotive, manufacturing processes, durable goods, distribution, recycling and other applications.

The company is already experiencing growth, Baumbach said.

“We expect to achieve all-time record sales for the fourth quarter. We have increased the number of production employees by 25 percent and have announced plans to add a second shift,” he said. “If needed, we could double the size of the plant at our current location.”

The company currently employs 43 people, including sales and engineering staff.

Titan Conveyers is looking at growing sales both in and out of the United States, especially Canada, Baumbach said.

“There is so much publicity about the U.S. importing goods and the impact on the American workforce. It’s very rewarding to be part of things going the other way,” he said.

Baumbach and Garland have added George Eastman, who served most recently as K-C’s Team Manager of Converting, to be Titan Industries’ new plant manager.

Titan Industries, 735 Industrial Loop Road, New London, was founded in 1981 by four principals with years of experience in the conveyer industry. The plant originally was just 9,000-square-feet. One of Titan’s previous owners, Roger Steingraber, is staying with the company as vice president of sales while owners Craig Baumgartner, president, and Frank Harrison, VP-Engineering, retired.

“Titan’s owners selected us from several interested parties. They chose us because we provided a strong vision for continuing Titan’s success in New London, which is of particular interest to the dedicated employees who have taken the company so far since 1981,” Baumbach said.

For more information on Titan Industries Inc., please visit www.titanconveyors.com.