American Flexible Products names new CEO
Carla Wing, a 22-year veteran of Minnesota-based industrial gasket manufacturer American Flexible Products, has been named president and CEO of the 34-employee company.
The 41-year-old Wing was formerly vice president of operations for the firm, which is an employee-owned company and was formed in 1990 by Butch Givens, Scott McDougall and Nolan Grimm, all of whom have retired from American Flexible.
The company specializes in the design and manufacture of custom-made gaskets, seals, spacers and other products by cutting or converting flexible materials such as silicone, neoprene and rubber. All of its seals and gaskets are custom-made and are used in demanding industries such as aerospace, HVAC, medical devices, high-performance enclosures and industrial machinery.
The company, which sells its products internationally, also specializes in the lamination of materials using products such as 3M's "very high bond" adhesives. Converting processes for gaskets and laminated materials include water-jet cutting, die cutting, rotary cutting and kiss cutting, as well as assembly of specialty customer parts, which need high-tolerance sealing.
Carla Wing joins an increasing number of women in leadership roles in U.S. companies, but she is a rarity in manufacturing, where only 6% of CEOs are women despite the fact that women make up 30% of the manufacturing labor force in the U.S.
American Flexible is an employee-owned company operating under an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) where every full-time employee participates in the plan. Wing, who is a native of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, was appointed president by the company's board of directors in May 2016. She succeeded Butch Givens, who retired upon Carla's appointment.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
