HarbisonWalker International (HWI), the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the U.S., recently announced Stephen Delo will retire as chairman and chief executive officer, effective June 30, 2017. The HWI Board of Directors has elected Carol R. Jackson to be HWI’s next chairwoman and chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2017. Jackson was serving as senior vice president and general manager at HWI.
Delo retires after serving in several manufacturing and management roles for more than 30 years. Most recently he has been chairman and chief executive officer at HWI for three and one-half years. Previously, he held several progressive roles at Honeywell International, including leadership positions in chemicals, operating systems, and integrated supply chain.
Under Delo’s leadership at HWI, in less than four years, the company combined three of the top U.S. refractories companies together as one, and reorganized and rebranded as HarbisonWalker International. During that time, the organization restructured and built exceptional, high performing teams. Through the development of HarbisonWalker Business System (HBS), HWI began laying the groundwork for transformative changes in its approach to virtually every aspect of its business — from internal processes and structure to safety, quality, and performance.
In February 2017, HWI announced a $30 million investment to build a new, state-of-the-art monolithics plant in South Point, Ohio, that will be operational by early 2018.
“Steve has led us through monumental organizational changes, challenging market conditions, and numerous successes in less than four years,” Jackson said. “He has grounded the organization for its future by instituting values, processes, systems, a focus on safety, and cultural beliefs that are the foundation for the next chapter of this company’s 150-year legacy.”
Jackson, with support from the leadership team, is committed to delivering on HWI’s mission and achieving its vision. Guided by HWI’s cultural beliefs and company values, Jackson and the senior leadership team will work closely together to continue to build on the solid foundation of the past three years and effectively position HWI for growth.
“I’ve been privileged to help evolve this company alongside our intensely committed employees across North America and globally,” Delo said. “While I look forward to enjoying a long-awaited retirement, I’m extremely confident in the leadership of Carol Jackson as she assumes the role of chairman and CEO. Carol is a natural leader and manufacturing industry veteran and has played a key role in helping to run the company for the past three years. Her outstanding performance at HWI, along with a proven track record of success and prior significant leadership roles, all reinforced the Board’s unanimous agreement in this transition plan. HWI is in talented, capable hands.”
“I’m honored to be elected as the next chairman and CEO for HarbisonWalker International,” Jackson said. “Each day, our teams are working hard to produce and innovate, and they are an amazing group of people. As we drive forward, HWI will continue to evolve for future growth by building on the strong foundation we’ve all been creating together.”
