Charter Manufacturing Enters Fourth Generation of Family Leadership
02/11/2013 - Charter Manufacturing Co. announced chairman and CEO John A. Mellowes will step down from his day-to-day duties in July as his two sons take on the top leadership roles with the company.
Charter Manufacturing Co., a privately held provider of quality steel and steel components, announced chairman and chief executive officer John A. Mellowes will step down from his day-to-day duties in July as his two sons take on the top leadership roles with the company. As part of a planned succession, John W. Mellowes, currently vice president and general manager of the company’s Charter Steel division, will become CEO of Charter Manufacturing. Charles A. Mellowes will become Charter Manufacturing’s board chairman and maintain his responsibilities as the company’s vice president of strategic planning and business development.
John A. Mellowes, who followed his father, Charles N. Mellowes, into the company and is the grandson of Charter founder Alfred Mellowes, will remain on Charter Manufacturing’s Board of Directors as chairman emeritus. Tom Glaister will continue as the company’s president and chief operating officer.
“The time is right to move to the next generation of family leadership at Charter Manufacturing, and this sibling partnership positions us to be a stronger, better company with a solid record of accomplishment and an unwavering will to grow,” John A. Mellowes said.
“This is a significant milestone for our family-owned company, and I am confident that the fourth generation of Mellowes leadership will be Charter’s best. I also could not be more proud of both of them.”
John W. Mellowes said that the family and Charter have planned this transition for a long time and intend to make it as seamless as possible.
“The heritage of our family-owned company is built on the principles of forward thinking, leadership and respect for people,” he said. “My brother and I share a strong commitment to continuing Charter’s culture, solid values and high standards. To that end, nothing will change.”
The succession announcement comes on the heels of Charter Manufacturing’s December 2012 acquisition of Dura-Bar and Dura-Bar Metal Services. As a result of the purchase, Charter added a fourth division focusing on specialty iron bar to its family of companies, which also includes Charter Steel, Charter Wire and Charter Automotive.
“My brother and I are honored to have this opportunity to continue to grow and guide the Charter family of companies,” said Charles A. Mellowes. “As we take on roles once held by our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, we feel a strong sense of responsibility, of history and of accountability to our customers, employees and everyone who works with Charter. We believe that Charter is well-positioned for the decades ahead.”
Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc. with sales of approximately US$1.2 billion, operates ten plants and has nearly 2000 employees world-wide. John A. Mellowes has been employed by the company for 48 years; the last 30 years as CEO.
The succession plan, which has been approved by Charter Manufacturing’s Board of Directors, formally takes effect 26 July 2013.
