Doncasters Appoints Divisional Chief Executive - Power Systems
The Doncasters Group has announced the appointment of Paul Strothers as Divisional Chief Executive - Power Systems. He will be operationally responsible for approximately 75% of the Doncasters Group, his remit encompassing the aerospace, industrial gas turbine (IGT) and super alloy activities.
His initial focus will be on the continued development and empowerment of a highly motivated and capable team and creating an integrated operating model to better leverage synergies between businesses. He will also concentrate on the acceleration of Lean as a basis for improving operational performance and a platform for long term success and growth.
An experienced Managing Director having spent over 20 years in aerospace equipment design, manufacturing and support, Paul Strothers is joining from Smiths Aerospace Systems.
Commenting on his appointment Strothers said: "I am excited to be joining Doncasters at this pivotal moment in the Group's history. The aerospace and IGT sectors are currently both growth markets, which, combined with the platform provided by Dubai International Capital, means we are well placed to significantly grow the business."
Eric J. Lewis, CEO, of the Doncasters Group, added: "We are delighted to have appointed Paul. He has an impressive track record and a clear understanding of the challenges and issues faced by our business and his knowledge of the aerospace industry will ensure Power Systems achieves its goals. It's testimony to the success of the Group that we've have been able to secure his services and his appointment further strengthens our management team.
"As we move forward we are looking to grow our business both organically and via acquisition, primarily in the US but also in the UK. Paul has a track record in successfully completing and embedding this type of activity and so is a crucial addition to our management team."
Prior to joining the Doncasters Group, Strothers was Vice President, Programmes, at Smiths Aerospace Systems, which employs 11,000 people worldwide.
From 2001 to 2004 he was Managing Director of Smiths Aerospace Mechanical Systems, where he was responsible for seven business units employing 3,000 in 11 UK and US operations. While in this post, he created a market / product focused organisation, which enabled further significant contract awards on new platforms. He also led the acquisition of a $60m turnover aerospace equipment company and commenced the integration and consolidation activities.
From 1996 to 2001 Strothers was Managing Director of Smiths Aerospace Wolverhampton, a £42m turnover autonomous business. He led the business through a major growth period, increasing sales from £23m to £42m, introduced Lean and performance improvement programmes and implemented a fully integrated business system.
Smiths Aerospace Wolverhampton was previously Dowty Aerospace Wolverhampton, a company Paul Strothers joined as a sponsored student apprentice in 1978.
Born in 1960, Paul is married with two children and enjoys playing squash and watching football. He has a first class BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering.
The Doncasters Group is a leading international manufacturer that supplies precision components and assemblies to the aerospace, power generation, specialty automotive and medical orthopaedic industries. Doncasters excels in working with alloys and metals that are difficult to shape and form.
The company's unparalleled range of products and processes has been developed to offer customers a broad, vertically integrated capability. Core manufacturing processes include precision casting, forging, fabrication, machining and production of superalloys.
Key products include airfoils, structures, casings, rings, exhausts and combustion components for gas turbine applications, aerostructures and components for airframe applications, femoral knees, tibial trays, humeral stems, femoral hips and bone plates for orthopaedic applications and compressor and turbine wheels for the turbocharger market. The company offers well-developed supply chain integration solutions, delivering complex assemblies and engine-ready components to its customers.
Doncasters employs some 4,700 people at over 20 sites across Europe, the USA and Mexico. The Group has institutionalised lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles throughout its operations.
For more information contact:
Caroline Gamble, Doncasters Group Ltd.
T: 44 (0) 1332 864900
cgamble@doncasters.com
