Taylor Made Systems names new personnel
GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. – Taylor Made Systems has promoted Mike Sturm to vice president of engineering and appointed Rick Johnson to director of fabric operations, the company said in a press release yesterday.
A seasoned professional with a 29-year tenure at Taylor Made Systems, Sturm has a comprehensive knowledge of the company’s many product lines and extensive clientele.
After graduating from Oneonta State University in 1977, Sturm was hired as a member of the engineering team at the Taylor Made Systems’ factory in Gloversville, N.Y. There, he gained hands-on experience designing and producing prototypes for customers. In the mid-80s he headed the prototype department, and in 1998 was named director of engineering, giving him design and new product development oversight for Taylor Made Systems worldwide.
“[Sturm] will provide the leadership to further unify and expand our engineering offices, ensuring the long-term development of new and innovative products and bolstering our ability to provide on-site engineering services for our customers – a necessity in this ever-changing industry,” said Al Petit, Taylor Made Systems president.
Johnson, who served for more than 12 years as General Manager of Taylor Made Systems Georgia, played a key role in opening the initial facility in Tifton, Ga. in 1994. In the ensuing years, Johnson was instrumental in growing the number of associates by more than tenfold and relocating the business to a newer, much larger complex. He also supervised adding a canvas department to that facility in 1997. As director of fabric operations, Johnson will manage and lead in engineering and producing all the fabric products for Taylor Made Systems worldwide.
“Rick Johnson is well prepared to initiate significant upgrades and improvements in our fabric division,” Petit said. “He has been certified by Perry Johnson, Inc. as an ISO lead auditor and is well trained in lean manufacturing principles. This move will allow us to establish even more stringent, uniform quality standards for our fabric teams.”
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