January 1, 2016
Southwire Company announced that Rich Stinson has assumed the role of president and chief executive officer effective January 1.
Stinson becomes Southwire’s fourth CEO in its 65-year history. He succeeds Stu Thorn, who led the company’s day-to-day operations for 16 years.
HVACR industry professionals know Southwire for its full line of wire and cable products designed to meet the HVACR industry's wide range of needs.
“Southwire is committed to sustainable growth, where it makes sense, in the global wire and cable market. Stu has done a great job of finding those growth opportunities and capitalizing on them,” said Southwire Chairman Roy Richards, Jr. “Rich brings a unique perspective on our industry, along with an intimate knowledge of our products and customers. Together, those provide strong platform from which he will lead our company as we enter a new area of delivering power throughout the world.”
Stinson has more than 30 years experience in the electric industry. He joined Southwire on Oct. 15 as the company’s president, following his retirement in September from Eaton Corporation, where he was responsible for a large business group with seven divisions. The group offered a comprehensive portfolio of services for every stage of a power system’s life cycle, including design, build and support.
Stinson earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, then started his career in Westinghouse’s Manufacturing Development Program for projects in Puerto Rico.There, he served in multiple disciplines such as engineering, manufacturing and supply chain before joining Eaton.
Stinson served in a variety of roles at Eaton, including plant manager, operations director and general manager of various facilities in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan. As a vice president, he managed Eaton’s power distribution assembly, industrial controls, electrical assembly and power distribution divisions.
Stinson guided Eaton to double-digit growth in different businesses and guided various company segments into top market positions. It was during that time that he developed a respect for Southwire’s commitment to quality and corporate responsibility.
“As a partner in the electrical industry, I observed Southwire for much of my career, and grew to respect the company as a leading innovator — in products and services and in an enduring commitment to its communities,” said Stinson, who has relocated from Pittsburg to Southwire’s home base of west Georgia.
“In my short time here, I have witnessed first-hand Southwire’s genuine family culture as well as its close connections with the customers and communities it serves. I look forward to working alongside the other nearly 7,000 Southwire family members as we build upon that legacy,” Stinson said.
southwire.com
