Charles W. Thiele, who started making plastics equipment in his basement and then merged his company with Motan GmbH in 1987, has left Motan to start his own business consulting firm.
Thiele's last day at Motan Inc. in Plainwell, Mich., was July 1. His new company is called Thiele Development Strategies in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Thiele, 57, is selling his equity position in the firm. He will continue as a consultant to Motan.
He said his firm will help companies do market development, employee training and other functions. He will focus on manufacturers and start-up companies.
``I'm leaving Motan on the best of terms,'' Thiele said.
Motan makes resin conveying, blending and drying equipment.
Thiele, who had a background in conveying equipment with AEC/Whitlock, started his business, Kenn-Vey Systems Inc., in the early 1980s, working in his basement in Kalamazoo. He developed a patented, filterless vacuum receiver. In 1987, he merged the company with the German auxiliary equipment maker Motan GmbH.
Bill Myers, vice president and general manager, has been named to lead Motan in Michigan.
Motan also has hired Michael Wagner to fill a new position of vice president of sales and marketing. Wagner's most recent post was sales manager at injection press supplier Arburg Inc. He also has worked at auxiliary equipment maker Conair Group.