Kathy Watson has served as both the vice president of supply chain management and product manager for nine years at Nailite International in Miami. Nailite pioneered injection molded polypropylene siding that replicates real cedar and masonry products in easy-to-install panelized systems.
Watson oversees all supply chain activities, from procurement and customer service to shipping, while also heading up the product management group that designs and develops new products for the building materials market. She was instrumental in implementing a change in plastics formulation and processing that netted Nailite savings of about $1 million in 2004.
Prior to working for Nailite International, Watson was director of materials for Lambda Novatronics Inc. in Pompano Beach, Fla. During her 12-year tenure there, she held several different positions related to supply chain management. She led the implementation of a paperless purchasing and just-in-time inventory control system. As part of this lean manufacturing initiative, Watson played a lead role in supporting the installation of a pull manufacturing system that enabled level loading on the factory floor.
Her experience and knowledge of manufacturing and material has come from the 30 years she had spent in several different manufacturing companies. Her background includes military electronics and computer manufacturing, plastics and metal forming manufacturing, as well as spending several years working in the telecommunications field.