NEW YORK — Mack Molding Inc.'s Southern division president and plastics industry veteran Ray Burns will retire Sept. 1, the company announced June 10 at the MD&M East conference and trade show in New York.
Burns has led Mack's Southern operations, which includes injection molding facilities in Inman, S.C., and Statesville, S.C., for 17 years. He joined Mack in 1981 as an account manager at the company's Arlington, Vt., location, his career growing along with the company, including stints as vice president of sales and vice president and general manager of the Southern division.
He has also served on the boards of directors of Mack Molding Co. and Mack Group and been involved with the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. Before coming to Mack, Burns worked in both sales and finance at Nypro Inc.
“Our Southern division has enjoyed tremendous growth under Ray's guidance,” said Mack President and CEO Don Kendall. “He is leaving on a very high note, with sales currently at an all-time high. I know I speak for the entire Mack family when I say that we have greatly appreciated Ray's commitment, both to Mack and the plastics industry.”
Bryan Campbell, Mack North headquarters plant manager, will replace Burns upon his departure this fall. Campbell is shadowing Burns this summer, said Jeff Somple, Mack Northern division president.
Campbell joined Mack in 2008 as a program manager, working primarily with medical OEMs, taking on the plant manager role just one year later.
“[Campbell] brings a combination of sales and operational experience to his new role, not to mention boundless energy,” Somple said.
Campbell is being replaced as plant manager in the Arlington, Vt., facility by Rich Hornby, who moves up from the post of program manager in Mack's orthopedics and disposable medical devices business unit.
Hornby honed his logistical and leadership skills in the U.S. Air Force, first at the U.S. Air Force Academy and later managing more than 500 people and supervising more than 100 combat convoys, including assignments in Afghanistan and Germany. After 12 years of service, Hornby left the Air Force a major and remains an Air Force reservist.
Hornby was able to shadow Campbell for a month before Campbell headed south to shadow Burns.
“For Mack, this is a lot of change,” Somple said. “But it's good change. We're always looking for the next generation of leaders, and it's nice when we're able to find them right at home. We know what we're getting into with them and they know what they're getting into with us.”