TricorBraun Appoints Kevin Weadick as New President and CEO to Drive Future Growth
TricorBraun Welcomes Kevin Weadick as New President and CEO
In a significant leadership change, TricorBraun, a global leader in packaging solutions, has announced the appointment of Kevin Weadick as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, set to take office on May 5, 2025. This transition marks an exciting chapter in TricorBraun's history as Weadick steps in to lead the organization in delivering strong performance and innovation.
Weadick succeeds Court Carruthers, who is retiring after an accomplished eight-year tenure at the helm. Carruthers will continue to lend his expertise to the company as Vice President and will remain part of the board to ensure a smooth transition.
Keith Strope, Executive Chairman at TricorBraun, expressed enthusiasm about Weadick's new role, stating that his extensive experience and proven track record in guiding high-growth companies will be invaluable. Strope stated, "Kevin's leadership skills and supply chain expertise across various sectors are in line with our aggressive growth objectives and commitment to providing superior service to our clients." He also extended his gratitude to Carruthers for his significant contributions to the company during his leadership.
Kevin Weadick, prior to joining TricorBraun, was the CEO of FleetPride, one of North America's largest distributors of truck and trailer parts. He boasts a rich background in leadership roles at Grainger, where he effectively managed operations in both North America and Europe. Notably, he also served as the President of Zoro, Grainger's rapidly growing technology-focused procurement division tailored for small to medium enterprises in North America. Weadick has a degree from the University of Wisconsin and began his career with PwC.
In an official statement, Weadick expressed his excitement about taking the helm at TricorBraun, stating, "I am honored to join TricorBraun at such an exciting time in the company's journey. This company prides itself on its rich heritage, culture, and an incredibly talented team. Moving forward, I will work diligently to leverage the great momentum already in place to drive strong and sustainable growth, deliver exceptional service to our customers, and continue investing in building the best team in packaging. I am thrilled about the opportunities ahead and look forward to shaping the next chapter of growth and innovation alongside the team and our investors."
During Carruthers' leadership, TricorBraun experienced remarkable growth, tripling its revenue and EBITDA, completing 30 acquisitions, and expanding its market reach into both Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. Under his guidance, the company has successfully penetrated new sectors including aluminum boxes, industrial containers, and flexible packaging. He was instrumental in executing the strategic sale of the company from AEA Investors to Ares Private Equity and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in 2021, with AEA retaining a minority stake.
Reflecting on his tenure, Carruthers stated, "It has been a privilege to serve alongside such an exceptional and dedicated group of 2,300 TricorBraun team members over the past eight years. I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together and excited about what the future holds for the company. I've known Kevin for over 15 years and look forward to supporting him, along with the entire team at TricorBraun, in this important new phase of our journey."
Natasha Li, a partner at Ares, and Ashfaq Qadri, managing director at Ontario Teachers', lauded Carruthers for his remarkable leadership, particularly in fostering a culture that emphasizes service excellence, which has been critical to TricorBraun's success over nearly 125 years. They also expressed enthusiasm for Weadick's arrival and confidence in his ability to leverage his global distribution experience to continue driving TricorBraun's growth trajectory.
About TricorBraun: Founded in 1902, TricorBraun stands as a global leader in packaging, leveraging its vast scale, broad expertise, and unparalleled innovation to solve complex packaging challenges for clients, assisting them in gaining market presence. With over 2,300 packaging professionals situated across more than 100 locations worldwide, TricorBraun is backed by Ares, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, and AEA Investors.