Posted by Jessica Gentile on Thu, Dec 15, 2011 @ 09:48 AM
Rising Labor Costs and Quality Concerns Have Companies
Reevaluating Overseas Strategies
CHICAGO – December 15, 2011 – According to a survey conducted by Cook Associates Executive Search (www.cookassociates.com/executive-search), a leader in retained executive search, 85 percent of manufacturing executives see the possibility of certain manufacturing operations returning to the U.S., with 37 percent citing overseas costs as the major factor. Nineteen percent cited logistics and 36 percent stipulated other reasons, including economic/political issues, quality and safety concerns, patriotism and overseas skills shortages for highly technical manufacturing processes.
Cook Associates Executive Search polled nearly 3,000 manufacturing executives primarily in small- to mid-sized U.S. companies from October 13 through November 18, 2011. Participants consisted of C-level executives (CEO, CFO, COO) and key functional Vice Presidents (Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain).The survey data was supplemented by written comments submitted by individual executives.
The survey identified low-volume, high-precision, high-mix operations, automated manufacturing and engineered products requiring technology improvements or innovation as the primary forms of manufacturing returning to the States. “With increased manufacturing here in the U.S., we would expect increasing demand for engineering, product development, operations and finance positions,” says Kevin Logterman, Managing Director, Industrial and Family Business for Cook. “We’ll also see demand increase for finance/accounting specialists (CFOs, Controllers) who understand overseas operations and are able to calculate the true costs for exporting since they are difficult to quantify.”
Logterman commented, “The executives we polled told us that wage inflation in traditional overseas venues, especially China, is changing the value proposition for American manufacturers. Once, costs were the primary driver for moving manufacturing offshore, but now companies are doing the math and thinking more about staying at home. Also, executives told us that because logistics are complex to begin with, the financial argument has to be compelling and the dynamics are changing.
“In order to stay competitive in a slow economy, respondents are focusing more on quality and customer service as differentiators, both of which are better managed domestically. They also said that skill sets for certain manufacturing functions are not readily available overseas -- China and Asia generally are unable to meet the demand for skilled workers. Finally, patriotism was cited as a factor as executives looked for a return to a ‘Made in America’ mentality in the U.S.”
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates Executive Search has thrived for more than 50 years because of its commitment to securing executive-level talent to drive corporate performance for clients. We specialize in recruiting key contributors that range from independent board directors to CEOs to functional VPs and other executives. Within their respective industries, our clients are innovators that span the gamut from Fortune 100 to early-stage companies, including publicly traded, family owned, private equity and venture capital backed companies. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com/executive-search.
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Tue, Nov 08, 2011 @ 06:00 AM
Search Firm Fills Mid-Market Need for Quality Board Services
CHICAGO – November 7, 2011 – Cook Associates Executive Search (www.cookassociates.com/executive-search), a leader in retained executive search, today announced the launch of its Board Advisory Services Practice and the appointment of Thames Fulton as Managing Director. Based in Cook’s Chicago headquarters, the Board Advisory Practice assists clients with board search, governance consulting, board analysis and assessment, development and succession planning. Fulton leads the practice and serves as a board and C-level advisor.
Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search, commented, “A gap has long existed in high quality board advisory services available for middle market companies in the $100 million to $5 billion revenue range. Too often these companies receive less than the high level of attention that search firms provide to their larger clients. We designed a comprehensive program to meet the needs of clients in this space, and we are confident that we have found the right person to lead it. We are delighted to introduce the Board Advisory Services Practice and Thames Fulton, who brings strong credentials and shares our commitment to building long-lasting customer relationships.”
Fulton has more than 10 years of experience executing board search and governance-based consulting engagements. Prior to joining Cook Associates, he served as a consultant with Heidrick & Struggles’ CEO & Board of Directors Practice, where he focused on corporate governance consulting and board director searches. Before Heidrick & Struggles, Fulton was with global search firm Russell Reynolds, where he was a key member of its CEO & Board Practice.
With a search practice spanning industrial manufacturing, consumer goods, retail and financial services, Fulton has assisted large global corporations, smaller mid-cap companies and private firms in developing and strengthening their corporate governance practices. His clients have included AGCO Corporation, Columbus McKinnon, UNUM Group, Jo-Ann Stores Inc. and General Cable Corporation.. Fulton holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary (www.cookassociates.com/50thanniversary) this year, Cook Associates Executive Search recently announced a 42 percent increase in revenue for the third quarter in 2011 compared to the same period a year ago.
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates Executive Search has thrived for more than 50 years because of its commitment to securing executive-level talent to drive corporate performance for clients. We specialize in recruiting key contributors that range from independent board directors to CEOs to functional VPs and other executives. Within their respective industries, our clients are innovators that span the gamut from Fortune 100 to early-stage companies, including publicly traded, family owned, private equity and venture capital backed companies. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com/executive-search.
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Mon, Nov 07, 2011 @ 09:36 AM
Seth Harris was quoted in a Human Resource Executive magazine article, Top of the Line, regarding attracting and retaining top talent in today's economy.
Click here to read the full story: Top of the Line
About Seth Harris:
Seth Harris is an Executive Vice President & Managing Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Boston office, and leads Cook's global Technology & Communications practice. Seth's expertise is helping growth companies build elite management teams. His clients range from prominent multinational corporations to portfolio companies of leading venture capital firms. Read more about Seth Harris
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Thu, Nov 03, 2011 @ 11:39 AM
Q3 YTD Up 39 Percent from Q3 ’10 YTD;
Company On Track to Exceed Revenue Targets
CHICAGO – October 31, 2011 – Cook Associates Executive Search (www.cookassociates.com/executive-search), a leading retained executive search firm, today announced results for its fiscal third quarter ended September 30, 2011, led by a 42 percent revenue increase in its search business compared to the same period last year. The company, which expects to fill 100 percent of its searches this year, also announced its search business revenue increased 39 percent for the nine months Year-To-Date in 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
Noted Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search and a 27-year veteran of the company, “Despite continuing uncertainty in the economy, our pipeline remains strong and confirmations continue to trend up as we approach the end of the year. We’re on track to beat our revenue targets and remain cautiously optimistic.”
Added Cook Associates Chairman John Kins, “Cook continues to execute strategic growth initiatives and will be looking to add additional consultants in key practice areas and geographies. Areas such as private equity, technology, business services, financial services and insurance, venture capital and industrial remain particularly strong for us.”
Cook Associates is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For more information about the company’s history, please visit www.cookassociates.com/50thanniversary
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates Executive Search has thrived for more than 50 years because of its commitment to securing executive-level talent to drive corporate performance for clients. We specialize in recruiting key contributors that range from independent board directors to CEOs to functional VPs and other executives. Within their respective industries, our clients are innovators that span the gamut from Fortune 100 to early-stage companies, including publicly traded, family owned, private equity and venture capital backed companies. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com.
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Wed, Oct 05, 2011 @ 03:44 PM
Search Veteran Brings Expertise in Consumer and
Commercial Banking, Wealth Management
CHICAGO – September 14, 2011 – Cook Associates Executive Search, a leader in retained executive search, today announced that Harry Wilson has joined the firm as a Managing Director.
Based in Charlotte, N.C., Wilson will support Cook’s Financial Services & Insurance practice, working closely with Practice Managing Director Kevin Parker. In particular, he will focus his search practice on the consumer and commercial banking and wealth management sectors, and on the functional areas of IT, accounting, internal audit and risk management.
“With more than 33 years of experience in both industry and executive search, Harry is more than qualified to leverage existing relationships to further expand Cook’s financial services footprint, particularly in strategic growth areas like the East Coast and Southeast markets,” said Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search. “We are pleased to welcome him to the Cook team.”
Wilson joins Cook from Freddie Mac, where he was Director of Executive Recruiting since 2006. He was Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Executive Recruiting at Wells Fargo (Wachovia/First Union) from 1993 to 2006 and Vice President and Director of Executive Recruiting at MNC Financial from 1990 to 1993.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Baltimore.
Since it was founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates has thrived because of its strong commitment to customer service and the high quality of its search professionals. The firm, consistently ranked among the top search firms, focuses on VP- and C-level searches for Fortune 50, Fortune 100 and mid-market public and private companies and also serves private equity- and venture capital-backed clients.
Cook Associates is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For more information about the company’s history, visit www.cookassociates.com/50thanniversary.
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Cook Associates provides retained executive search services to multinational corporations, early-stage entrepreneurial companies, midcap, privately held and family-owned businesses, as well as venture capital- and private equity-backed firms. The company’s reputation as a trusted business advisor is built on decades of successfully identifying and guiding clients to the right solutions to drive performance and gain competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com.
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Mon, Oct 03, 2011 @ 04:24 PM
Cook Associates Executive Search CEO Will Provide Comment and Analysis on Acquiring Executive Talent in a Time of Economic Crisis
CHICAGO – October 3, 2011 – Cook Associates Executive Search (www.cookassociates.com/executive-search), a leader in retained executive search, today announced that Chief Executive Officer Mary Kier will make presentations this week to business leaders in Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary.
Kier’s October 4 presentation at the American Chamber of Commerce in Vienna will be “Talent Acquisition in Today’s Economic Crisis.”
Her October 6 presentation at UniCredit Bank in Budapest will be “What Qualities Executives Need in the Post-Crisis Environment.”
“We are faced, globally, with a unique and unusual hiring environment today. That’s true in all economies, whether they are deep in uncertainty or slowly making their way out,” said Kier. “When hiring executives today, companies need to consider what specific leadership attributes are needed, how to evaluate true competencies, how hiring decisions have changed versus two to five years ago, and how morale in the workforce impacts retention.”
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates Executive Search has thrived for more than 50 years because of its commitment to securing executive-level talent to drive corporate performance for clients. We specialize in recruiting key contributors that range from independent board directors to CEOs to functional VPs and other executives. Within their respective industries, our clients are innovators that span the gamut from Fortune 100 to early-stage companies, including publicly traded, family owned, private equity and venture capital backed companies. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com.
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Thu, Sep 08, 2011 @ 11:21 AM
John Barrett, Managing Director, was quoted in The Wall Street Journal regarding Yahoo's next CEO in the wake of Carol Bartz's departure. Click here to read the article: Yahoo 'Numbers' Guy to Lead Web Giant Through Trying Period
About John Barrett:
John Barrett is Vice President & Managing Director. He is an expert in digital media, mobile services, financial technology, marketing services and business services. John’s clients include numerous private equity and venture-backed portfolio companies as well as high-growth Fortune 1000 companies, and he recruits at senior levels including CxO and functional Vice Presidents. Read more about John Barrett
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Wed, Aug 31, 2011 @ 03:22 PM
Cook Associates successfully completes COO/CMO search for Zmags. John Barrett and Jeff Leopold, both Managing Directors with Cook's Boston office, co-led the search. Click here to read the full article: Zmags names Ford COO, CMO
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 @ 09:53 AM
Seth Harris was quoted in a Chief Executive magazine article, Jobs Resignation Reignites Succession Debate, regarding Tim Cook's succession to Apple's chief.
Click here to read the full story: Jobs Resignation Reignites Succession Debate
About Seth Harris:
Seth Harris is an Executive Vice President & Managing Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Boston office, and leads Cook's global Technology & Communications practice. Seth's expertise is helping growth companies build elite management teams. His clients range from prominent multinational corporations to portfolio companies of leading venture capital firms. Read more about Seth Harris
Posted by Jessica Gentile on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 @ 09:48 AM
1H Search Revenue Up 37 Percent Year over Year, Up 131 Percent from 1H 2009;
Company On Track to Fill 100 Percent of Searches in 2011
CHICAGO – August 26, 2011 – Cook Associates Executive Search (www.cookassociates.com/executive-search), a leading retained executive search firm, today announced strong results for its fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2011, led by a 65 percent revenue increase in its search business compared to the same period last year. The company, which expects to fill 100 percent of its searches this year, also announced its search business revenue increased 37 percent year over year in 1H 2011 and 131 percent from 1H 2009.
Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search and a 27-year veteran of the company, noted, “After a thorough evaluation of our business in 2008, we made some tough decisions and laid the groundwork in 2009 and 2010 for a growth initiative focused on identifying and strengthening key practice areas and geographies and making strategic hires. The steps we’ve taken as a company over the last few years are paying off and have shown incredible dividends.”
Added Cook Associates Chairman John Kins, “Despite the current state of the economy, we have seen a significant increase in executive hiring, particularly in C-level hiring in the first half of 2011. We have a strong pipeline and Q3 is trending up as well – we’ve seen the strongest July and August since 2007. We are cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year.”
Since it was founded by executive search pioneer Ruth Cook in 1961, Cook Associates has thrived because of its strong commitment to customer service and the high quality of its search professionals. The firm, consistently ranked among the top search firms, focuses on VP- and C-level searches for Fortune 50, Fortune 100 and mid-market public and private companies and also serves private equity- and venture capital-backed clients.
Cook Associates is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For more information about the company’s history, please visit www.cookassociates.com/50thanniversary
About Cook Associates Executive Search
Cook Associates Executive Search provides retained executive search services to multinational corporations, early-stage entrepreneurial companies, midcap, privately- and family-held businesses, as well as venture capital- and private equity-backed firms. The company’s reputation as a trusted business advisor is built on decades of successfully identifying and guiding clients to the right solutions to drive performance and gain competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.cookassociates.com.