M A Management Sales
Resume:
BRADLEY J. HARTSELL
*** ***** ****, **********, ** 39759 Mobile 224-***-**** ***************@*******.***
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
P&L and Operations Management Sales and Marketing Strategies Joint Venture/WOFE Startup
M&A Process, Productivity & Efficiency Improvement Workflow Solutions TS16949/ISO14001
Health, Safety and Environment Focus Team Motivation and Leadership Contract Negotiations LEAN implementation
Chapter 11/363 sale Client Relationship Management Chinese and Japanese Language and Cultural Understanding
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Led international manufacturing company through significant environmental and legal challenges, consistently made necessary
changes to improve P&L and business performance, including the expansion of a revolutionary manufacturing process, however
legal claims resulted in the parent company’s board decision to file Chapter 11 and sell both the Italian and US operations through
a 363 sale.
• Transformed struggling business into a profitable operation within one year. Drafted and implemented corrective strategy which
included right-sizing the company, redesign of product portfolio, increasing sales, reducing expenses through operational
efficiencies, renegotiating key vendor contracts, reducing customer write-offs and renegotiating line of credit
• Developed successful, high performing teams through leadership by example, coaching and mentoring
• Collaborated with industry partners and end-users to innovate products for market
• Influenced customer generating the single largest sales contract in company history forecast to be worth more than $500 million
and led the global cross function engineering/product development and project management team for the project
• Established 75%/25% US-Chinese Joint Venture; led the company through transition from JV to Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise
(WOFE). Built up Joint Venture team and increased revenue from $0 to more than $15million
• Researched and investigated markets to include customers, competitive landscape, market size and supply base as well as
identification of potential JV/M&A partners.
• Provided due diligence leadership in acquisition of targeted $100million company; drafted post acquisition North American Growth
and Manufacturing Strategy
• Managed the transfer of manufacturing technology including production machinery and processes.
• Developed and successfully implemented exit strategy including, government and employee negotiations, repatriation of assets,
sale of factory and deregistration in less than 12 months and savings of more than $1million.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Water Gremlin Company (Dec 2021 – Feb 2024)
Water Gremlin was wholly owned by Okabe, Holding Co. wholly owned by Okabe, Ltd. of Japan supplying battery terminal solutions to global lead-acid
battery manufacturers.
President
• Full P&L responsibility
• Develop and implement profitable plan to increase revenue, market share and profit margins
• Prepare the operating budget and manage the business within those fiscal plans.
• Communicate relentlessly with all levels of the organization.
• Build company image by collaborating with customers, suppliers and employees; enforcing ethical and safe business practices
• Develop talents necessary to obtain short- and long-range goals by effective direction, counseling, and training. Approve
organization structure and manning requirements.
• Lead all staff in the management of their assigned areas to ensure that their responsibilities to attain objectives and satisfactory
operation and performance are met.
• Develop and implement analytical reporting tools to evaluate and monitor the business.
• Promote the organization in industry and trade associations.
• Liaison to the environmental regulatory agencies
• Coordinate and conduct market analysis with the sales department and research necessary to gain comprehensive knowledge of
the competitors' strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages.
• Oversee the revision of the company’s outdated website.
• Engage a firm to create video profiles of employees and highlight the company; increase public awareness of Water Gremlin
• Promote Continuous Improvement; at all levels of the business, drive the organization for ongoing productivity, customer
satisfaction and profitability improvement.
• Active in the decision-making process working with Japanese Board of Directors to determine the best course of action.
• Work with legal, finance, investment banking, public relations in the lead up to and through Chapter 11 filing and 363 sales
process.
• Oversee creation of the virtual data room.
• Held virtual townhall for potential buyers.
• Prepare sites and host numerous visits by potential buyers both domestically and in Italy.
• Respond to numerous informational requests post site visits by potential buyers.
• Successful exit from Chapter 11 and sale of both manufacturing operations.
Okabe Company, Incorporated (April 2019 – Dec 2021)
Okabe Company is wholly owned by Okabe, Ltd of Japan supplying a variety of fastener solutions to the commercial vehicle, trailer, bus and other
markets.
President
• Full P&L responsibility
• Develop and implement profitable growth plan to increase revenue, market share and profit margins
• Prepare the operating budget and manage the business within those fiscal plans.
• Communicate relentlessly with all levels of the organization.
• Build company image by collaborating with customers, suppliers and employees; enforcing ethical and safe business practices
• Develop talents necessary to obtain short- and long-range goals by effective direction, counseling, and training. Approve
organization structure and manning requirements.
• Lead all staff in the management of their assigned areas to ensure that their responsibilities to attain objectives and satisfactory
operation and performance are met.
• Develop and implement analytical reporting tools to evaluate and monitor the business
• Promote the organization in industry and trade associations.
• Develop and implement product marketing strategies incorporating customer needs, competitive assessments, and strategies to
drive differentiation and promote our value proposition.
• Coordinate and conduct market analysis and research necessary to gain comprehensive knowledge of the competitors' strengths,
weaknesses, and competitive advantages
• Promote Continuous Improvement; at all levels of the business, drive the organization for ongoing productivity, customer
satisfaction and profitability improvement.
CHANGXING WATER GREMLIN NON-FERROUS COMPANY (Oct 2017 – April 2019)
Changxing Water Gremlin is one of the global operations of US based Water Gremlin Company engaged in the design and manufacture of components
for lead-acid battery manufacturers. Water Gremlin is a company wholly owned by Okabe, Holding Co. which is wholly owned by Okabe, Ltd. of Japan
and is part of the Okabe International portfolio of companies.
Executive Vice President
• Full P&L responsibility
• Discovered significant environmental issues at posting, reported same and worked with the Japanese Board of Directors to
determine the best course of action.
• Led the investigation to identify solutions so as to be able to continue to operate the business.
• Following the board’s decision, successfully closed down the operation; negotiated with local CCP officials and the unionized labor
force.
• Repatriated the entire manufacturing operation.
• Successfully found a buyer for the land use rights and the building.
HARTSELL GLOBAL CONSULTING SERVICES (May 2016 – Sept 2017)
A senior executive of boutique consultancy providing expertise to Private Equity and Strategic Buyers on acquisitions, divestitures, post-merger
integrations, global growth strategies and channels to market in emerging economies specializing in the Asia Pacific region. Offerings include advising
CEOs, serving in an interim senior executive capacity and/or as an active board member.
Chief Executive Officer and President
• FULL P&L RESPONSIBILITY
• SUCCESSFUL ACQUISITION: Senior Advisor to Suprajit (global provider of automotive/non-automotive control cables, lighting and
engineering services to leading global OEMs) throughout the due diligence process responsible for evaluating sales, technical and
operational processes and systems, plant, equipment and personnel.
Successfully acquired USD$100million targeted company.
• POST ACQUISITION: Drafted North American Automotive Growth and Manufacturing Strategy
SCHMITZ DONG FENG VEHICLE COMPANY LIMITED (June 2015-May 2016)
Subsidiary of Schmitz Cargobull (Leading European manufacturer of semi-trailers)
Subsidiary of Dong Feng Commercial Vehicle (Leading Chinese manufacturer of commercial vehicles)
Chief Executive Officer
Selected from final global pool of 4 candidates to lead struggling 50%/50% Chinese-German Joint Venture in Wuhan, China..
• FULL P&L RESPONSIBILITY
• BUSINESS ASSESSMENT: Carefully analyzed the internal and external strengths/weaknesses and risks of the company focusing
on the short and long term financial plans/objectives, operations, quality, supply chain, HSE, IT infrastructure, policies and
procedures, organizational structure, senior management business acumen and general day to day business activities.
Evaluated the company’s products, brand, market positioning, the competitive landscape and sales organization
through direct and extensive field work meeting with potential customers and dealers
• TURNAROUND STRATEGY: Based on detailed analysis drafted and presented for Board of Directors approval a comprehensive
strategic plan, “Realign; Right Size and Win!” with corresponding annual budget and 5-year projected business plan.
Implement the approved strategy resulting in:
400% YoY growth in sales
Reorganization of the management structure and reduced head count
Re-engineered product portfolio
Negotiated long term working capital bank loan
Improved procedures and processes
Annual savings of more than USD$1,000,000.00.
KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE INC. (June 2013- June 2015)
Driver Control Systems Business Area
Director, Sales North America
Responsible for all aspects of leading the NA Sales Team including: sales growth strategies, budgeting; forecasting; assigning and evaluating
Key Performance Indices (KPI); participation in annual corporate strategic planning; preparing market studies, reports and other information as
requested
• REORGANIZATION/RENEWED FOCUS: Recruited, reorganized and renewed the focus of the N. American sales team, traveled
75% of the time with sales staff training, mentoring, cold calling and conducting “lunch and learn” promotional events with customer
engineering departments
• GROWTH STRATEGY: Formulated market attack/growth strategy identifying key targets in both On-Hwy (automotive, heavy duty
truck and bus OEMs) and Off-Hwy (construction and AG equipment OEMs)
Initiated contact with prospect and led the global cross functional engineering team resulting in the single largest sales
contract in company history forecast to be worth more than USD $500 million over the life of the 5-year Long Term Supply
Agreement.
Negotiated Commercial Supply Contract
KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE, INC. (Jan 2008- June 2013)
Note: Kongsberg Automotive acquired Teleflex, Inc.’s global GMS assets in 2007
Executive General Manager Shanghai Kongsberg Automotive-Lone Star Cable Co., Ltd.
Director, Company Board of Directors
Responsible for managing a facility employing more than 180 employees reporting to the division President. Annual Sales: USD$10 million.
• FULL P&L RESPONSIBILITY
• DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS:
Led all functional department managers (Finance/Accounting, Sales, Quality, Warehouse & Logistics,
Production, HR, Administration, IT, Purchasing, Engineering and Product Development, HSE, Manufacturing
Engineering and Production)
Developed and managed operational budgets.
Negotiated with local union leadership
Oversaw the successful certification in quality and environmental standards and practices of TS16949 and
certification in ISO 14001
Championed LEAN training and practices resulting in process improvements and budgetary savings
Developed and implemented standardized work practices, measures and reporting to monitor progress and
to execute the overall global standardization effort.
Initiated and directed improvements in HSE; led Safety Committee
Worked closely with USA headquarters to manage product, manufacturing process and technology transfer
and coordinated manpower training and recruitment.
Worked with sales to research domestic markets currently not served and prepared and implemented sales
plans resulting in core business growth. Increased annual sales revenue from USD$6.0 million to USD$10
million
Drafted and executed annual growth strategy aligned with corporate 5year plan.
Established annual targets and KPIs in line with corporate plans; cascaded them to all staff and tracked
performance
Developed and maintained strategic customer, partner and supplier relationships in various Asian countries.
Developed annual sales forecasts and closely monitored the progress. Exceeded forecast budgets each
year since start up.
• FROM JV to WFOE: Managed the organization through the tumultuous transition from a joint venture organization to a wholly
owned foreign enterprise (WOFE).
Stabilized and rebuilt the China operation-recruited all new functional department managers and conducted
on-boarding procedures bring them up to speed as quickly as possible
Negotiated with the local and upper union representatives
Established annual targets and KPIs in line with corporate plans; cascaded them to all staff and tracked
performance
Conducted performance reviews for managers
Mentored managers to facilitate their growth and groom them for advancement in line with succession
planning
Successfully groomed my replacement per succession plans
TELEFLEX, INCORPORATED (Jan 1995 –Dec 2007)
Teleflex at the time was a highly diversified global leader in the manufacture and sale of products for the automotive, industrial, marine and aerospace
markets with annual sales of USD $1.2 billion. Assignment locations: Selmer, Tennessee and Shanghai, China
Director of Business Development, Asia-Pacific Teleflex Dong Feng Morse (Jan 2006 -Jan 2007)
• RESPONSIBILITIES: work with and assist sister JV company to target, grow and manage new business development in Asia
within the heavy-duty truck, bus, construction and agricultural vehicle markets
Vice General Manager, Asia Shanghai Teleflex Lone Star Cable Company (Jan 2003 - Dec 2007)
• JOINT P&L RESPONSIBILITY
• DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS: Responsible for working with and assisting Chinese JV partners to grow and manage the
organization of 150 employees while leading domestic and export sales and growth efforts Sales~USD$6.0 million.
Increased sales revenue from USD$500,000 to USD$6.0 million
Assisted in drafting and executing annual growth strategy aligned with corporate 5year plan.
Established annual sales targets and KPIs in line with corporate plans; cascaded them to all staff and
tracked performance
Developed and managed department budgets.
Developed and implemented standardized work practices, measures and reporting to monitor progress and
to execute the overall global standardization effort.
Oversaw the successful certification in quality standards and practices of TS16949
Worked with sales to research domestic markets currently not served and prepared and implemented sales
plans resulting in core business growth.
Worked closely with USA headquarters to manage product, manufacturing process and technology transfer
and coordinated manpower training and recruitment.
Initiated and directed improvements in HSE; led Safety Committee
Developed and maintained strategic customer, partner and supplier relationships in various Asian countries.
Negotiated key sales and supplier contracts.
Developed annual sales forecasts and closely monitored the progress. Exceeded forecast budgets each
year since start up.
Mentored junior managers to facilitate their growth and groom them for advancement in line with succession
planning; assigned KPI and conducted performance reviews.
Business Development Manager, China Capro, Inc.-Division of Teleflex (Jan 2001- Jan 2003)
RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION: Responsible for researching and investigating the Chinese automotive and commercial
vehicle market to include customers, competitive landscape, market size, supply base and identification of potential JV
partners.
Initiated sales activities in Asia.
Successfully managed the transfer of manufacturing technology from NA to China fully supporting US based
customer’s transplant operations.
Identified, contracted and led outsourced research assistance from project definition, bid negotiation through
project completion.
Traveled extensively throughout China to learn about the markets, competitors and supply base first hand.
Prepared and delivered detailed market analysis to senior management.
Served as the bridge between USA based customers and their Chinese JV operations growing sales in
China and the USA.
ESTABLISHED JOINT VENTURE: Identified and cultivated the relationships with potential JV partners
(“guanxi”).
Developed short list of potential JV partners and introduced them to senior management
Served as senior on site representative and was directly involved in the establishment of the joint venture
partnership and legal business entity
Appointed Vice General Manager in 75%/25% US-China Joint Venture Company, Lone Star.
PREVIOUS ROLES
CAPRO, INC, Selmer, Tennessee Capro, Inc. - Teleflex Commercial Division (Jan 1996- Jan 2001)
Capro, Inc is an internationally recognized manufacturer of mechanical control systems for the automotive, heavy-duty truck, bus, construction and
agricultural vehicle market.
Sales Manager
CLARIN SEATING COMPANY, Lake Bluff, Illinois (Sept 1993 – Dec 1995)
Clarin Seating is an internationally recognized manufacturer of stadium and arena seating. They specialize in sideline logo seating for collegiate and
National Basketball Association teams.
Director of Sales and Marketing
INTERKAL, Inc., Kalamazoo, Michigan (June 1991-Sept 1993)
Interkal is a Japanese owned and internationally recognized manufacturer of stadium and telescopic
bleacher seating.
National Sales Manager
EDUCATION
• UNION UNIVERSITY- MBA, Jackson, Tennessee
• UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-Bachelor of Arts, Ann Arbor, Michigan
MILITARY SERVICE
• United Sates Marine Corps Staff Sergeant (1978-1988)
• Cryptographic Electronic Repair Technician
• Discharge: Honorable
OTHER INFORMATION
• Featured in three episodes of FOXNEWS’ “War Stories with Lt. Colonel Oliver North”
• Served as an historical consultant during the production of Miramax Films’, The Great Raid and during the production on
HBO/Playtone/Dreamworks’ production, The Pacific.
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