The Knowledge Base: The Era of Advanced Packaging
Standard of Excellence: Finding and Developing Future Leaders in Manufacturing
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Navigating the Variables of Holiday Schedules in Global Sourcing
Libra Industries Promotes Jim Kircher to CEO with Retirement of Rod Howell
April 14, 2021 | Libra IndustriesEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Libra Industries, a privately-held systems integration and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, has named Jim Kircher as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Kircher has held various executive positions within the contract manufacturing industry for the past 20 years and has more than 30 years of experience in various technical industrial manufacturing positions. He has distinguished himself in key roles with Jabil Circuit – where he held multiple leadership positions across 10 years and as a Vice President with Flextronics.
Prior to joining Libra Industries in October 2020 as President, Kircher was the Chief Commercial Officer of Faulhaber US. He has a proven track record of creating customer-centric EMS organizations that execute successful growth strategies serving customers that require highly engineered, integrated systems. Kircher stated, “I am elated to join an agile-thinking, vertically integrated, EMS business with a world-class suite of capabilities and managers focused on solving the complex manufacturing needs of Fortune 500 customers. I look forward to being a part of the growth of this unique enterprise.”
Kircher succeeds Rod Howell, the founder of Libra Industries. Howell started in the industry working with his father machining customized fasteners. Later, he moved into selling industrial diamond cutting tools. In 1980, Howell and his brother, Chris, founded Libra Industries. Over the next 40 years, Howell led the successful growth of Libra into a world-class EMS contract manufacturer.
In 2019, Howell sold a majority of Libra to CapitalWorks. In 2020, he led the merger of Libra with GEM City Engineering and Manufacturing and also led the acquisition of the former Benchmark Technologies facility in Guaymas, Mexico. Howell will remain an owner and board member. He stated, “Libra is in a great position and in great hands for a transition. I am proud of our accomplishments, but even more excited about the future of this incredible business.”
Todd Martin, Managing Director and President of CapitalWorks, expressed his gratitude toward Howell’s “leadership and partnership” while welcoming Jim Kircher as the “right leader for the next generation of Libra.”
Libra Industries continues to invest to provide customized manufacturing solutions to help make its customers more competitive and improve their profitability.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Intervala Hosts Employee Car and Motorcycle Show, Benefit Nonprofits
08/27/2024 | IntervalaIntervala hosted an employee car and motorcycle show, aptly named the Vala-Cruise and it was a roaring success! Employees had the chance to show off their prized wheels, and it was incredible to see the variety and passion on display.
KIC Honored with IPC Recognition for 25 Years of Membership and Contributions to Electronics Manufacturing Industry
06/24/2024 | KICKIC, a renowned pioneer in thermal process and temperature measurement solutions for electronics manufacturing, is proud to announce that it has been recognized by IPC for 25 years of membership and significant contributions to electronics manufacturing.
Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Completes Successful Crewed Docking with International Space Station
06/07/2024 | BoeingNASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams successfully docked Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
KIC’s Miles Moreau to Present Profiling Basics and Best Practices at SMTA Wisconsin Chapter PCBA Profile Workshop
01/25/2024 | KICKIC, a renowned pioneer in thermal process and temperature measurement solutions for electronics manufacturing, announces that Miles Moreau, General Manager, will be a featured speaker at the SMTA Wisconsin Chapter In-Person PCBA Profile Workshop.
The Drive Toward UHDI and Substrates
09/20/2023 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamPanasonic’s Darren Hitchcock spoke with the I-Connect007 Editorial Team on the complexities of moving toward ultra HDI manufacturing. As we learn in this conversation, the number of shifting constraints relative to traditional PCB fabrication is quite large and can sometimes conflict with each other.