R.M. LUCAS – Head of Operations

client success story

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COMPANY OVERVIEW

  • Founded 1912
  • Headquartered near Chicago, IL
  • Industry: CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers)
  • 60+ Employees Globally
  • Estimated $40+ Million in Revenue
  • Subsidiary of Artemis Capital Partners

R.M. Lucas Company was founded in Chicago, Illinois by Robert M. Lucas in. R.M. Lucas Co. manufactured asphalt, oil-based paints, coatings for railroads, plastic, asphalt, types of cement for the waterproofing, and repair of wooden box cars. In 1954, the R.M. Lucas Co. plant and trademark were purchased by Lawrence J. Barry, and it became a subsidiary of his company, Union Chemical and Oil Co., a manufacturer of roof coatings, waterproofing, and water treatment chemicals since 1935.

A focus on research and development led to the introduction of many new and innovative products. Manufacturing has expanded with the opening of several new production facilities, including the new Lucas headquarters, manufacturing facility, and research center in Alsip, Illinois in 2015; Orlando, Florida in 2018; and Phoenix, Arizona in 2019. R.M. Lucas is the most capable manufacturer of coating, sealants, and adhesives with the ability to manufacture products from a wide variety of chemical technologies, including silicones, modified polyurethanes, MS polymer, polyurea, epoxies, water-borne emulsions, asphalt cutbacks, and emulsions, block copolymers, and other synthetic elastomers. Custom formulations for OEM equipment manufacturers and retail are also available.

THE CHALLENGE

Seeking to bring best-in-class operational practices to bear in their newest portfolio company, Artemis Capital Partners sought to bring on a new Head of Operations. This position required a candidate with extensive coatings/adhesives manufacturing experience who could set overall strategy, had a demonstrated track record of improving performance and accountability measures, with a commitment to driving operational process improvements.

THE SOLUTION
Ropella leveraged its SMART Search System to find the Right Hire who possessed both private equity experience and a successful track record leading operational improvements with full P&L responsibility in a similar manufacturing setting. After just five business days, Ropella expertly submitted three candidates for Artemis to consider. The top candidate for the position had an offer from a competitor, but due to Ropella’s expedited search, interview, and offer process, Artemis was ultimately able to secure their first-choice candidate.

DELIVERABLES
OPPORTUNITY MARKETING PIECE
Custom-created for Artemis Capital Partners and R.M. Lucas, the Opportunity Marketing Piece attracted passive (employed and not looking) candidates from a select group of highly targeted companies. The Opportunity Marketing Piece enabled Ropella’s Executive Search Consultants to present a world-class overview of R.M. Lucas, the unique challenges facing the Head of Operations, and the incredible opportunity to set a course for company strategy.

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DELIVERABLES
SKILL SURVEY
This custom-created Skill Survey equipped Ropella’s Executive Search Consultants to effectively gather information from a large pool of candidates. This step was critical to identify and select the most qualified A-players for final submission.

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DELIVERABLES
SCORECARD
Ropella thoughtfully scored all candidates during the screening and interview process, using a custom-created Scorecard. These scores determined each candidate’s skills and experience, cultural dynamic, management style, compensation, relocation fit, and other attributes.

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DELIVERABLES
COMPENSATION COMPARISON CALCULATOR
Ropella’s proprietary Compensation Comparison Calculator compiles a variety of complex compensation factors into a concise Offer Strategy Summary, thereby ensuring that clients don’t lose the perfect candidate to ineffective “negotiations” and/or a current employer counteroffer or other “competing” offers.

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Results Delivered

Ropella identified and engaged with 160+ prospects on behalf of Artemis Capital Partners. From there, Ropella submitted 3 candidates, all of whom were interviewed. Due to the Ropella Search Team’s diligence, the entire search and placement were completed in just 14 business days.

5 Business Days
To Qualified Candidates
14 Business Days
Speed to Placement

After assessing and identifying the final candidates, R.M. Lucas chose an expertly matched candidate from Ropella for the Head of Operations. The company utilized Ropella’s Compensation Comparison Calculator and supporting Offer Strategy Summary to create an appealing executive compensation package, which the candidate accepted. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this new Head of Operations will take a customer-centric approach to make R.M. Lucas the ideal platform to serve increasing demand in the roof repair and restoration market.

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