Northwest Hardwoods has appointed Vivek Karuppuswamy as Head of Human Resources based in Tacoma, Washington. Hanold Associates’ Sandra Peña and Katrina Prospero led the search.
Vivek Karuppuswamy comes to Northwest Hardwoods from Terex Corporation where he held various leadership positions. Reporting directly to the CEO, Nathan Jeppson, Mr. Karuppuswamy will be a key member of the leadership team of Northwest Hardwoods. Directly overseeing a robust HR team dispersed across the country, he will be responsible for shaping the culture of the organization as well as the Human Resources strategy, partnering with the executive leadership team to advance the function while supporting the business.
“Vivek is an influential leader who will be a transformative addition to Northwest Hardwood’s leadership team,” said Sandra Peña, Partner on the search. “Having a strong HR executive like Vivek will better position Northwest Hardwoods to propel the organizational evolution forward while fostering a stronger commercial orientation across the company. We’re excited to see the many successes of their collective efforts.”
Founded in 1967 with a single mill and a pioneering spirit, Northwest Hardwoods is the number-one manufacturer and global distributor of hardwood-related raw materials. The company is now backed by Littlejohn & Co., a private investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, known for acquisitions of mid-market companies in the industrial and manufacturing industries.
Northwest currently employs more than 1,600 people in more than 40 manufacturing, sales and distribution locations in the United States. With approximately $700 million in annual revenues, the company maintains a substantial lead over its next-largest competitors. Significant strategic growth opportunities remain through geographic expansion, operational initiatives, product line innovation, capital investments, and focused acquisitions.
Hanold Associates is the leading retained boutique executive search firm focused on HR and Diversity & Inclusion Officers. Our client list is diverse across industries, geographies and business scenarios, and culture is at the core of everything we do. Our clients include the National Football League, Domino’s Pizza, Under Armour, Patagonia, Gucci, Kohler, REI, Live Nation Entertainment, Dick’s Sporting Goods, McDonald’s, Major League Baseball, Kellogg, Apollo, Blackstone, TPG, L Catterton, Northwestern University, Electronic Arts, Fiat-Chrysler, Kohler, SC Johnson, eBay, Hillrom, Great Place To Work, Fossil, Vail Resorts, Edward Jones, AbbVie, Carnival Corp., Google, Biogen, Allstate, Bridgestone, Wikimedia, CNA Insurance, Cummins, Tyson, ClubCorp, CDW, Nike, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and Ford Motor Company, among others.
