Waupaca Foundry appoints new CEO

Waupaca Foundry, a supplier of recycled-content iron castings, hired Michael Hawthorne as its new CEO.

Hawthorne succeeds Mike Nikolai, who has left the company after nine years as CEO and more than three decades with Wisconsin-based Waupaca Foundry, which operates three scrap-fed foundries.

“We’re excited to welcome Mike Hawthorne to the Waupaca Foundry family,” says Daniel Collin, chairman of Waupaca Foundry. “He brings over 30 years of industry experience and understands the roles that engineering, design, system integration and operational excellence play in achieving breakthrough results. He will build on the strong foundation that Mike Nikolai has left here. We wish Mike Nikolai well and thank him for his contributions to the business.”

As CEO, Hawthorne will focus on driving operational efficiency, enhancing innovation and furthering the company's relationships with customers and stakeholders. His appointment will solidify Waupaca Foundry’s position as "a key player in the metal casting industry.”

“I am honored to join Waupaca Foundry and look forward to working with the talented team to build upon the company’s strong foundation," Hawthorne says. "Waupaca Foundry has a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality products, and I am excited to lead the company to its next growth phase.”

Hawthorne previously has served in executive roles at JB Poindexter & Co., Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and New York Air Brake LLC.

Waupaca Foundry operates foundries in Waupaca and Marinette, Wisconsin, and Tell City, Indiana. The company also operates a machining center in its headquarters city of Waupaca.