Strategic Acquisitions for Growth & Competitive Advantage

Managing Partner

As a senior manufacturing executive, Lean production specialist, and transformational business leader, I bring a reputation of success and expertise in quickly turning around large-scale, multi-site operations and unlocking record levels of capacity, productivity, and financial performance. Throughout my career, I have led teams in the delivery of numerous Greenfield Plant start-ups, including three automotive manufacturing sites, encompassing everything from breaking ground to plant construction and the initiation of mass production, always finishing on schedule and below budget. I excel at building safe, efficient, and quality-focused work environments, delivering state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, and helping PE firms, Boards, and C-Level teams compete and win at the highest levels of global business. Combining deep technical expertise, strategic business acumen, and a collaborative leadership style-I work effectively from the front lines to the highest levels to mentor and upskill teams, create high-performance employee cultures, and build mission-critical relationships as a foundation for the sustained success of any manufacturing organization.

• Strategic Leadership – Vision-driven executive with expertise in global operations, greenfield start-ups, and cross-functional team leadership.

• Lean & Continuous Improvement – Mastery in Lean Six Sigma, manufacturing automation, and operational excellence (ISO 9001/14001, IATF 16949, VDA).

• Supply Chain & Logistics – End-to-end optimization of sourcing, procurement, and supply chain efficiency.

• Performance & Productivity – KPI-driven management with a focus on safety, quality, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.

• Financial & Operational Acumen – Balancing profitability with lean manufacturing and scalable growth strategies.

• Team & Culture Development – Building high-performance cultures through mentoring, engagement, and partnerships.

• Community & Stakeholder Impact – Driving outreach initiatives and strategic alliances for sustainable business growth.

Project / Engineering / Quality Leadership - Toyota Automotive, Greenfield Plant Start up

Project  / Engineering / Maintenance / Quality Leadership - Honda of America Manufacturing, Greenfield Plant Start Up

• BSEE  - Ohio University

• MBA - Wright State University

Board Member, Strategic Advisor ,Operations & Supply Chain Expert

Christopher L. Risdon is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and operational turnarounds across multiple industries, including aerospace, automotive, defense, and industrial sectors. A prudent risk taker with 13 years in Private Equity, Chris specializes in driving performance improvement, executing complex turnarounds, and delivering significant EBITDA growth through strategic initiatives. His extensive expertise spans P&L oversight for multi-plant operations, global supply chain optimization, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and M&A integration.

• P&L Management & Financial Turnarounds

• Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma

• Global Supply Chain & Procurement Optimization

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Operational Excellence & Manufacturing Transformation

• Private Equity Value Creation & M&A Integration

• Predictive Analytics for Supply Chain & Maintenance

• Cost Reduction, EBITDA Growth & Cash Flow Improvement

• Bachelors and Masters Business Administration; University of Toledo

• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

• Certified TS/ISO Lead Auditor

• Lean Manufacturing & True Lean Transformation Expert

Chris’s proven track record of leadership, strategic problem-solving, and financial acumen positions him as a top-tier board member and executive advisor capable of delivering impactful results in complex business environments.

President & COO, Sr. Vice President & General Manager, Vice President Global Operations, General Manager, Quality Manager, Production Supervisor and Sr Quality Engineer

Seasoned global executive with 30+ years of experience in automotive and medical industries, leading multi-plant operations across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Proven track record in managing full P&L for organizations with revenues up to $1B, overseeing 3,000+ employees, and optimizing complex manufacturing processes—from automotive interiors (seats, decorative plastics) to powertrain metal fabrication and full vehicle assembly. Expertise in union environments (UAW, Mexican unions), advanced lean manufacturing, and quality systems (IATF 16949, VDA). Bilingual (English/Spanish) leader with a strong background in business development, greenfield start-ups, and cross-cultural team leadership.

• Reversed $40M in losses into profitability within two years, catalyzing new growth for struggling $700M with Horizon Global and serving as catalyst for growth and expansion of struggling $360M division with Magna Powertrain.

• Reverses loses of about $34M for 2 full vehicles assembly divisions (metropolitan buses and motorized RV’s) in one year  (2023).

• Ford Q1 with Magna Powertrain in 2012.

• General Motors Supplier of the Year with Mubea in 2002.

• General Motors Supplier of the Year with Lear Corporation in 1996.

• 3 times, General Motors Target For Excellence award with Lear Corporation in1995, 1996 & 1997.

• Ford Q1 with Lear Corporation in 1996.

• 23 IS0-TS16949 certifications .

• 4 times Green field operations, total ownership in launching plants in Mexico, averaged $20M in investments each time.

• About 80 Lean Kaizen/True North’s events conducted, generating an average of about $2M usd in savings per project.

both high volume and high mix, low volume assembly experience.

• Automotive interiors, such as, seat assembly, trim covers cut & sew, decorative plastic components, floor panels, foam injection and laminated foam.

• Just in Time and SPD – Sequenced Parts Delivery as Tier 1 supplier to auto OEM’s (BMW, Porche, VW, Daimler, Volvo, GM, Ford, Stellanties).

• Automotive powertrain components such as, front engine covers, oil pumps, water pumps, vacuum pumps, 2 and 4wheels drive transmissions, suspension springs, engine valve springs, and fully engine and full vehicle assembly and machining during my years in General Motors.

Managed up to 200+ injection molding machinesfrom 40 Tons thru 900 Tons, single and double shot and thermoforming machines.

• CNC Chiron, Fadal, Mitsubishi, 3, 4, and 5 axis machining centers, vertical and horizontal multi spindle, multi axis turret lathes, CNC OD and ID grinders, gun drilling, tool room equipment, CMM equipment and CNC programming software.

• Cold forming & Heat treatment experience in annealing, carburizing, case and induction hardening, normalizing, quenching, stress relieving.

• Powder and liquid Painting - Masking: Application on stabilizer bars and suspension coil springs, zinc phosphatized and powder coated.

• Stamping and Welding (MIG, single and double welding robots), laser cutting machines

• 400T, 600T, 2500T, 3000T progressive and transfer presses.  2500T and 3000T Schuler hydroform presses

• Coiling machines, high speed machines from 100pcs per minute up to 1000 pcs per minute