Fort Wayne Wire Die Makes Two Major Personnel Moves

Changes GMs in Canadian and Asian Operations

Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc., (FWWD) has announced the hiring of two new general managers to oversee its manufacturing facilities in London, Ontario, Canada, and Metro Manila, Philippines. By intent, both individuals were hired from within the company.

Byron Philipson, previously the GM in the Philippines, has moved into the same position at the company’s Canadian plant. Meanwhile, Sam Falk has left his engineering position at FWWD headquarters in Ft. Wayne, Indiana (USA), to fill the role left by Philipson.

As expressed by FWWD president Dwight Bieberich, maintaining and promoting personnel inside the company is critical to meeting ongoing customer demands for higher quality, more precise wire.

“The Fort Wayne Wire Die difference has always revolved around continuous improvement with the customer,” explains Bieberich, “from both a technical and an operational-efficiency aspect. That takes a long-term relationship. Filling these positions with two gentlemen already so familiar with our culture, processes and philosophy is the best way to maintain those relationships.”

Philipson’s 16 years with FWWD have included climbing the ladder within the carbide department, moving from scheduler up to supervisor, before transitioning to GM at the Philippines plant. In his new role, he’ll manage the day-to-day activities at the Canadian location, while overseeing Canadian sales and continuing to assist in Asian market sales.

Falk began his career in the trenches at FWWD 24 years ago, when he came on board as a production operator, preparing dies for polishing and sizing. From there, he moved to quality assurance auditor, then supervisor of the elongation and recut cell departments. He becomes the new Philippines GM after most recently being a Manufacturing Engineer at FWWD.

Both Philipson and Falk have Six Sigma green belt certifications. Falk also has continuing education in an APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society) certification course and an ISO Auditor’s course.

Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc., designs and manufactures high-precision wire drawing dies and hard-material components for the wire and cable industry. For more than 70 years, FWWD has been the scientific leader and innovative source for high quality wire drawing dies that offer a multitude of value-added advantages.