New operations executive assumes leadership for driving transformation initiatives to fuel operational excellence and business growth

NEW YORK (Sep. 25, 2018) — Acertitude, the executive search firm unleashing human potential globally, has recruited Jason Pickering as chief operations officer of Innovative Hearth Products (“IHP”), a leading manufacturer of indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Owned by middle market private equity firm Comvest Partners, IHP was created out of the merger and rebranding of two portfolio companies, FMI Products and Lennox Hearth Products. IHP has since been on a journey to scale its national brand and operations.

As COO, Mr. Pickering has full operational responsibility for IHP’s 400-person operations team and three manufacturing sites. He is charged with aligning and integrating operating functions, building a data-driven transformation culture, and implementing lean principles to support IHP’s continued growth trajectory in a rising market. According to a report by Infinium Global Research, the global hearth market was valued at USD 15.89 Billion in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 19.66 Billion by 2024 with a CAGR of 2.9% between 2018 and 2024.

Pickering has 19 years of experience as a senior operations leader in world-leading multinational industrial companies. Most recently, he was the vice president of operations of premier aluminum extruder Bonnell Aluminum, a subsidiary of Tredegar Corporation, where he oversaw manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, and strategic planning. He was previously plant manager for the largest chemical producer in the world, BASF Group, and multi-billion-dollar power management company, Eaton. He spent his earlier career with Pratt & Whitney and Bosch.

Acertitude managing partner Kevin O’Neill led the operations search as a strategic advisor to Dennis Allen, chief executive officer at IHP, and leaders at Comvest. He was supported by Tom Dougherty and the Acertitude research team, who identified Pickering in 35 days.

“IHP has hired a rock-star. Jason will rapidly help Dennis execute the operations playbook and allow the company to achieve its aggressive transformation plan,” said O’Neill. “He brings an ideal skillset, having successfully led and built manufacturing operations, strategic planning, continuous improvement, and organizational capabilities.”

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