Birmingham Fastener hired Baron Yarborough as GM of Champion Manufacturing, a rubber gasket manufacturer that Birmingham Fastener acquired in April.
Yarborough and his team will be working closely with Birmingham Fastener to supply American-made products to the waterworks industry.
Yarborough is involved in many industry organizations, including the Fastener Training Institute and the Southwestern Fastener Association.
“I am so pleased to be joining the Birmingham Fastener family and joining the ranks of so many industry rockstars,” stated Yarborough. “Champion has a proven track record of producing high quality gasket for many industries and we are all very excited for the opportunity to expand upon that legacy.”
Magnolia, TX-based Champion manufactures mechanical joint, push-on and other gaskets for the waterworks industry. Web: ChampionGaskets.com
Birmingham Fastener also hired James Ward as environmental health and safety director.
“James brings a wealth of experience to the role and will lead the charge in ensuring all of our facilities and team members remain safe and compliant,” the company announced on Twitter.
Founded in 1980, Birmingham Fastener supplies fasteners for structural steel fabrication, transportation, utilities, OEMs, agriculture, construction and MROs. Web: BhamFast.com

Optimas OE Solutions named Paul Schorr its global team chief information officer. Schorr will oversee all IT for Optimas and investments in technology for efficiencies, growth and innovation for customers.
Schorr founded Strategic Outlook LLC, a technology and business advisory firm. He also has held IT roles with a global manufacturer and distributor of rehabilitation and recovery medical products, which included implementing Oracle NetSuite ERP. Optimas has begun using Oracle.
Optimas distributes fasteners and supplies for manufacturers. Optimas includes companies dating back to 1890 and became Optimas in 2015 following 10 acquisitions between 2002 and 2008. Today Optimas has 1,400 employees, 5,000 customers and 4,000 suppliers.
Optimas has locations in 19 U.S. states plus Mexico, Europe and Asia/Pacific and is headquartered in Wood Dale, IL. Web: Optimas.com

Ramco Specialties added new part formers in the state of Ohio that will allow it to start production of cold-formed pipe nuts. The pipe nuts products will be available with open and closed ends, up to 9″ in length and 3″ in diameter.
Pipe nuts are important parts of automotive construction, used particularly in engine cradles, frames, rails and chassis.
In March Ramco becan constructing a 50,000 sq ft addition to its Ohio headquarters. The expansion is slated for completion in June 2022 and increases manufacturing, engineering and office space to 210,000 sq ft.=
Founded in 1977, Ramco provides cold forming machining and assemblies for the automotive, defense, aerospace, agriculture and industrial markets. Ramco has facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Italy and is headquartered at 5445 Hudson Industrial Pkwy., Hudson, OH 44236-5040. Web: RamcoSpecialties.com

Vulcan Steel Products hired Bradley Miller as maintenance supervisor.
“Brad brings to Vulcan several years in maintenance management and leadership from his time spent as a crane technician, site manager, and most recently as maintenance manager for Glen Gery Brick,” the company stated.
Miller is responsible for building and maintaining a maintenance software program, developing an inventory and spare parts system, establishing a state recognized apprenticeship program and leading safety initiatives.
Founded in 1978, Pelham, AL-based Vulcan manufactures threaded rod products, cold drawn and heat treated bar through three divisions: Vulcan Threaded Products, Vulcan Heat Treating and Vulcan Cold Finished. Web: vulc.com
Vulcan is owned by Fort Wayne, IN-based Steel Dynamics, which acquired it in 2016. Web: SteelDynamics.com

Wrentham Tool Group named Gordon Scott as general manager. Scott’s career includes roles with Adcoile Corp., Polymer Corp, ITW Speedline Technology and HBM.
Wrentham cited Scott’s roles in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, quality management systems and cycle time improvements. An early initiative for Scott “will be to lead and re-engage our continuous improvement efforts starting with the manufacturing floor.” 
He will also look to “improve all aspects of business processes with the intent to improve the customer experience and customer satisfaction.”
Scott intends to “help guide Wrentham through the lean journey and continue the progress that has already been made.”
Founded in 1948 and acquired by Phillips Screw Co. in 2004, Wrentham provides fastener tooling and gage technology. Wrentham is located at 155 Farm St., Bellingham, MA 02019-1105. Web: WrenthamTool.com

Zago Manufacturing Co. named Ryan Anderson as marketing & communications specialist. He will promote the Zago portfolio of sealing fasteners and components to distributors, engineers and onsite equipment manufacturers worldwide.
Anderson said that upon meeting CEO Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, VP Jackie Luciano and customer success director Kim Keating,“Zago felt like home.” The “emphasis the company places on being innovative, supportive of its customers, the community, and staff members, while producing environmentally safe products, resonated with me the most.” Anderson’s role includes implementing Zago’s social impact and community initiatives.
Founded in 1993, Zago is a woman-owned company manufacturing sealing fasteners and sealing boots for the EV, energy, LiDar, electronics, robotics/drones, military and aerospace industries. Zago is located at 21 E. Runyon St., Newark, NJ 07114-1510. Web: Zago.com