Channellock, Inc. appoints new vice president of manufacuring and engineering

MEADVILLE, PA – Channellock Inc., a family- owned and -operated plier and hand tool manufacturer since 1886, has named Michael Smith as its vice president of manufacturing and engineering, effective March 30.
 
Smith was previously the division manager of Associated Spring, a business of Barnes Group Inc., in Corry, Pa. He has been hired to succeed Jon DeArment, who previously held the position of vice president of manufacturing & engineering until he was appointed as president and chief operating officer of Channellock Inc. in 2014.
 
“We are excited to welcome Michael to the CHANNELLOCK® team,” said Jon DeArment, president and chief operating officer. “Michael has an impressive background in engineering and manufacturing leadership, and we look forward to his fresh approach to our process. His experience in business and manufacturing will be a great benefit to the continued success of Channellock Inc.”
 
Smith’s experience also includes being a manufacturing engineer for Owens Corning Fiberglass and as a production and plant manager for Foamex Innovations.
 
Smith earned his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Youngstown State University, and in 1999 he earned a master’s in business administration from Pennsylvania State University.
 
“I am looking forward to joining Channellock Inc.,” Smith said. “It is an honor to be part of a legendary company with such a long history of industry-leading quality and innovation and a commitment to American manufacturing. I am excited for this opportunity, and my family and I are looking forward to becoming a part of the Meadville, Pa. community.”
 
Smith holds numerous certifications and training certifications that focus on manufacturing, safety and businesses leadership, including a Lean Six Sigma Master Certificate and certification in the Lean Manufacturing Training Series from Penn State.
 
For more information, visit www.channellock.com.