Rick Boutilier Transitions to Role on Board of Managers After More than 21 Years of Leadership
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Intermatic LLC today announced its Board of Managers has appointed Jim Gross as new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Gross brings a diverse background of manufacturing and electrical industry experience and succeeds Rick Boutilier, who will retire from his role as President and CEO after more than 21 years of leadership at Intermatic. Boutilier will remain on the Intermatic Board of Managers as part of this transition.
Prior to joining Intermatic, Gross served as the CEO of BCD, a provider of IP video data infrastructure solutions, as well as the CEO of Trachte, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of storage solutions for electrical infrastructure. Gross also served as the Vice President of Global Product Management at Johnson Controls, where he oversaw product development and marketing initiatives across an expansive network of verticals and product categories, including Smart Buildings, Energy Controls, HVAC/R, and Access Controls.
Before his time at Johnson Controls, Gross spent more than two decades in leadership positions at Brady Corporation, an international manufacturer of safety, identification, and compliance solutions. At Brady, Gross served in a variety of sales and operations leadership roles, as well as Vice President of Global Marketing and Vice President and General Manager of Brady North America.
“We’re eager to have Jim join the Intermatic team and are confident his rich industry background and product development expertise will propel this storied company forward for years to come,” says Constantine Elefter, Intermatic Chairman of the Board. “Along with this, we are deeply grateful to Rick Boutilier for his stewardship of Intermatic over the past two decades, building it into the industry-leading brand it is today.”
Boutilier joined Intermatic in 2004 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer before being appointed CEO in 2008. During his tenure, he led countless initiatives to strengthen Intermatic’s manufacturing capabilities and expand the company’s product portfolio despite formidable global economic conditions, including the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. He was instrumental in building Intermatic’s North American manufacturing hub in Juarez, Mexico, and has helped grow Intermatic into one of the most respected brands in the electrical products industry.
“Rick’s steady leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to quality has been fundamental to Intermatic’s success through all sorts of obstacles,” adds incoming CEO Jim Gross. “As we take Intermatic into this exciting new chapter, we’re fortunate to have Rick’s years of expertise with us through his role on the board.”
Gross will lead Intermatic from its headquarters in Libertyville, IL. For more information, please visit Intermatic.com.
About Intermatic LLC
With a rich company history spanning more than 130 years, Intermatic has grown into a global energy management solutions company designing and manufacturing electrical and mechanical controls for general lighting, outdoor lighting, irrigation, water heating, HVAC/R, and pool & spa applications. Intermatic core values ensure quality products, technical expertise, and attentive service. The company provides solutions for facilities, municipalities, manufacturing, agriculture, commercial, residential and construction markets. For more information, please visit www.Intermatic.com.
About MPE Partners
MPE Partners (“MPE”) seeks to be the preferred partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Based in Cleveland, OH and Boston, MA, MPE invests in profitable, lower middle market companies with EBITDA between $8 million and $40 million. MPE has two primary target investment areas: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services. For more information, please visit www.mpepartners.com.