Technology >> CEO Interviews >> July 25, 2000
WILLIAM B. R. HOBBS joined Trend Technologies as President and CEO in
1998. In his previous position, he simultaneously served as a Director,
the Chief Operating Officer, President and CEO of the CERTEX Group, and
a Managing Director of Bridon Manufacturing for Bridon Plc, a $750
million public UK company. He was responsible for all operations,
including 21 steel-related industrial factories and 135 fabrication and
distribution centers located in 20 countries throughout the world. While
heading up Bridon's core manufacturing businesses, he started the CERTEX
Group, which quickly grew to become a $400 million business and was the
driver behind the 75% premium paid for Bridon in a friendly tender offer
by a large public UK conglomerate. Before joining Bridon, Mr. Hobbs was
President of the American Construction Group, a leading manufacturer of
heavy-duty cranes and construction equipment. The Group consisted of
three divisions, five plants and 1,500 employees. Prior to this, Mr.
Hobbs held several key jobs with FMC Corporation, including Director of
Marketing for the Construction Equipment Group and General Manager of
its Brazil operations. Mr. Hobbs received his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Applied Mathematics, concentrating in Physics and Economics, from
Harvard University in 1971, and his MBA from the same institution in
1975. He taught high school math and physics between his undergraduate
and graduate years, and has also started or co-owned several small
businesses. Profile
Technologies?
Mr. Hobbs: Trend Technologies is a leader in the enclosure business for
the high-tech electronics industries,
