Protective equipment and tools manufacturer SureWerx promoted Eric Fouts to global chief supply chain officer, according to an Oct. 15 press release. Fouts will lead supply chain, manufacturing and operations functions for the company, which he joined as VP of supply chain in July 2023.
In his previous role, he helped SureWerx build a customer-focused supply chain while reducing customer lead times, improving customer fill rates and enhancing supplier engagement, according to Chief Operating Officer Christian Wiltrout. Fouts has also co-led SureWerx’s internal safety program with Chief Human Resources Officer Anna-Maria Parente since joining the company.
“With a collaborative, authentic and open leadership style, Eric has strengthened Supply Chain relationships across SureWerx, with our supplier network and most importantly, with our customers around the globe,” CEO Chris Baby said in the release.
Prior to SureWerx, Fouts worked for Tyson Foods from January 2022 to July 2023, most recently serving as head of manufacturing operations, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously worked with several other food manufacturers, including a 20-year run from 1996 to 2016 with Kraft Heinz, where he was last head of supply planning.
Fouts has also been an educator in the supply chain and operations management space, previously serving as an adjunct instructor at several institutions, including Marquette University and Miami University, in Ohio.
Co-headquartered in Chicago and Vancouver, SureWerx manufactures industrial safety equipment for more than 20 brands, 18 of which it owns.
The bulk of the company’s customer base is in the U.S. and Canada. As of 2023, it had 12 distribution centers and approximately 350 employees.
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