Austin Ramirez has succeeded his father, Agustin “Gus” Ramirez, as chief executive officer of Husco International, a Waukesha-based valve manufacturer.
Husco makes parts used in the construction, material handling, automotive, agriculture and mining industries. Gus served as CEO and executive chairman of the global company for 25 years. He will retain his chairman position.
The company has experienced significant growth coming out of the recession, and the family believed this was an ideal time for a leadership transition, Austin Ramirez said.
Since Husco focuses on products that make cars more fuel efficient, the automotive sector of the business has seen big gains, he said. Additionally, the company has seen international growth in emerging market economies like China.
“Even though the market overall is growing at a moderate pace, the penetration of the products that we provide is growing very rapidly,” Austin Ramirez said. “The rate of infrastructure construction in China, whether it’s roads or railroads or bridges, continues to increase and they need a lot of construction equipment.”
The growth has meant an influx of hiring at Husco, which has added 500 jobs, including 200 at its Waukesha and Whitewater locations, since the trough of the recession in 2009. Some of the manufacturing facilities also have been expanded, he said.
As CEO, Austin plans to help the company develop its technology portfolio to bring competitive products to the marketplace.
He expects to see record company growth as the U.S. housing market recovers in the coming months.
