The Titanium Economy Podcast Ayna

Host Connor Bradley, Associate at Ayna speaks with finance expert Kelly Janzen about the modern CFO role. Ms. Janzen, who has held leadership roles at GE Healthcare and Blue Links Corporation, highlights the need for CFOs to possess skills beyond finance, including operations and change management. She shares her experience in leading a strategic pivot during the pandemic, emphasizing the role of an innovative Investor Relations program in boosting financial stability and shareholder value. Kelly also talks about the importance of effective capital allocation, tax, and legal considerations for successful M&A activities.
Kelly Janzen is currently serving as Executive in Residence at Fernweh Group. With a foundation in technical accounting, Kelly has a career that spans prestigious companies such as GE Healthcare, Westrock, and BlueLinx Corporation. Her journey from public accounting to strategic leadership in finance has equipped her to handle complex M&A deals and transform financial strategies. Kelly’s approach to the modern CFO role includes broadening skill sets to include finance and operations, emphasizing the importance of adapting and engaging with challenging projects to excel in dynamic financial landscapes.
 
Discussion Points

Kelly Janzen's journey in the field of finance began with public accounting and moving up the ranks to hold Chief Financial Officer roles in various organizations.
During the global pandemic, Kellys team shifted its focus to maintaining a just-in-time inventory system and specializing in specific products.
A significant part of Kelly’s CFO role involves capital allocation and managing investor relations. Kelly shares her experiences hiring a consultant to work with banks and financial analysts and provides valuable insights on how to secure stock coverage.
Janzen emphasizes the need for finance teams to focus on return on investment (ROI) and risk assessments when allocating capital. By doing so, they can ensure that every investment made contributes to the business's overall growth and success.
Discussion on insights into the considerations that come into play during mergers and acquisitions. How tax rules and operational integration strategies are significant factors in these decisions.

 
For More Information
Kelly Janzen LinkedInBook: The Titanium Economy

Mark Behrman, CEO of LSB Industries, discusses the transformative realm of the chemical industry with Nidhi Arora, VP at Ayna. Their discussion focuses on the revolutionary impact of nitrogen chemicals in agriculture and industry, LSB's strategic initiatives for growth, and their pioneering role in the clean energy transition. Behrman shares insights on the potential of low-carbon ammonia production, strategic partnerships, and the challenges and opportunities that come with high-stakes investments in the evolving energy sector.
Mark Behrman, has an extensive background spanning corporate governance, executive management, and over 25 years of investment banking. His leadership has elevated LSB Industries, a key player in chemical products manufacturing, particularly focusing on nitrogen chemicals for various industries. Berman's journey has seen him rise through the ranks, demonstrating strategic prowess that has led LSB to focus on organic growth, reliability initiatives, and engaging in the energy transition through carbon capture projects and low-carbon ammonia production.
 
Discussion Points

LSB's engagement with nitrogen chemicals and their role in transition to clean energy, especially, the company's projects on carbon capture and low-carbon ammonia production.
The complexities of investing in the clean energy sector are explored, with a focus on the dynamics of setting selling prices for products like low-carbon ammonia and securing customer commitments.
LSB’s diversified market strategy, which allows flexibility and optimization of production across different industries, amidst changing agricultural needs.
Navigating global economic shifts to remain agile in the face of energy crises, food security issues, and geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Leadership's role in fostering innovation and guiding industrial growth as Behrman reflects on his experiences as both CEO and board member.
The importance of hiring the right people, empowering teams, and developing an entrepreneurial culture.
The resurgence of manufacturing in the United States is discussed, with attention to the trend of companies relocating production back to the U.S. due to favorable business conditions. Berman credits the nation's political and economic climate for facilitating this shift, which is reinforced by the recent policy incentives.

 
For More Information
LSB Industries Website
Mark Behrman on LinkedIn 
Book: The Titanium Economy
Nidhi Arora LinkedIn

Andy Mattes, a seasoned CEO with a wealth of experience in leading complex organizations such as Coherent Laser and Diebold speaks to Ninad Singh, Director at Ayna.AI. The conversation delves into the strategies and insights that Andy has garnered over the years, touching upon the challenges of mergers and acquisitions, financial stabilization, and the importance of setting ambitious yet achievable goals. Andy offers a deep dive into the art of navigating a company through competitive markets and regulatory frameworks, revealing the executive-level decisions that drive growth and success within large corporations.
 
Andy Mattes is known for his impressive track record as the former CEO of Coherent, where he significantly increased operating margins and revenue between 2020 and 2022, culminating in the company's $7 billion sale to II-VI Incorporated. Prior to his tenure at Coherent, Andy led Diebold as its President and CEO, overseeing a period of robust growth including a 16% CAGR from 2013 to 2017 and the strategic $1.8 billion acquisition of Wincor-Nixdorf. His extensive background in managing companies that operate at the intersection of hardware, services, and software places him in a unique position to offer valuable insights into the complexities of steering industry-leading organizations toward transformative growth.
 
Discussion Points

Andy Mattes highlights Coherent's crucial role in producing OLED displays for smartphones, acknowledging the need for new growth strategies after equipment saturation.
Mattes discusses navigating acquisitions in diverse regulatory environments, balancing German takeover laws' fund certainty with varied U.S. shareholder approval thresholds and timelines.
Reflecting on Coherent's sale to II-IV Incorporated, Mattes underscores the importance of defining deal structures and the CEO's role in post-acquisition transitions.
Internal support is vital for successful transformations, as revealed by organizational health surveys at Coherent, providing actionable insights for strategic change.
Mattes advocates for adopting an activist or private equity mindset to identify ambitious yet achievable growth opportunities, setting challenging goals for companies.
Reflecting on career milestones, Mattes highlights lessons on financial management, including the impact of operational decisions on EPS and the critical role of cash flow in meeting payroll.

 
For More Information
Andy Mattes LinkedIn
Coherent
Diebold
Book: The Titanium Economy
Ninad Singh LinkedIn

As CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, Mike Olosky leads the company with a clear vision of industry leadership through innovation and customer service. With over 20 years at Henkel, including roles as COO and Regional President, Mike's leadership, strategic investments, and embrace of technology have spurred Simpson Strong-Tie's growth amid economic challenges.
With 14 years of global experience, Mike champions a growth mindset and people-centric culture to drive industry excellence. In this episode Ninad Singh, Director at Ayna.AI interviews Mike Olosky, CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, who underscores adaptability, customer relations, and comprehensive solutions as vital for success
 
Discussion Points

Simpson Strong-Tie’s from modest beginnings to a $2 billion revenue leader in structural building products with success driven by robust customer relations, adaptability, and diverse product offerings.
Olosky's 14-year stint with Henkel in Asia provided valuable insights into electronic and automotive sectors and cultural diversity, shaping his leadership at Simpson Strong-Tie and fostering innovation.
Simpson Strong-Tie's commitment to a growth mindset, employee training, and adoption of emerging technologies like Mass Timber and digitization are driving forces behind their market outperformance and industry-leading construction standards.
The company's dedication to comprehensive customer solutions, leveraging digital tools such as CAD and software resources, positions them as pioneers in digital transformation within the construction industry.
Olosky’s emphasis on the significance of a people-centric culture, citing an impactful moment in Asia that reinforced his belief in empowering teams.

 
For More Information
Simpson Strong-Tie
Mike Oloskey LinkedIn
Book: The Titanium Economy
Ninad Singh LinkedIn

In this engaging episode of our Titanium Economy series, we welcome David Hunt, managing director and co-head of the industrials practice at Greenhill, who shares his rich expertise in advising industrial companies, particularly in the capital goods sector. Listen in as we navigate the complex landscape of the industrial sector and its subsectors, with an emphasis on capital goods and the adoption of technology. We dissect the current macroeconomic factors, such as higher inflation and rates, and their impact on the sector. Hunt sheds light on the shift from resource hoarding during the pandemic to growth-focused strategies, especially corporate acquisitions, offering a unique insight into the sector's evolution.
Mr. Hunt joined Greenhill in 2017. He principally advises clients in the capital goods, environmental services, and industrial technology sectors. Prior to joining Greenhill, David spent 20 years at UBS where he was a Managing Director and the Head of Investment Banking for Capital Goods. He began his career at Dillon Read before it was acquired by UBS. David holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Discussion Points

Guest David Hunt explains how different factors shaped M&A activity have, highlighting a shift from hoarding resources during the pandemic to focusing on growth strategies, particularly corporate acquisitions.
The conversation moves to the evolution of multi-industrial companies and their shift from conglomerate models to more focused niche markets, delving into the importance of differentiation, mission criticality, end-market selection and the impact on investor returns.
David and Siddharth explore the landscape of M&A in the industrial sector, focusing on the components of a successful business system for a multi-industrial company.
A discussion around the importance of understanding the boundaries in M&A activities, the importance of realistic valuation, and competitive landscape analysis.
How industrial companies are handling the pace of technological disruption, especially with the rise of AI. The hosts discuss the importance of finding a micro niche that is the company's competitive differentiation and applying that both to organic and inorganic growth strategies.
Wrapping up, David Hunt provides an optimistic outlook for the industrial sector, citing the Infrastructure Act, the Chips Act, the IRA Act, and other multi-year trends. 

 
For More Information
David Hunt LinkedIn
Greenhill
Book: The Titanium Economy
Siddharth Madhav LinkedIn
Titan International Website

What if managing employees wasn’t a responsibility, but a privilege? What if, before efficiencies and synergies, empathy was a driving force in leadership? In this episode, Connor Bradley speaks with Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a leader who transformed his company with a potent mix of strategy and culture, shaping a vision that breathes life and meaning into Barry-Wehmiller team members’ existence.
Bob Chapman is widely recognized as a transformative leader from the manufacturing industry. As CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a global supplier of manufacturing technology and services, he has grown his company through a prolifically successful acquisition strategy. Chapman's deep understanding of leadership and his unique methods have made him a bestselling author and speaker. Chapman has successfully instilled a culture of empathy and purpose within Barry-Wehmiller, solidifying his position as a revolutionary in both business and leadership.
 
Discussion Points

Bob Chapman has transformed Barry-Wehmiller - providing employees with meaning and launching initiatives to share culture and leadership training.
How to address the "poverty of dignity" in organizations for overall well-being.
Connor and Bob discuss balanced business models, culture in leadership, and empathetic listening to create leaders.
Chapman shares his message of caring for others, teaching the skill of recognizing goodness, and navigating difficult decisions when culture and business conflict.
A discussion around sharing strategy and culture to lead business, encouraging listeners to apply same philosophy and share blessings.

 
For More Information
Barry-Wehmiller
Truly Human Leadership Blog
Book: Everybody Matters
Chapman & Co.
Book: The Titanium Economy
Titan International Website