Thomas B. McLaren Named Group Executive - Industrial Tools Division of Fansteel Inc

In an announcement made by Gary Tessitore, CEO of Fansteel Inc (North Chicago, IL), Thomas B. McLaren has been promoted to Group Executive—Industrial Tools Division. McLaren will oversee operations at four facilities: VR/Wesson cutting tools (Plantsville, CT); VR/Wesson mining and construction tools (Lexington, KY); Hydro Carbide tungsten carbide composites (Latrobe, PA) and gulfport, MS.

McLaren has been with the Fansteel organization for more than 20 years, starting in 1979 as senior metallurgist at the VR/Wesson division. Most recently, he was general manager of the Hydro Carbide operations and prior to that general manager of California Drop Forge.

Further experiences include technical director of Connors Steel Inc and general manager of Precision Sheet Metal Inc. McLaren holds a Master of Science degree in metallurgy from Carnegie Mellon University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in metallurgy and material science at Columbia University and attended the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management's MBA program.

The consolidation of these three businesses will allow Fansteel to leverage market strategies, technical skills, and administrative resources. According to McLaren, "where appropriate, we will share resources, information, and technology, using those synergies to assist in the overall growth of the Industrial Tools Group."

Fansteel Inc, Number One Tantalum Place, North Chicago, IL 60064; phone 847-689-4900