Tempel Steel Company announced Thursday that Cliff Nastas, an experienced manufacturing industry executive, has joined the company as chief executive officer and president. Nastas replaces Gary Wagner, who served in multiple leadership roles at Tempel, including CEO, chief operating officer and president, over the past 30 years.
Based in Chicago, Tempel is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of precision motor and transformer laminations.
“We’d like to thank Gary Wagner for his significant contributions to the company over the past 30 years,” said Tempel Chairman Christopher Stephan. “Notably, he oversaw an expansion of Tempel’s manufacturing capabilities in China, including the opening of an automotive focused-factory in Changzhou. Tempel is in a strong position today, and we’re confident Cliff will build on our foundation. Throughout his career, Cliff has demonstrated a unique ability to lead engineering and technological innovation and generate growth in revenues and profits. We look forward to having him lead us through our next stage of growth.”
Nastas has more than 30 years of global experience in the manufacturing industry, including nearly 15 years as a chief executive officer of public and private companies that are highly respected for their inventive cultures and commitment to customer partnership. Prior to joining Tempel, Nastas served as CEO of Radiac Abrasives, the Dan T. Moore Company and Material Sciences Corporation.
“I am excited to join Tempel and build on the company’s strong history of precision manufacturing innovation,” Nastas said. “With its remarkable engineering and metallurgy expertise in motor and transformer lamination design, Tempel is well-equipped to drive significant performance gains for automakers, electric utilities and a diverse set of companies that manufacture electric motors and transformers around the globe.”
The leadership change comes at a time when Tempel is expanding its presence in multiple markets and industries. Driven by its research and development hub in Chicago, Tempel is developing new solutions for the electric vehicles market. Already a leading producer of motor cores in China, Tempel will open an automotive focused-factory in Mexico in 2019. Tempel’s Mexico- and United States-based plants will lead the design and manufacturing of motor cores for hybrid and electric vehicles in the North American and European markets, the company said.
Tempel also has increased its investment in its Canada operation, which develops transformers for the electric utility industry. And the company continues to grow in the India market, where it has also become a significant producer of magnetic steel laminations.
Nastas earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Wayne State University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He works in Tempel’s Chicago headquarters.
About Tempel Steel Company
Established in 1945, Tempel is a leading independent producer of precision magnetic laminations for motors, generators, transformers and beyond. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the company has more than 1,900 employees working at its facilities in the U.S., Canada, China, India and Mexico. For more information, visit www.tempel.com.
