Global Leadership
The following is our global executive team:
Brian Robinson, CEO of Wilson Tool Enterprises
Brian has a Tool & Die education along with a mini masters in Engineering from the University of St. Thomas. Brian has worked at Wilson Tool since 1991 and has held a variety of manufacturing, engineering and leadership positions within Wilson Tool prior to assuming his current role of CEO in 2007.
Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He spends time in Northern Minnesota at the family cabin and enjoys boating, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.
Chris Lawless, President of Wilson Tool Inc.
Chris received his degree in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State and an MBA in Finance with an emphasis in Venture Capitalism from the University of St. Thomas. Chris has worked at Wilson Tool since 1992 where he helped create the first manufacturing engineering department and was the project manager of Wilson Tool’s SAP implementation. In 2002 Chris became the VP of Operations for Wilson Tool Inc. He was promoted to President of Wilson Tool Inc. in 2013.
Chris is married to his wife Camille and they have three children together; Austin, Connor and Lauren. In his free time, Chris coaches his kids’ sports and is active in skiing, fishing, investing, and hunting.
Paul Johnson, President of New Business Development
Paul has a degree in Machine Technology from Century College. He was hired by Wilson Tool in 1987 and has held various positions within the company. In 2001 Paul became the VP of Operations for Wilson Tool Inc., and was promoted to President of New Business Development in 2013. Paul belongs to the North American Punch Manufacturers Association (NAPMA) of which he was president in 2009. He was also a member of the Paradigm Group, an executive manufacturing group focused on Lean Manufacturing.
Outside of Wilson Tool, Paul enjoys family activities, traveling, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting and other sports. He also owns a hobby farm and enjoys spending time with family and friends at his cabin.
Colin Blackwell, Managing Director of Wilson Tool Ltd.
Before starting a tooling business in 1981, Colin worked in the automotive, aircraft and plastic mould industries. Wilson Tool acquired the company in 1989 in order to supply their range of punch press tools in Europe, and Colin assumed the role of Managing Director of Wilson Tool Ltd. Colin is a member of the Institute of Industrial Managers and the Institute of Directors.
Colin’s hobbies include motocross racing, cycling, jogging and spending time with his family.
Ray John, VP of Operations for Wilson Tool Ltd.
Ray earned his two-year Manufacturing Manager diploma at Cranfield University. He worked in varying engineering positions for a number of companies before joining Wilson Tool in 1994 as a Manufacturing Manager. Ray was promoted to VP of Operations for Wilson Tool Ltd. in 2007.
Ray is married and has two daughters. Outside of work he enjoys wakeboarding, kite surfing, snowboarding and coastline walking.
Jay Dienst, VP of Sales for North and South America
Jay graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He worked for NCR Corporation and Imation Corporation in multiple sales and marketing roles until joining Wilson Tool Inc. in 2008 as the VP of Sales for North and South America.
His outside interests include spending time with his two sons, golfing, pheasant hunting and the continued support of world peace.
Klaus Neumann, VP of Sales for Europe
Klaus received a Toolmaker education at VW Car –manufacturing and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the State owned Technical School of Hannover. After working in a sheet metal sub constructor company, he joined Wilson Tool in 1987 as a salesman for the German speaking area. Klaus held several leading positions in sales before he became the VP of Sales for Europe.
His outside interests include nearly everything that has more than 350 Horsepower, with the exception of his Harley Davidson. For relaxation, Klaus loves to ride his Harley through the Alps of Austria, and Switzerland and Italy.
Upcoming Tradeshow
Our next tradeshow is...
FEIMAFE
Please visit Wilson Tool at FEIMAFE 2013!
Wilson Tool Announces Acquisition of Italian Tool Manufacturer
Wilson Tool International announced that it has acquired Toolspress (TP Tooling srl), a manufacturer of premium press brake tooling for the sheet metal fabrication industry in Italy.
“Toolspress has a highly skilled workforce and more than 25 years of experience manufacturing quality press brake tools,” said Colin Blackwell, Wilson Tool’s managing director of European operations. “Under the continued leadership of Maurizio Zinetti, the company will remain a major supplier of tools to press brake machine manufacturers and their distributers around the globe."