“I am impressed by the progress Gorham has made over such a short period of time, the company has tackled the energy platform, installed a state-of-the-art tissue machine and now invested in hiring a full-time CEO,” said Cummings, CEO of Gorham. “There is a solid strategic plan in place and long-term viability for the business. I am excited to harness the momentum and lead this business to the next level.”
The Gorham leadership role had previously been filled by Dick Arnold, who acted in a dual capacity for Patriarch Partners as the President and CEO for both Gorham and Old Town Fuel and Fiber in Maine. Arnold’s knowledge and leadership skills are needed exclusively at Old Town to commercialize its bio-refinery project, a cutting-edge technology that transforms paper by-products into bio-fuels or feedstock.
“Gorham has tremendous untapped potential. I am confident that we will continue to strengthen the business and grow,” added Cummings. “Knowing the importance of the mill to the White Mountains region, I am thrilled to be leading a portfolio company of Patriarch Partners, an organization committed to reinvigorating manufacturing in America. The ultimate measurement of success for me will be creating new jobs in the community.”
Cummings joins Gorham from Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he served as the Director of Global Operations within the Slides and Specialty Glass business unit. Previously, he served as COO in the consumer division of Crane & Company. Prior to that Cummings was the Senior Vice President of The Newark Group – a manufacturer of paperboard and packaging.
Gorham targets niche technical markets with a broad portfolio of customized Tissue, Towel and Specialty Packaging, Converting, Engineered and Printing Papers. Using scale and leanness as an advantage, the company challenges industry convention with its manufacturing flexibility, product development lead times and go-to-market strategy.