Cathay Portfolio Company’s Innovative/ HAT Contract Names Kris Manos to Board of Directors
May 4, 2020
North America
Former Wilsonart and Herman Miller President Brings Exceptional Board, Leadership, Governance and Industry Knowledge to Position
NEW YORK, NY. – Feb. 11, 2019 — Cathay Capital Private Equity (“Cathay Capital”) today announced that its portfolio company Innovative/ HAT Contract, a leader in monitor, tablet, sit-stand mounting products and office open space products including height adjustable desking solutions, has named Kris Manos to its Board of Directors.
Manos brings extensive experience in director-level and organizational leadership expertise through her three decades of work with public, private and employee-owned companies. A proven leader of business-to-business, design-driven building products companies, Manos served as President, Americas, for Wilsonart, a $1 billion leading global decorative surfaces manufacturer. As the first outside president in Wilsonart’s history, she drove significant improvements in revenue and EBITDA, shifted design strategy and accelerated product launches. She also oversaw the successful sale of the company to private equity owners.
Manos also served as President for the North American Office Environments business unit of Herman Miller, a public $2 billion design and innovation leader in the office furniture industry. At Herman Miller, she drove growth and profitability through strategic initiatives in the areas of brand building, new product development and team diversity, doubling operating income while growing sales more than 10%annually. She also directed the launch of the fastest-growing product in company history.
“Kris is that rare executive who brings a global perspective, extensive board experience and deep cross-functional expertise across every discipline, including marketing, product development, manufacturing, finance and distribution,” said Innovative/HAT Contract CEO Dave Fox. “Her ability to assess a company, clarify strategy and set in motion the levers to create positive change and profitability will be invaluable as we continue to pursue our strategic growth plans for our Innovative and HAT product solutions. We are thrilled to have a person of Kris’s caliber joining our board and look forward to her contributions.”
“We could not be more excited about having Kris Manos join the Board of Innovative/HAT Contract,” commented Mark Woods, Partner and Head of North American Private Equity at Cathay Capital. “We look forward to tapping her incredible experience, industry knowledge, and ecosystem to continue building this exceptional ergonomic and office products company.”
More information about Innovative/HAT Contract and its full suite of products can be found at www.innovativeworkspaces.com
About Cathay Capital
Cathay Capital is a leading international private equity firm focused on cross-border investment and committed to supporting the international expansion of middle-market companies in North America, China and Europe. Cathay Capital’s team of nearly 90 professionals is based in New York, Shanghai, Beijing, Paris, Munich, Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv and leverages Cathay’s unique business model and platform to help create value for companies across three continents. As of today, with over $3.0 billion in assets under management across its funds, Cathay Capital has completed buyouts and growth capital investments in over 95 companies across three continents since its inception in 2007. Cathay Capital invests in middle-market companies in the consumer, healthcare, business and digital services, advanced industrial and technology industries. For more information, please visit www.cathay.fr.
About Innovative/HAT Contract
Innovative/HAT Contract (www.innovativeworkspaces.com) is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of ergonomic products and accessories that improve health, wellness and productivity across a range of work environments, including the office, healthcare and point-of-sale markets. The Company has over 150 employees working in the U.S. to design and assemble a majority of products in its Easton, PA headquarters. Innovative/HAT Contract works closely with customers from start to finish, providing a range of high-quality products that exceed client expectations. In 2018, the Company acquired San Jose, CA.-based HAT Contract, a leading North American designer, contract manufacturer and distributor of office open space products including height adjustable tables, power/data beams, drawer pedestals, dividers and electrical components for benching and bases. More information about HAT Contract can be found at www.hatcontract.com.
Cathay Capital Contacts:
Mark Woods, Partner, Head of North American Private Equity, [email protected], +1 212 858-9721
Yoann Besse, Citigate Dewe Rogerson, [email protected], +33 6 6303 8491
Innovative Contacts:
David Fox, CEO, [email protected], +1 610 559-6363