Modular Home Manufacturer Announces New President/CEO

Customized Structures, Inc. of Claremont, NH announces the addition of Richard W. Krant, Jr. as President/ CEO.

Claremont, NH (PRWEB) August 3, 2006 -- Customized Structures, Inc., a modular and panelized home manufacturer, is pleased to announce the addition of Richard W. Krant, Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Krant will be taking over the reins from Joe Landers who remains a Director of the company and will work as an advisor to Mr. Krant. The company was founded 22 years ago by Mr. Landers along with Tony Usko and Larry Haiman. Customized Structures was purchased by Watermill Group in 2003. Watermill Group is a private strategic investment firm that focuses on acquiring middle-market companies in which it can add value through strategic and operational guidance as well as investment capital. Mr. Krant will be responsible for overseeing a strategy for growth while making Customized Structures increasingly more aggressive in the building systems industry.

Mr. Krant has spent over 30 years in industry working on all aspects of business development for a number of different enterprises. His experience ranges from recruiting and developing senior management teams to creating and driving key growth strategies including the implementation of Lean initiatives.

Most recently Mr. Krant served as Principal of Stiles Associates, an executive search firm specializing in Lean Enterprise. Before joining Stiles Associates, Mr. Krant was Chairman and CEO of Marshfield DoorSystems where he lead the company through a successful transition to private ownership and launched a “value creation” program focused on Lean production and product innovation. He also co-chaired the implementation of the first company wide leadership development initiative while at Andersen Corporation where he served as Corporate Vice President of Manufacturing and President of the “Renewal by Andersen™” division.

Prior to his tenure at Andersen Corporation, Mr. Krant served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Operations at Midas International. He has also held management positions at a number of large corporations including Tenneco, Inc. and PepsiCo Inc.

Mr. Landers said, “The building systems industry has a need to continue to professionalize management as it matures and becomes the accepted method of construction throughout the US. Mr. Krant will certainly add a level of professionalism that the company needs to obtain its growth and service targets. I am thrilled to have such a dedicated individual with such a wide range of skills and experience to move the company forward.”

“I am very excited about the opportunities presented at Customized Structures and to be with a company who has been in the modular industry since its inception. I look forward to seeing the growth of Customized Structures as the industry grows and changes,” said Mr. Krant.

Mr. Krant holds a B.A. in Government from Dartmouth College.

About Customized Structures:

Established in 1984, Customized Structures, Inc. continues to be a leader in the design and manufacture of factory built customized modular and panelized homes for residential, multi-family and commercial homes distributed throughout New England. Customized Structures is very active in the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Building Systems Council among others. For more information and current employment opportunities from Customized Structures, Inc., call 1.800.523.2033 or visit www.CustomizedStructures.com.

About Watermill Group

Watermill Group is a private strategic investment firm that focuses on acquiring middle-market companies in which it can add value through strategic and operational guidance as well as investment capital. By leveraging 28 years of strategic, transactional and operating experience, Watermill helps its portfolio management teams thrive, to generate extraordinary returns for all stakeholders. Its principals have extensive expertise in manufacturing and value-added distribution, and differentiated services industries. For more information, please visit Watermill’s website, www.watermill.com.

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