Jan 27, 2021 
Libra Industries has named Jim Kircher, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kircher has held various executive positions within the contract manufacturing industry for the past 20 years and has more than 30 years of experience in various technical industrial manufacturing positions. He has distinguished himself in key roles with Jabil Circuit – where he held multiple leadership positions across 10 years and as a Vice President with Flextronics.
Prior to joining Libra Industries in October 2020 as President, Kircher was the Chief Commercial Officer of Faulhaber US. He has a proven track record of creating customer-centric EMS organizations that execute successful growth strategies serving customers that require highly engineered, integrated systems. Kircher stated, “I am elated to join an agile-thinking, vertically integrated, EMS business with a world-class suite of capabilities and managers focused on solving the complex manufacturing needs of Fortune 500 customers. I look forward to being a part of the growth of this unique enterprise.”
Kircher succeeds Rod Howell, the founder of Libra Industries. Howell started in the industry working with his father machining customized fasteners. Later, he moved into selling industrial diamond cutting tools. In 1980, Howell and his brother, Chris, founded Libra Industries. Over the next 40 years, Howell led the successful growth of Libra into a world-class EMS contract manufacturer.
In 2019, Howell sold a majority of Libra to CapitalWorks. In 2020, he led the merger of Libra with GEM City Engineering and Manufacturing and also led the acquisition of the former Benchmark Technologies facility in Guaymas, Mexico. Howell will remain an owner and board member. He said, “Libra is in a great position and in great hands for a transition. I am proud of our accomplishments, but even more excited about the future of this incredible business.”
Todd Martin, Managing Director and President of CapitalWorks, expressed his gratitude toward Howell’s “leadership and partnership” while welcoming Jim Kircher as the “right leader for the next generation of Libra.”
Libra Industries continues to invest to provide customized manufacturing solutions to help make its customers more competitive and improve their profitability. For more information about Libra Industries, visit www.libraindustries.com.
Libra Industries is a leading provider of Systems Integration & Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), serving OEMs with complex or technologically sophisticated manufacturing requirements in a broad range of industries including Medical, Mil/Aerospace, Industrial, Semiconductor, Robotics and Communications. Six world-class manufacturing facilities allow Libra Industries to provide customers with manufacturing flexibility including complete system build, module and subassembly production, as well as simple to complex PC board assembly. With an ongoing commitment to investment in people, quality systems, and the latest manufacturing equipment and processes, Libra Industries is committed to managing their clients’ products from initial design and prototype to full production; assisting their clients in their efforts to improve time to market, reduce total systems cost, and increase quality.
