Nichols Portland appoints Thomas K Houck as new President and CEO
June 12, 2018
Nichols Portland’s manufacturing facility in Portland, Maine, USA (Courtesy Nichols Portland LLC)
Nichols Portland LLC, headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, has announced Thomas K Houck as its new President and CEO. Nichols Portland focuses on the design and manufacture of fluid transfer devices (pumps), as well as producing a wide range of products for the automotive, on-off highway and other industrial markets.
As the former VP of Operations for ARC Group Worldwide, Houck brings over twenty-five years of continued experience in the Powder Metallurgy industry. With Nichols Portland’s focus on technology and innovation for the future of the company, Houck commented, “As the President and CEO, my role is to continue to position the company for growth. With over eighty-five years designing and manufacturing gerotors, vanes, gearing and gerotor pumps, the company has a deep-rooted understanding of all types of powdered metal components and pumping systems.”
Nichols Portland produces a wide range of Powder Metallurgy components (Courtesy Nichols Portland LLC)
Nichols Portland is said to be a one-stop-shop for Powder Metallurgy components and a CNC solution provider for automotive, off-highway and industrial applications with compacting presses ranging up to 750 tons. The company also provides systems engineering to its customers as well as a complete fluid power and fluid transfer device package.
In the late 1920s, the W.H. Nichols Company became the world’s first manufacturer of gerotors and gerotor pumps. Working in partnership with the inventor of the gerotor (Myron Hill), W.H. Nichols invented the first equipment capable of producing this very complex gear shape. After 85 years of continuous experience in the manufacturing, design, application, testing and validation of these products, today Nichols Portland’s customers range from small, niche pump manufactures to major automotive OEMs. “Nichols has helped its customers create innovative products that have cemented their position in the markets they serve,” continued Houck. “We are committed to supporting and growing our existing customer base, while also seeking opportunities for new applications in other sectors and markets.
“We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Tom to Nichols Portland LLC, and fully support him in his efforts to lead the company on its next journey,” stated Russell Greenberg, Chairman of Altus Capital Partners, the investment firm behind Nichols Portland. With Nichols Portland’s long tradition of providing innovative solutions for its customers and Tom’s proven track record in growing businesses in Powder Metallurgy, we see a great deal of potential for growth in this sector.”
