Although the beginning of the COVID pandemic was the toughest time for Sachin Shivaram as a leader and CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, he said it was also the most fun and exhilarating time of his career. As orders evaporated overnight, he led the organization to adapt to the changing environment, but not without a daily memo.
“I wrote a daily memo to our employees for 99 straight days to broadcast important messages to our team about the virus, hygiene, etc., while providing a daily source of humor,” said Shivaram. “Employees started eagerly waiting for the memo and we emerged from the pandemic with a culture that was stronger and more positive than ever.”
It’s his ability to connect with employees is what makes Shivaram stand out as a Titan and a leader, said his colleagues. “I have infinite curiosity to understand the lives of the people around me,” said Shivaram. “I want to know how their lives work, what ignites their passions and how their families are doing.”
This curiosity leads him to walk through the factories without any purpose other than to chit chat with employees. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry is a manufacturing company, producing aluminum castings and machine castings of all types of metals.
With Shivaram in his role as CEO, the company has tripled in revenue and headcount over the past four years and the stock price has risen by 25 percent. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry has made three acquisitions to complement the existing operations and have launched a major expansion of the main factory in Manitowoc.
This success is directly related to Shivaram’s focus on the company culture. When he first joined the company, he realized the culture was in crisis and it was affecting performance. “My first focus was on creating a positive work environment where employees felt motivated and invested in our shared goals,” he said. “I also prioritized building positive relationships with stakeholders, earning trust with the company’s three labor unions and growing the company through strategic acquisitions and capital investments with nearly 800 employees across the Midwest.”
Shivaram believes in leading by example which is why he is involved in the community and promotes diversity and higher education by teaching Business Ethics college courses and by serving on several boards.
“I believe in contributing to my community’s growth and progress and I aim to make it more welcoming for all,” said Shivaram. “If you want to live in a great community, you need to be involved and invest your time and talents to the community.”
For continuing to foster growth personally and professionally, Shivaram has been named a Titan.
