GERMANTOWN, Wis. - AussieJournal -- L.T. Hampel Corp, a leading manufacturer of heavy-gauge, deep-draw thermoformed plastics serving customers globally across a wide breadth of industries, has initiated a leadership transition positioning the company for continued innovation and success.

After more than 20 years of transformative leadership, Hampel's current president, Paul Lorge, has announced his retirement. Steve Everett Jr., a veteran executive with tremendous leadership experience, has joined Hampel as President. Lorge will remain as the organization's CFO into the second half of 2026.

Everett brings 21 years of executive and operational leadership knowledge, most recently as Senior Vice President, Operations, of FCA Packaging, and President of Timber Creek Resource. His diversified career has included leading global brands at companies throughout the Midwest.

Everett is a longtime member of Vistage Worldwide Inc., the world's largest executive coaching and peer advisory organization. He was twice named a Wisconsin Titan 100 by Titan CEO, a program recognizing the state's top CEOs and C-level executives. He holds a B.S. in communications from Ithaca College, and an executive MBA from Lubar College of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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"Steve's diverse background and proven ability to lead, motivate and inspire people towards growth make him an ideal fit for Hampel at a moment where we are poised for continued innovation and expansion into new markets," said Lance Hampel, Founder and Chairman of L.T. Hampel Corp.

"I'm excited to build and grow the market's best heavy-gauge, deep-draw thermoformer, and continue its legacy of innovation and excellence," Everett said. "Hampel is tremendously focused on delivering customer value. I look forward to being part of its inventive culture, and seeking out new opportunities for growth and strengthening customer relationships."

Lorge has guided the company through a period of significant growth and expansion since 2005. Under his leadership:

• Annual sales more than tripled, as Hampel significantly grew its customer base in agricultural, sanitation and OEM markets, plus farm and ranch retail
• The company's manufacturing footprint more than doubled to meet increasing demand, as proprietary brands such as Calf-Tel, Hampel's Ultimate Chicken Coop, Hampel's Farmstead Feeders and Hampel's Happy Hut gained ever-increasing market shares
• Employing more than 200 across an international footprint, the company established a wholly-owned GmbH subsidiary in Oberdischingen, Germany, strengthening its presence in the European market
• Its team pioneered innovation in robotics that continually pushed the limits of advancements in plastics manufacturing
• Plastic sheet extrusion was brought online in Germantown, a tremendous leap in vertically integrating Hampel's operations
• A 15,000-square-foot steel fabrication plant was opened in Fredericksburg, Texas, further vertically integrating operations with production of steel parts and accessories to support Hampel's animal care division

"Leading this company has been the honor of my professional life," Lorge said. "Our success is a testament to our employees' dedication and our customers' trust. Moving toward retirement, I am confident that Hampel is well positioned for continued growth."

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"We are immensely grateful to Paul for his exceptional leadership, personal integrity, and dedicated service to the company and our employees over the past 20 years," Lance Hampel continued. "His strategic approach, commitment to excellence and business acumen, have left an indelible mark on the organization and its employees. Having worked closely with Paul, I know he will be greatly missed. However, true to form, we're excited that he's agreed to stay on for a transition period and set Steve up for success."

Founded in 1976, L.T. Hampel Corp. operates on a mantra of "Take Shape," a commitment to help its customers achieve the impossible. Through nonstop dedication to advancing technology and streamlining manufacturing, its talented team strives to perfect the art and science of heavy-gauge, deep-draw thermoforming … and thus turn customers' most monumental challenges into tangible, structural realities that take shape and form success. An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Hampel has earned repeated awards for thermoforming and business excellence. More information is available at www.hampelcorp.com.