For the first time in its 123-year history, Lodge Manufacturing is being headed by a leader outside of the founding Lodge and Kellermann families.
The South Pittsburg manufacturer, the oldest and biggest American maker of cast iron cookware, announced Monday that Mike Otterman has been promoted as the company's new chief executive officer. He succeeds Henry Lodge, who served as the company's CEO for the past three years as part of his 47-year career with the privately held company. Lodge, who will remain as chairman of the board and CEO emeritus for Lodge, plans to retire later this year.
Otterman joined Lodge in June 2016 as the senior vice president of sales and marketing and was promoted to president and chief operating officer in late 2017. He previously was vice president of global marketing and merchandising for the Coleman Co., Inc., vice president of product development at Dick's Sporting Goods and president of the retail division of Focus Products Group LLC, among other jobs.
"Mike Otterman's 20-plus years of experience in the housewares market provides strong and creative leadership," Lodge said in a statement Monday. "We are confident he will lead our company to continued success."
Otterman said he will work with the board to maintain the company's core values: superior manufacturing practices, product innovation, customer satisfaction and a safe, family-focused workplace.
Founded by Joseph Lodge in 1896, Lodge is the oldest continuously operating cast iron cookware foundry and the oldest family-owned cookware company in the United States.