Paul Reitz: Much More Than a ‘Stodgy Old Industry’

In this episode, host Gaurav Batra welcomes Paul Reitz, President and CEO of Titan International, to discuss Titan’s unique niche in the industry and how a focus on the end-user drives their value creation in products and services around the globe. Mr. Reitz shares his journey at Titan’s helm and offers a wide-ranging discussion on several critical topics including business resiliency through challenging periods, talent acquisition and retention, Board makeup and management and the overall outlook for the agriculture and construction industries. 

Paul Reitz joined Titan International, a leading global supplier of off-the-road wheel and tire products, in 2010 as CFO. Prior to Titan, Paul was Chief Accounting Officer at Carmike Cinemas, with previous roles at Yellowbook USA and Deloitte & Touche.  Paul earned an MBA in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Iowa.

Discussion Points

• Titan offers a unique value proposition in a truly niche industry, while placing strong emphasis on connecting with their end customers as the pillar of the company’s strategy.
• Titan remains bullish on the long-term growth potential of the agriculture and construction industries, despite today’s challenging economic dynamics.
• A timely restructuring program in 2019 bolstered the company’s resiliency through the forthcoming COVID-19 pandemic and attendant global supply chain challenges.
• Patience and a commitment to invest time and resources in due diligence are the hallmarks of a winning M&A strategy.
• A diverse Board of Directors can be a meaningful tailwind for corporate decision-making.
• Industrial companies are not “stodgy old places that run down” but rather are a shining example of where technological innovation can have a significant impact.
• Successful talent acquisition and retention in the industrial sector requires identifying people who really buy into the company’s mission and objectives.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. Ayna.AI is an affiliate of Fernweh. The host of this episode, Gaurav Batra, is the President and CEO of Ayna.AI. Fernweh Group is an investment company that is adapting an engaged investor and operator model to create “segment of one” leaders in the industrial and industrial technology sector.

For More Information

Paul Reitz LinkedIn

Titan International Website

Book: The Titanium Economy

Ayna.AI Website 

Fernweh Group Website