Elkay Manufacturing Names New Leader

Elkay Manufacturing announced today Ric Phillips will serve as president and CEO. He replaces Tim Jahnke, who led the company since 2007, and is retiring from day-to-day leadership, but will remain on Elkay's board of directors.

With more than 2,500 employees worldwide, Oakbrook, Ill.-based Elkay manufactures plumbing and water delivery products. It's also the parent company of Elkay Interior Systems, a global interior design and manufacturing company, and Elkay Commercial Systems, a stainless commercial kitchen products business.

Phillips was formerly president and CEO of Essendant Inc. (formerly United Stationers Inc.) and worked at McKinsey & Co. for 14 years.

"It is an exciting time to join Elkay, and I feel honored to fill this important role at such a pivotal moment in the company's history," said Phillips.

"As Tim steps away from day-to-day leadership and more fully into his position on the board, it is a pleasure that a leader of Ric's caliber has agreed to join our company in this key leadership role as president and CEO,” Ron Katz, Elkay's chairman of the board of directors, said in a statement. “I have every confidence in his ability to lead our company forward."