Bunker Hill Capital Announces News from Hubbardton Forge

Posted on 6/15/2020 in Announcements

Boston, MA -- (June 2020) Bunker Hill Capital is pleased to share some exciting news from our portfolio company, Hubbardton Forge ("Hubbardton Forge", "the Forge", or "the company"), which is headquartered in Castleton, VT.

In addition to having manufacturing back in full swing, and working hard to reduce lead times every day, the company recently announced some senior leadership changes.

 

Bubba Sandford stepped into the CEO role on April 1st and joins the Forge with extensive C-suite experience as CEO, COO, and President of highly successful, publicly-traded firms, including Sonoma Pharmaceuticals and Command Center, among others.

With his strong background in staffing and keen business acumen, gained from experience and his MBA from Cornell University, combined with his service as a U.S. Navy SEAL, Bubba came to Hubbardton Forge at just the right time, helping the company make tactical decisions enabling it to successfully navigate through manufacturing shutdown and reopening to full production in just his first two months.

“I’m excited to join Hubbardton Forge. We’ve successfully navigated the COVID crisis, and expect to come out of it as a stronger organization.” Mr. Sanford underscores, “We design great products and we make great products. Right here, under-one-roof in Vermont.”

 

Maria (Scutaro) Mullen assumed the newly-created role of President and COO at Hubbardton Forge on June 1st. Widely-known and respected in the lighting industry, Maria has a long history with Feiss, having held a number of leadership roles over an 11-year period beginning in 1998 and culminating in her role there as President of Feiss/Monte Carlo, until the company’s final move to Skokie, IL.

She took a 4-year hiatus from 2005-09 to lead the sales efforts at Uttermost. Most recently, Maria had started Kalizma, a company offering turnkey design-through-production/sourcing of lighting, developing collections for various brands. Maria comes to Hubbardton Forge with a wealth of knowledge of both the company and the industry. Well-known among industry peers, sales rep’ agencies, and customers, Maria is excited to have the opportunity to assume this leadership role at one of the industry’s most award-winning brands in the lighting industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people for great brands in my lighting career and I am thrilled by the opportunity to join the dynamic team at Hubbardton Forge. It is a line I have long admired and I am excited to bring ‘Made in Vermont’ lighting to new heights.”

 

David Kitts, an 11-year veteran as Design Director of Hubbardton Forge, was recently promoted to the role of V.P. of Design and Product Strategy. Among his many qualifications and credentials, he holds a Master’s in Industrial & Product Design from the venerable Pratt Institute, along with an Engineering degree from Cornell.

David has been responsible not only for some of the company’s most iconic designs, but also for the leadership of the design, engineering and customs teams at the company, including the Hubbardton Forge, Vermont Modern, Synchronicity and Art + Alchemy brands. “True design talent is what built the Hubbardton Forge brand and David has led that effort for many years,” said the company’s new President, Maria Mullen. “This is a well-deserved promotion and another step in David’s distinguished career.”

David reflected, “I’ve been very fortunate to do what I love and be a part of something special here in Vermont with Hubbardton Forge. I look forward to working with both Bubba and Maria as they lead us into the next chapter of our story.”

 

 

About Hubbardton Forge

Founded in 1974, Hubbardton Forge is a Vermont-based premier designer and manufacturer of branded hand-forged premium lighting fixtures. Hubbardton Forge focuses on the premium segment of the lighting fixture industry with products sold both in the U.S. and internationally through a network of over 1,300 accounts serving the residential and commercial markets. Products sold include pendants, sconces, outdoor fixtures, chandeliers, semi-flush ceiling fixtures, table lamps, floor lamps, and other accessories. The company offers over 900 base products across multiple design families, and offers the ability to customize each product with various finishes, glass, and shading options, and other accessories. The hand-forged manufacturing process and "Made In Vermont" quality is unique to the Hubbardton Forge brand and gives true meaning to the Company’s slogan: “Modern American Blacksmiths”. 

www.hubbardtonforge.com 
www.vtforge.com