Where many see the steel fabrication market with a lot of risk, Frank Zimmerman sees it as an opportunity – opportunities to adapt to the changing global markets, employer markets and continuous technological advances. He has taken full control of these opportunities as the chief operations officer and part owner of RBW Companies & R.B. White at the age of 31, making him one of the few executives under 35 in the manufacturing industry.
RBW Companies & R.B. White is a metal manufacturing firm with a mission to help its partners thrive by providing customized manufacturing solutions on-time squared (delivered on time, as expected, at a fair price). The firm’s product lines are refresher golf carts for golf courses, front-end merchandisers, outdoor merchandisers and metal fixturing for Hallmark greeting cards.
Under Zimmerman’s leadership, the firm turned the Arizona plant profitable after 15 years of operating at a loss, grew the FEM product line from $1.5 million in annual revenue to $4.5 million in annual revenue, and implemented changes in shipping and packaging that have led to over 10,000 pounds less of plastic being used between plants while growing the product’s margin by close to 5%.
“He actively wants to be disruptive in the market and to prove to the market that your impact matters and the ends do not justify the means,” said Zimmerman’s staff. “Frank is energized by challenges and believes they are the greatest source of opportunity.”
Looking forward, Zimmerman expects to grow revenues with existing customers by 15% by 2026 and increase annual revenue by $40 million in five years. Zimmerman also said he plans to lead the firm to quantify its carbon footprint and set goals to improve it. “Making sure we have the right people in the right seats to lead us into the future will lead to growth,” he said.
As a leader, Zimmerman said value comes from the journey and the process, not from the outcome. “It is easy to get caught up in what you think you want, but when it comes to creating value for an organization or finding fulfillment in work or life, it all stems from your impact,” he said. “Impact is not something that happens overnight; it is a combination of small changes and efforts made throughout the journey of life.”
Being persistent is his secret superpower, said Zimmerman. “A mentor once told me that I am persistent to the point of being annoying,” he said. “I am driven, self-motivated and always willing to get my hands dirty for something I believe in.”
