Homer Laughlin China Company Promotes Adkins to Director, Technical and Operations

The Homer Laughlin China Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Sean Adkins, PE, to the newly created position of Director, Technical and Operations.

In his new role, Adkins is responsible for homogenizing day-to-day operations of the company’s engineering and maintenance departments. Adkins is also responsible for overseeing the company’s Plant #8, originally built in 1928 and now one of the company’s most-automated production facilities.

“My goal is to focus on efficiency, cost savings and quality improvements at Plant #8 in the near term,” said Adkins, “and to develop longer-term strategies to boost profitability and streamline manufacturing through operational improvements for all of HLC.”

Adkins, a licensed Professional Engineer, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science in Safety and Environmental Management, both from West Virginia University. He brings to the position almost 20 years of progressive experience at Homer Laughlin, having held positions in the company’s maintenance management, environmental engineering, safety management, project management, and general engineering departments.

“I’m excited about this position,” remarked Adkins. “Homer Laughlin is an astounding American manufacturing story. Its 140-plus year legacy is worth preserving, and now I’m honored with the opportunity to help shape the next 100 years.”

Elizabeth McIlvain, president of Homer Laughlin, was equally pleased that Adkins accepted the newly created role. “Sean’s experience in our engineering and maintenance departments was important. Combining some of the managerial responsibilities to create efficiencies made sense operationally, and Sean was a perfect fit,” said McIlvain. “His efforts are an important part of our always-improving customer experience.”