On Aug. 11, Â Matthews International Corporation announced that its board of directors has appointed Michael J. Whitehead as president and chief executive officer, succeeding Joseph C. Bartolacci, who recently announced his intention to retire following more than two decades of leadership of the company.
The appointment follows a comprehensive and deliberate succession planning process led by the board of directors to identify the executive best positioned to lead Matthews into its next phase of evolution, innovation and value creation.
Following its review, the board opted to go with an outside candidate, unanimously selecting Whitehead, an industrial technology executive with a distinguished record of driving innovation, operational excellence and profitable growth across global manufacturing businesses.
Whitehead joins Matthews from Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., a global leader in advanced manufacturing, automation, and industrial technology solutions. He most recently served as executive vice president and president, Americas Welding, leading Lincoln Electric’s largest and most profitable business, representing more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue.
A unique combination of business leadership, engineering expertise, and legal acumen have distinguished Whitehead throughout his professional career. An electrical engineer and patent attorney, Whitehead joined Lincoln Electric in 2005 as chief counsel, intellectual property, and ascended within the organization, holding a series of increasingly significant strategic and operational leadership positions. Most notably, he served as president, global automation, cutting and additive solutions from 2019 through 2025, where he more than doubled the business to over $1 billion in revenue, helping establish Lincoln Electric as a global leader in automation and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Previously, Whitehead held various leadership roles as senior vice president, strategy and business development, president of Lincoln Electric Canada, and research and development leader, gaining extensive experience in innovation, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, global operations, product development and commercial excellence.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Commenting on his appointment, Whitehead said: “I am honored to have been selected as president and chief executive officer of Matthews International and grateful for the board’s confidence. Matthews has built a strong reputation through innovation, trusted customer relationships and the dedication of its employees around the world. I look forward to working closely with the board and our global team to sharpen our strategic focus, strengthen execution, and create sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”
As Matthews enters this new chapter, the company remains focused on executing its strategic priorities, thoughtfully investing in innovation and technology, delivering exceptional service to customers and creating sustainable long-term value for all stakeholders.
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