Industrial PVF distributor Chicago Tube & Iron announced a pair of recent promotions. First, Executive Vice President and COO Bill Zielinski announced the promotion of Steve West to vice president of engineered products effective Jan. 1.

Also, Zielinski announced the promotion of Raul Saucedo to the newly created position of operations manager of the entire Romeoville warehouse facility effective Jan. 1.

In his new capacity, West will report directly to Zielinski and have the responsibility to grow sales while improving production efficiency for general line fabrication, laser, production cutting and power at CTI facilities in Romeoville, Locust and Owatonna.

West previously was general manager of general line fabrication and more recently was director of engineered products.

“Over his journey of increased responsibilities Steve has established a track record of success,” Zielinski said. “Steve’s 30 years of management experience within various industrial settings, combined with a master’s of business administration degree from Akron University along with a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State have prepared him to lead this critical area of value-added services CTI provides to our growing account base.”

“With the formalization of our strategic plan punctuation the need for improved operational coordination and efficiencies, this is a most critical initiative for our future success,” Zielinski said. “Raul will coordinate the combined production resources of distribution, laser, fabrication, welding and bending to fully utilize technology and efficiency improvements in the highly competitive markets CTI serves.”

Saucedo has 28 years of operational experience specific to the industry. He holds an industrial engineering degree from the University of Illinois, as well as a certification in strategic metals management from Washington University.

“This makes him uniquely qualified to successfully direct the operations of the combined Romeoville facility,” said Zielinski, who noted Saucedo will report to Steve West and Sean Vietti.