Top 40 supplier BIC Graphic (asi/40480) has announced that Blair Hawley will be joining the company in the newly created role of chief operating officer, effective March 11. Hawley will be the leader of all operations and support functions, including manufacturing, customer service, procurement, inventory, planning, supply chain and logistics. He will report directly to David Klatt, CEO of BIC Graphic North America.

“Our number-one priority right now is enhancing our customer experience and Blair’s background makes him the perfect person to lead those efforts,” Klatt said in a press release.

Hawley will be directly responsible for delivering a best-in-class customer experience through implementation of key strategic initiatives that will create value and streamline processes. He brings expertise in managing global supply chains with numerous facilities and significant international workforces in highly customizable, multiple order environments.

“I have a passion for continuous improvement and excellence in execution across all elements of the supply chain,” Hawley said. “I look forward to bringing this passion to my new role and providing custom solutions for BIC Graphic customers.”

Blair’s most recent experience was as COO for Heritage Home Group, where he focused on just-in-time execution of custom consumer orders. With a degree in management engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, he has spent his career in supply chain and operations, having led business transformation efforts and strategic partnerships in custom business with well-known consumer brands such as Broyhill, Snuggle, Playtex, Hawaiian Tropic, Ronzoni, Remington and Timex.

With reported 2017 North American promotional product revenue of $313.1 million, BIC Graphic ranked 7^th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest suppliers in the industry.