Power Equipment Company: Driving Growth Through Executive Headhunting

Securing Transformational Leadership

Hiring a president is one of the most critical hiring decisions an organisation can make, as appointing the wrong leader can have a significant impact on business success as well as wasted costs, project delays, poor employee engagement, and growth limitations.

Unlike traditional recruitment channels, which produce high volumes of unsuitable applicants, executive search cuts through the noise and delivers only candidates with the required level of experience and expertise. Crucially, it also ensures complete confidentiality, which protects the sensitive interests of both the hiring company and the candidates involved.

Identifying a president who could stabilise the company while preparing it for transformation required strong market knowledge and the ability to engage senior leaders who were not actively searching for a new role. This is where CSG Talent’s consultative headhunting approach provided unmatched value.

A Targeted Executive Search Approach

CSG Talent approached the assignment with a tailored executive search strategy that balanced pace with precision. Alex worked directly with David Matz, President of ML Holdings, to build a clear picture of the technical expertise and leadership style required for the role. This consultative approach is crucial to executive search, as it ensures that candidates are not only qualified on paper but also aligned with the long-term vision and culture of the business.

Once the brief was established, Alex conducted extensive market mapping and direct outreach to senior executives already excelling in similar roles. Unlike traditional recruitment channels, which rely on candidates actively applying for jobs, this headhunting strategy tapped into a much smaller and more exclusive talent pool that businesses would have limited exposure to without partnering with an executive search specialist. By narrowing the field so precisely, CSG Talent removed the burden of screening from ML Holdings’ leadership team and allowed them to focus only on the candidates with the potential to genuinely succeed in the role.

One of those candidates was Marc Dowdell. The strength of the search process meant that when he was introduced, it quickly became clear that he was the right fit for the role. CSG Talent’s services did not end there, as Alex then acted as a trusted intermediary throughout the process, advising on negotiations and ensuring both sides were aligned. He even travelled to Colorado to meet directly with ML Holdings and PECO, strengthening the relationship in person and providing hands-on support throughout the hiring process.

CSG Talent also supported the relocation process by making sure Marc and his wife were put in contact with local real estate agents in Denver. These additional elements are what make executive search partners so valuable, as it creates a partnership that goes beyond sourcing talent to help clients secure their preferred candidate with minimal disruption.

Marc’s impact was immediate, as within his first month he identified major challenges that would require significant restructuring, including an executive team nearing retirement and the lack of a dedicated sales management function. Recognising the scale of the task, he contacted CSG Talent for further support. Through the same targeted headhunting methods, Alex went on to place a Sales Manager, a Vice President of Sales, and a Director of Aggregate Parts who all brought the expertise needed to strengthen PECO’s leadership and sales capabilities.