Manufacturing 2023: ROB WERGE

Werge became president and CEO of Cadence, a contract manufacturer of medical and drug delivery devices, last year. He has more than 30 years of experience in technology-driven contract manufacturing, including leadership positions at Nypro (now Jabil Healthcare), where he led its consumer and electronics business for the Americas region and also led India operations. He also served as vice president and general manager of Phillips-Medisize’s global commercial division.

A subsidiary of private equity firm Kohlberg & Co., Cadence employs more than 700 people at its corporate headquarters in Staunton and locations in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Costa Rica. In January, Cadence acquired Connecticut-based Utitec, a manufacturer specializing in miniature medical device components, for an undisclosed amount. Werge said in a statement that the acquisition “better positions Cadence to lead the medical device contract manufacturing industry through investment, innovation and faster growth to best meet our customers’ evolving needs.”

Werge has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut and attended Harvard Business School’s leadership development program.