Weidmuller USA hires president and CEO

Randy Sadler is the new president and CEO of Chesterfield County-based industrial connectivity and automation company Weidmuller USA, German parent company Weidmüller Group announced Thursday.  

Sadler succeeds Bernd Schröder, who died unexpectedly in late 2023. Weidmüller Group creates smart industrial connectivity products and solutions to connect and automate electrical power and signaling for components, machines and installations.

Sadler will work to expand the company’s engineering and production footprint in the U.S. He started his career at Weidmuller USA, where he worked for 15 years and rose to the role of vice president of sales.

“I am thrilled to rejoin Weidmuller USA and lead the company forward at this pivotal time for our industry,” Sadler said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with the very talented local and global teams to accelerate the industrial internet of things innovation and create more value for our U.S. customers.”

Sadler has held sales and marketing managerial positions at several companies, including Dialight, Johnson Matthey, CoaLogix and SCR-Tech. Sadler also owned a catalytic reduction consulting business, Sadler Environmental Consulting. Most recently, Sadler was vice president of power generation for Catalytic Combustion’s power emissions group.

“We are pleased to have gained Randy Sadler for this challenging task,” Weidmüller Group Chief Sales Officer Timo Berger said in a statement. “He is an experienced executive who knows the company very well. Randy held various positions at Weidmuller from 1985 to 2000. … His many years of management experience and his broad industry expertise offer the best prerequisites for this.”

Sadler holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville. He’s held professional memberships in Electrical Generating Systems Association, 7×24 Exchange, and Western Turbine Users. He also has authored or co-authored articles on catalytic reduction and fuel cell technology in industry publications like Diesel & Gas Turbine Worldwide and Connector Supplier.

Founded in 1850, Weidmüller Group has production sites, sales offices and employees in more than 80 countries. It began operating in Chesterfield in 1975. The company is building a $16.4 million engineering and production facility in Chesterfield, adding 24,000 square feet to its current facility. Weidmüller Group and Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the expansion in April 2023, and the company is on track to complete the expansion in September, according to a spokesperson.