Guardian's Zoulek Promoted to Oversee Broader Region

Guardian Industries has named Rick Zoulek vice president of flat glass for the Americas.

Zoulek, who will oversee all aspects of Guardian’s North and South American flat glass, was most recently vice president of Flat Glass for North America.

“Rick’s commercial expertise and strong leadership will provide our North America and South America businesses with broader capabilities that will support our operational and commercial needs throughout the entire region,” says Kevin Baird, president, Guardian Flat Glass.

In addition to Guardian’s seven U.S. float glass plants and fabrication operations in the United States and Canada, Zoulek’s expanded territory includes float glass plants in Brazil (two), Mexico and Venezuela. The company also has distribution centers in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru.

Zoulek joined Guardian in August 2013, and according to the company, he and his team have since made significant operational and commercial improvements across North America. Previously, Zoulek was a corporate officer and vice president of industrial coatings for PPG Industries, where he spent 24 years in various roles of increasing responsibility.

”My focus will be to improve the value we create for our customers, strengthen our portfolio of innovative products and services in the region and achieve operational excellence in both North and South America, all with the goal of attaining long-term growth for the company,” says Zoulek.