David McEachern steps down from TD Wright
Following 35 years as a supplier to global can makers David McEachern has announced he will step down as president of TD Wright.
David, who will be succeeded by his son Joe, had an unusual career path as he graduated from Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota, in 1978 as a history major. As a result he was arguably not the most obvious choice to go into the can making sector. However, Theodore Wright, owner of magnetic cylinder and systems business TD Wright, would later say of the his appointment, “We hired him and never regretted it.”
TD Wright, had been incorporated in 1977, and was also based in St Paul. By the time David joined in 1979 he was still only the second person not in the Wright family to work there.
The job quickly became a passion and obsession as David devoted himself to the company and wore a lot of different hats across the business as he developed his career. He did everything from cylinder assembly, to attending trade shows and hiring new employees.
But, even while his responsibilities grew he also worked to better himself by studying for and completing his MBA from St Thomas University. His perseverance and talent were recognised and rewarded as he moved from operations manager to vice president, and then eventually, to the top job as president. During this time he had to steer the company through good times as well as bad, constantly focusing on innovation during economic slumps to avoid laying off employees at all costs.
His constant effort to improve and innovate created the foundations for the success the company continues to enjoy now. Throughout his career David always thought ahead and first started converting the shop from manual machines, to CNC in 1995 to keep up with production and competition.
This innovation is recognised in the 10 patents he was granted during his career, the most notable of which was the Modular Magnetic design and the ENOC System. The Modular Magnetic Design eliminates dead bands, cogging, and provides an even hold across the face of the cylinder. While the ENOC System was designed as a quick change system for the Rutherford Decorator, the circumferential and axial adjustments are in the tapered shaft, rather than the cylinder hub, allowing for a lighter cylinder, and faster label changes.
Close friend Peter Strode of Intercan Group said, “As sales distributors for TD Wright products to the can industry, Intercan has enjoyed a long and happy professional relationship which has developed into a close personal friendship with Dave. The industry will miss his, often low key, presence and engineering initiatives. His conception and development of the ENOC cylinder has become the industry standard and we should all be grateful for his input.
“On a personal basis I will keep in close touch with Dave during his retirement but will miss the many travels and experiences that we have enjoyed together over the past 25 years. I also look forward to consolidating our relationship with his son Joey who, at the helm of TD Wright will continue to promote Dave’s ideas in the future.”