Our Consultants » John H. Ruth
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
An Excellent Facilitator
Successful consulting experience in computer software sales and marketing, retailing, distribution rationalization, corporate process development, strategy creation, and business turnaround.
Effective leader with highly developed planning, motivating and communications skills.
Senior executive with extensive operations and marketing skills. Specialist at creating and leading market driven organizations. Successful in start up and turnaround situations with experience in North American, European, South American, and Asian markets.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SALES AND MARKETING
Organized and managed an independent distribution system for business to business long distance telephone service in the U S market. Revenue reached $9 million and profitability in the 12th month of operation.
Increased market share in a Swedish distribution company from 4% to 12% in three years while going from a loss to a 10% return on sales.
Reorganized a complete industrial products distribution system in the United Kingdom in one year without loss of market share, and improved operating profit by $800,000 per annum.
Increased market share for a U. S. Farm Equipment Company from 7% to 10% with positive cash flow four straight years in a dramatically falling market.
OPERATIONS
Downsized ($800 million) North American operations of a multinational corporation to lower break-even point and become cash generative. Moved from a $25 million cash deficit to a cumulative $80 million cash generative position in four years.
Organized and led a central marketing function of a $3.0 billion worldwide company. Reduced advertising agencies from 35 to 3. Reduced marketing costs by three percentage points while focusing the business on meeting customer needs, including the successful introduction of products appropriate to the customer served. Reduced warranty costs to 1% of sales.
Increased corporate net worth by over 50% to $14 million in four years in a regional conglomerate while increasing dividends by 80%, restructuring 20 diverse businesses into 5 operating divisions, and created a company wide computerized planning system. Business units included financial services, furniture and woolen factories, Holiday Inn hotels, 25,000 acre farm, residential housing developments, electric, water and telephone utilities.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Identified market opportunity in Thailand, sold marketing approach and business plan to the Board of Directors, organized the company in Bangkok and operated it for 3 years. Company and products still hold a strong position in the market.
Recruited a Japanese partner and negotiated marketing contract for Japanese market for equipment distribution. Fifteen years later, the marketing arrangements still existed. Relationship has broadened to joint ventures in manufacturing and engineering.
TURNAROUND MANAGEMENT
Changed product positioning in a U. S. Company from high spec to value for money. Resourced all product to European factories, permitting U. S. factory closure and $50 million in cost reduction.
Identified a major market demographic change in the United States. Completely abandoned the old marketing approach, moving all field resources to the new niche. Increased market share, lowered marketing costs, and earned higher operating margins of three percentage points.
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
YEAR |
Position/Duties |
Company |
|---|---|---|
1996 - Present |
President |
Ruth Consulting Group, Ltd. |
1989 - 1996 |
Chief Executive Officer |
Amana Society, Inc. |
1987 - 1989 |
President Agency Division |
TELECONNECT USA |
1979 - 1987 |
President Massey Ferguson, Inc. |
Massey Ferguson, Inc. |
1963 -1979 |
Promoted through a series of increasingly responsible management, marketing, and sales positions on four continents, concluding with the position of Director of Sales Branches Europe, Africa, and the Middle East located in Mannheim, Germany. |
EDUCATION
1955-1959
U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York
Bachelor of Science Degree
RECENT AFFILIATIONS
Board of Directors- U S Bank Cedar Rapids, IA 1993-present www.usbank.com
Board of Directors Henderson Manufacturing, Inc. 2005 to present www.henderson-mfg.com
Board of Directors Apache Hose & Belting Co. Inc.2001-2003 www.apachehb.com
Advisory Board- Priority One, Cedar Rapids, IA 1992-2000 (Chair 1995-1996)
Board of Elders- Westminster Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA 1996-present www.crwpc.org
Board of Directors- Amana Nordstrom, Amana, IA.1989-1996
Board of Directors- United Way, Cedar Rapids, IA 1990-1991
Board of Directors- Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce 1996