Blanchard leaves United Copper, Hykin named president, COO

United Copper Industries, Inc. (UCI), Denton, Texas, announced today that Andy Blanchard has resigned his position as president and chief executive officer of UCI, effective immediately, to pursue other interests. The company said Jeff Hykin is joining UCI as president and chief operating officer. Hykin most recently served as vice president, Portfolio Operations, with private equity firm KPS, where he led operational and business improvement programs at a number of KPS portfolio companies. Prior to joining KPS, he held executive leadership positions with Evergreen Packaging Corp. and Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc., a former KPS portfolio company. Hykin earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

“We are excited that Jeff is joining UCI to lead the company and its excellent work force,” said David Shapiro, UCI’s chairman. “Jeff brings a unique combination of leadership skills, a strong manufacturing background and business development expertise across a variety of industries. This appointment represents a natural progression in the evolution of UCI as we seek to enhance the company’s customer focus and commitment to quality, service and operational excellence.”

Ira Glazer will serve as non-executive chairman of UCI and is joining the board of directors of United Copper Holdings, LLC. Glazer most recently served as the president and chief executive officer of WireCo WorldGroup and WireCo’s predecessor company, Wire Rope Corporation of America, which was a KPS portfolio company from 2003 to 2007.