Periods of transition reveal the true measure of leadership. Greg Immell, Chief Executive Officer, stepped into Saporito Finishing Co. during one of those defining moments, bringing clarity, discipline and respect to a business navigating shifting market realities. His arrival in August 2024 marked the beginning of a strategic reset for the nearly century-old, family-owned manufacturer, one grounded in listening first, acting decisively and honoring both people and promises.

Immell joined the organization at a time when a significant portion of its work remained tied to hydraulics and automotive markets that had been softening for an extended period. Rather than retreat, he moved outward. One of his earliest priorities involved personally visiting the company’s most important customers, rebuilding trust, reopening conversations and uncovering opportunities that had gone dormant. Those meetings produced renewed quoting activity and the recovery of previously lost relationships, reinforcing the value of presence and follow-through.

Inside the organization, Immell led a comprehensive assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, paired with a customer segmentation effort that sharpened focus on industries offering stronger long-term potential. These insights guided the sales team toward sectors better aligned with future growth, helping stabilize performance despite continued headwinds in legacy markets. He also addressed visibility, modernizing the company’s digital footprint through search optimization, marketing automation and lead generation initiatives that began to generate early momentum.

Trust within the leadership team followed quickly. That alignment allowed Immell to introduce a refreshed mission and values framework designed to resonate across the organization. From that foundation emerged a clear ambition: a growth plan supported by investment in a new finishing capability, expansion of existing product lines, automation and deeper customer loyalty. The goal was not speed for its own sake, but durable progress built on execution and accountability. Recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree reflects the impact of that early leadership during a pivotal year.

His approach to the future of work centers on opportunity. Automation, robotics and artificial intelligence are viewed as tools to elevate roles rather than replace them, improving quality, efficiency and job satisfaction. Succession planning, mentorship and training ensure employees can envision advancement within the company. Immell stays close to that reality by spending time on the production floor, listening to insights from new and experienced team members alike and incorporating those perspectives into daily decision-making.

The journey that brought him to Saporito Finishing spans decades of growth leadership in the foodservice industry, shaped by sales experience, advanced business education and roles guiding organizations through transformation and value creation. That background informs a collaborative, data-driven style now applied to a business rooted in tradition yet ready for renewal.

For Immell, progress is personal. Walking the floor, visiting customers and recognizing effort sustain his energy and reinforce why reliability matters. Under his leadership, Saporito Finishing is honoring its past while activating a future defined by trust, adaptability and shared purpose.