Helios Technologies names new board chair as Lemaitre retires

SARASOTA, Fla. - Helios Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: HLIO), a global provider of motion control and electronic controls technology, has announced the appointment of Laura Dempsey Brown as its new Board Chair, effective immediately. She succeeds Philippe Lemaitre, who is retiring after a tenure on the Board since 2007, including serving as Chair since 2013.

Sean Bagan, President, CEO, and CFO of Helios, expressed gratitude for Lemaitre’s leadership and welcomed Brown, anticipating a continued trajectory of growth and value maximization for stakeholders. Bagan highlighted the company’s evolution during Lemaitre’s tenure and his valuable counsel.

Brown, who joined the Helios Board in April 2020, has a history of leadership roles, including serving as Senior Vice President at W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), a $46.67 billion market cap company with impressive financial metrics including a 59% return on equity. According to InvestingPro, Grainger has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years and operates with strong financial health. Her experience spans various executive positions, including finance, marketing, and strategy. Brown is also recognized for her involvement in professional networks and nonprofit boards.

In her statement, Brown acknowledged Helios’s strong foundation and expressed her commitment to enhancing the company’s performance and shareholder returns. She has previously chaired the Audit and ESG Committees and participated in the CEO search committee.

Helios Technologies, with a presence in over 90 countries, focuses on niche markets, delivering premier products and solutions through innovation and acquisitions. The company has a history of consistent shareholder dividends since becoming public in 1997. InvestingPro analysis indicates that Grainger, where Brown previously served, is currently trading above its Fair Value at $967.82 per share. Investors can access detailed valuation metrics and 12 additional ProTips about Grainger through InvestingPro’s comprehensive research reports, available for over 1,400 US stocks.

The transition in leadership is part of Helios’s planned succession process, ensuring continuity and strategic governance. The information provided in this announcement is based on a press release statement from Helios Technologies.

In other recent news, W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, slightly missing both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts. The company’s EPS was $9.71, below the expected $9.77, and revenue was $4.23 billion, falling short of the anticipated $4.25 billion. Despite these misses, Grainger achieved a 4.2% increase in full-year sales, totaling $17.2 billion, with an operating margin of 15.5% and a return on invested capital of 41.6%. RBC Capital Markets adjusted its price target for Grainger to $1,112, maintaining a Sector Perform rating, following the company’s modest operating miss in the fourth quarter. Erste Group downgraded Grainger’s stock rating from Buy to Hold, citing projections of lower profit growth in 2025 compared to the previous year and the sector average. Moody’s affirmed Grainger’s A2 rating, shifting the outlook to positive, due to the company’s strong financial standing, low financial leverage, and robust free cash flow. These developments highlight Grainger’s ongoing challenges and strategic focus amidst varying analyst perspectives.

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