J Mann-Stadt Biography
Joe Mann-Stadt
Asheville, North Carolina
Prior to forming his own Consulting firm, Joe Mann-Stadt was President and CEO of Sonopress, LLC (USA), one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of entertainment optical media products in the world. Joe was responsible for the company’s North American Operations ($280M, full P&L) including:
- 1800 full time and temporary employees
- Manufacturing and packaging facilities, totaling over 1Million Square Feet, in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Wisconsin
- New York City Sales Offices
During his tenure with Sonopress, he drove sustainable cost reductions, including productivity improvements and reductions in overhead personnel and expenditures. Developing a favorable cost position allowed the company to effectively compete in the US—at a time when petroleum based raw material pricing hit all-time highs.
Joe expanded the sales of the company by initiating and directing the acquisition of the Deluxe Media Distribution operation in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and by reorganizing the Sales Marketing groups. Of note: Joe negotiated the first Hollywood Studio Contract for Sonopress, signing a major Hollywood Studio to a manufacturing and distribution agreement. Additionally, he handled M&A and due diligence activities with Private Equity Interests in London and Paris during the Sonopress-Technicolor merger attempt.
Before Sonopress recruited him, Joe held the position of Vice President Operations with EMI Music Manufacturing (formerly Capitol Records). EMI manufactured and distributed both magnetic and optical media products for the recording industry. Aside from all operational responsibilities for Production, Engineering and Maintenance, I.T., and Procurement, Joe directly managed the company’s MRP Conversion and Supply Chain Improvement project.
Immediately before joining EMI, Joe was the Director of Manufacturing for Wabash Datatech for 5 years, managing a magnetic tape coating operation in Huntley, Illinois and a floppy disk converting facility in Paoli, Indiana.
Joe has a BBA and an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University.
Joe and his wife Rendi, an employment attorney, reside in Asheville, North Carolina.
