ST. LOUIS, MO, Oct 1, 2025 – Barry-Wehmiller (BW) has named Kyle Chapman as its new CEO, expanding his current role as president effective immediately. He succeeds Bob Chapman, who has been the CEO of the company since 1975 and will continue to serve as chairman of the board.
The company has been led by the Chapman family since 1957, when William A. Chapman became president after joining Barry-Wehmiller in 1953. Ownership transferred to the family in 1963. Bob Chapman joined the business in 1969 and became president following his father, William’s death in 1976. He later assumed the roles of CEO and chairman of the board.
“Our primary responsibility is to ensure a business model where the people in our span of care experience meaningful work, feel safe and valued, and are confident in our shared future,” said Bob. “Throughout Kyle’s time at Barry-Wehmiller, he has added dramatically to that vision. Through this transition, we will continue to work together as father and son, as two stewards of our 12,000-plus team members, to show the world that you can create human and economic vibrancy in harmony.”
Kyle Chapman brings more than 25 years of private equity and operating experience to the CEO role. He began his career at Banc of America Capital Investors, completing about $300 million in investments across multiple industries. He joined Barry-Wehmiller in 2009 as co-founder of BW Forsyth Partners, the company’s $850 million hybrid equity firm that combines investment strategies with culture development and business growth. From 2015 to 2019, he served as a strategic financial advisor to Barry-Wehmiller’s leadership team, strengthening the company’s focus on culture. In 2020, Kyle was appointed interim chief financial officer before being named president. With more than a decade of experience inside the company, his promotion to CEO reflects both his understanding of the business and his alignment with its leadership approach.
“I’m honored to lead Barry-Wehmiller and am deeply grateful for the strong foundation my father and his leadership teams established,” said Kyle. “I’m fiercely committed to building on my dad’s legacy by demonstrating that a company can achieve extraordinary financial strength without compromising its commitment to people. We will show the world that it is possible to be both a model of human-centered leadership and a top-quartile performer. If we continue this trajectory, others will follow – not just because of our performance, but because we’re fulfilling our purpose of building a better world through business.”
In assuming the CEO role, Kyle Chapman outlined the following points of BW as a company that demonstrate its commitment to redefining “success” in business:
- History and track record of acquisitions with a permanent capital mindset: BW has acquired more than 145 companies with a perpetual hold mindset.
- Tested and enduring business model: BW will continue to focus on diversified, recurring revenue from stable markets with growth potential above gross domestic product (GDP).
- Builder and scaler of companies: As an investor and operator, BW applies a consistent business model to build platforms and strengthen leadership culture. This approach has delivered double-digit annual growth for more than 35 years.
- Pioneered expectations of leadership that center on fostering human vibrancy: BW’s Truly Human Leadership model shifts focus from “Management” to “Leadership”. The approach emphasizes developing leaders who deliver robust results while supporting for their teams.
- Externally validated approach to cultivating leaders: BW’s leadership approach has earned recognition from Simon Sinek and Bill Ury. It was featured in the Wall Street Journal bestseller ‘Everybody Matters’ and studied in a Harvard case. Company leaders have presented at the United Nations, the Aspen Ideas Festival, and the Vatican. The model is also being integrated into business school curricula.
“Ultimately, I want Barry-Wehmiller to be a source of inspiration – undeniable proof that businesses can achieve sustained, elite performance without sacrificing their humanity. That’s the true measure of success in business,” the new CEO explained.
Source: Barry-Wehmiller
About Barry-Wehmiller
Barry-Wehmiller is a leader in manufacturing, engineering, and automation solutions, serving industries such as packaging, paper converting, automation, and industrial equipment. Established in 1885, the company has been in business for over 135 years and has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Through its divisions, including BW Packaging, BW Converting Solutions, and BW Design Group, Barry-Wehmiller provides machinery and services for food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, tissue and hygiene, and industrial goods sectors. With an emphasis on people-centric leadership, the company employs over 12,000 team members worldwide. Barry-Wehmiller generates approximately $3.6 billion in annual revenue and has expanded its global presence through acquisitions and organic growth. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, the company continues to drive innovation while fostering a culture of leadership and sustainability in the industries it serves.