Plastics News – Rising Stars 2020: Mack Biggert

April 13, 2020 10:13 AM

JORDAN VITICK Plastics News Staff

Mack Biggert’s first job with plastics was a finance internship at Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Amcor Rigid Plastics, a manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging for markets such as food and beverage, personal care and health care. While he did not know much about plastics at the time, he came to “develop an appreciation for the vital role plastics play in a variety of other industries across the globe,” he said.

Biggert graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Before Amcor, he worked for Chicago-based global investment bank Lincoln International as an investment banking analyst in the mergers and acquisitions group.

He joined Revere Plastics Systems, an injection molder headquartered in Novi, Mich., as the senior manager of mergers and acquisitions in 2019. Biggert said his current challenge is finding and completing the company’s next acquisition.

“M&A is a major component of Revere’s growth plan, and we aim to complete 1-2 acquisitions every 12 months. However, we still have to be cautious about which companies we acquire,” he said. “Data shows that about half of acquisitions fail, so you have to put in a lot of effort before an acquisition to make sure it is a good fit for your company. This can be frustrating when you are eager to grow the business, but patience is ultimately better for the company’s long-term viability.”

Biggert is involved in the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors.

Plastics News: What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Biggert: You have to “do” before you can lead. This sounds obvious, but it is helpful to keep in mind that you are more effective and coworkers respect you more when you actually understand the work that everyone within your organization does. Empathy combined with credibility go a long way in business.

Q: What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the plastics industry? 

Biggert: I would say that the industry provides a lot of opportunity for people of many disciplines. Additionally, because plastics are used in so many applications, you have the opportunity to work with customers in a variety of end markets.

Q: What steps have you taken to advance in your career? 

Biggert: I make a concerted effort to keep learning on the job. I want to learn something new about my company, the industry, business in general every day. The more you know, the more effective you can be and the more doors open to you.

Q: If you were CEO of a company, what would you do first? 

Biggert: I believe in servant leadership. I would try to speak with as many of the ground-level employees as possible to see what their needs are and how I can serve and represent them.

Q: What job do you really want to have in the future? 

Biggert: I really like my current role because it allows me to think analytically and strategically. In the future, I’d like to continue to expand my strategic role within Revere and the plastics industry, in whatever form that takes.

https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/rising-stars-2020-mack-biggert