The Hillman Group Canada ULC is under new leadership after Scott Ride transitioned to the position of president following the announcement of Richard Paulin’s retirement.

Paulin, who will officially retire in July of this year, is credited with growing Hillman Canada’s sales from $15 million to $175 million during the past year.

“I am very proud of what this organization has achieved in my 40 years of service with the company,” Paulin said in a press release. “Our focus on putting the customer first, built long-lasting business relationships that have stood the test of time.”

Paulin, a native of Toronto, began his career as financial analyst in 1977 at H. Pauling & Co. Limited, which his grandfather founded in 1920. The company was then acquired by Hillman in 2013, and Paulin filled the role as Hillman Canada’s president.  

Ride has been serving as Hillman Canada’s chief operating officer for the past two years and took over as the company’s president on May 1.

“Scott has demonstrated over the last two years his excellent ability at implementing both a well-designed strategic plan and the infrastructure needed to support our next stage of growth,” Paulin said. “I believe that the company is in great hands and will continue to prosper for many decades to come.”