Robert Klimm

Current

President at Strategic Edge, LLC

Past

VP & GM Power & Reactive Gas Products at MKS Instruments
Vice President and General Manager at PRI Automation
General Manager, Implant Systems at Eaton Corporation

General Manager, Implant Systems at Axcelis Technologies
Vice President of Marketing at BTU International
Production Manager - Hybrid Manufacturing at Analog Devices
Captain at United States Air Force

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4 more...

Education

Northeastern University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School of Management
Lehigh University

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Recommended

1 person has recommended Robert

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Semiconductors

Robert Klimm’s Summary

Since graduating from the Sloan School at MIT, Robert Klimm has been a leader in high tech development and manufacturing. Prior to forming Strategic Edge, LLC, Mr. Klimm was Vice President and General Manager of Power and Reactive Gas Products within MKS Instruments. During his tenure he led the analysis of several acquisition candidates and successfully integrated the two largest MKS acquisitions. Through product innovation and market penetration he grew these business units from $120M to over $300M – establishing MKS as the world leader in remote plasma sources for the semiconductor industry.

Prior to MKS, Mr. Klimm served as Vice President and General Manager of PRI’s Factory Systems Division. Prior to PRI, Mr. Klimm served as General Manager of the Implant Systems Division of Eaton Corporation (now Axcelis Technologies). As a member of the board of directors for Sumitomo Eaton Nova (Joint Venture), he forged a strong international partnership leading to collaborative product definition / development and market leadership in the implant market. Over his seven years at Eaton, he was instrumental in developing the product marketing function, formalizing the product development process, implementing cellular manufacturing and growing the business to over $450M.

Prior to Eaton, Mr. Klimm held Marketing, Engineering and Operations leadership positions at BTU International, Analog Devices and in the US Air Force. His education includes a BSEE from Lehigh University, an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT and an MSEE from Northeastern University.

Robert Klimm’s Specialties:

Primary areas of expertise are (1) Strategy and Business Planning, (2) Partnerships and Acquisitions, (3) Product Differentiation, Positioning and Value Based Pricing.

Robert Klimm’s Experience

President

Strategic Edge, LLC

(Management Consulting industry)

May 2007 — Present (2 years 7 months)

Strategic Edge, LLC is dedicated to gaining competitive advantage and accelerated growth for technology based companies. Primary focus is on strategy, acquisitions and product differentiation.
VP & GM Power & Reactive Gas Products

MKS Instruments

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; MKSI; Semiconductors industry)

1999 — 2007 (8 years )

MKS manufactures subsystems for the semiconductor and thin film industries. Served as Vice President and General Manager for Power & Reactive Gas Products - a $300M combination of the two largest acquisitions - ASTeX and ENI.
Vice President and General Manager

PRI Automation

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; PRIA; Semiconductors industry)

1997 — 1999 (2 years )

PRI manufactured integrated logistics solutions for the semiconductor industry. Products included robotic storage systems, transport systems and control software. Served as Vice President and General Manager – Factory Systems Division.
General Manager, Implant Systems

Eaton Corporation

(Public Company; ETN; Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing industry)

1990 — 1997 (7 years )

Eaton Semiconductor Division (now Axcelis Technologies) manufactures Ion Implant equipment for the semiconductor industry. Initially Director of Marketing, Sales and Service - then General Manager of the Implant Systems Division. Responsible for $450M operation and member of the board of directors for Japanese joint venture (SEN).
General Manager, Implant Systems

Axcelis Technologies

(Public Company; ACLS; Semiconductors industry)

1990 — 1997 (7 years )

Axcelis Technologies was Eaton Semiconductor Division during this period. Worked as Director of Marketing, Sales and Service - then General Manager of the Implant Systems Division. Responsible for $450M operation and member of the board of directors for Japanese joint venture (SEN).
Vice President of Marketing

BTU International

(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; BTUI; Semiconductors industry)

1982 — 1990 (8 years )

BTU/Bruce manufactured thermal processing equipment. Held positions as Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Product Engineering Manager, Director of Systems Development and Vice President of Marketing.
Production Manager - Hybrid Manufacturing

Analog Devices

(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; ADI; Semiconductors industry)

1979 — 1982 (3 years )

Analog Devices manufactures data acquisition components and subsystems. Held positions as a Manufacturing Analyst, Production Control Manager (wafer fabrication) and Production Manager (hybrid manufacturing).
Captain

United States Air Force

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Military industry)

1975 — 1979 (4 years )

Captain in the Electronic Systems field.

Robert Klimm’s Education

Northeastern University

MSEE , Electrical Engineering , 1977 — 1981
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School of Management

MBA / SM , Management Science , 1973 — 1975
Lehigh University

BSEE , Electrical Engineering , 1969 — 1973

Activities and Societies:

Member Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa. Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Additional Information

Robert Klimm’s Groups:

New Hampshire High Technology Council, Merrimack Valley Venture Forum, Association for Corporate Growth, American Management Association, North Shore Technology Council