This month, we are highlighting team member Evan Poulakidas. Evan is the founder of the North American branch of CCTY and has watched CCTY grow over the last 25 years.
What do you think makes CCTY stand out as a partner in the motion control space?
Quality and engineering. Our constant investment in R&D helps us stay ahead of the competition by developing new materials that help customers reach demanding application requirements.
The industry is rapidly evolving, with ever-increasing demands for higher specifications and improved functionality. Having a dedicated team of engineers and specialists in friction, materials and design on our team is a great advantage.
Can you share an example of how collaboration between global offices has strengthened a North American project?
Having global customers means that the entire company works together as a team. For example, when our European team provides engineering support to an OEM for a suspension component redesign, it creates an opportunity for our North American office to expand support for the same customer locally.
By sharing best practices and technical specifications across time zones, we were able to speed up development cycles and provide a consistent experience globally.
What do you enjoy most about leading CCTY’s North American operations?
The people who work here, without question, are what I enjoy most.
It’s immensely rewarding to lead a team that not only takes full ownership of their responsibilities but also consistently looks for ways to exceed customer expectations. On more than one occasion, a team member voluntarily drove to UPS to make sure that a customer received a rush order in time. That level of commitment speaks volumes.
When I founded the North American branch, one of my core goals was to create a culture where people could succeed professionally while enjoying their work environment. We’ve nurtured a place where collaboration and respect are part of the daily routine.
What trends or challenges are you hearing most from customers right now and how is CCTY addressing them?
Tariffs continue to be a significant challenge for both our customers and us. First, for our customers, it is about helping them understand how tariffs are calculated.
While we work with customers to maintain delivery schedules, we must manage the tariff aspect as well, which adds another layer to the customer service process. This entails advancing tariff payments when shipments land and then coordinating reimbursement from customers. CCTY is 100% transparent about the process, we do not add administrative fees or inflate the cost.
Name a project or milestone you’re especially proud of during your time at CCTY.
One of our first wins was an axle manufacturer who started us with a small bushing order, but it gave us credibility with other OEMs. That customer is still with us today – 25 years and many other projects later. It is a testament to the trust that we have built over the partnership. We are incredibly grateful for all our customers, especially the ones who were with us from the beginning.
Any advice for someone starting out in the motion control industry?
Be ready for change. Motion control is advancing at an incredible pace; new technologies are constantly reshaping the industry. You can’t rely on historical approaches to solve today’s challenges.
I’d advise anyone entering this space to stay curious and proactive. Learn the “why” behind the components, understand customer applications, and get comfortable with cross-functional collaboration. The ability to adapt and innovate will set you apart—and this is an exciting time to build a career that blends engineering, strategy, and global impact.
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