Industrial, Manufacturing and Distribution Operating Experience. Specialist knowledge and not generalist advice is what distinguishes operator-led engagements from traditional consulting. Scott Foster's 25-year operating career has been concentrated in the industrials sector. He hasn't advised these industries from the outside — he's run businesses inside them.
Nine years at Dotmar EPL — ANZ's largest engineering plastics importer and distributor. Built the business from AUD 38M to AUD 93M across 14 branches, achieving 60% market share at exit.
Ten years as MD-APAC at Polyflor — a James Halstead PLC subsidiary. Grew Australian revenue from AUD 35M to AUD 50M, expanded EBITDA 300%, managed major national retail, wholesale and specification-led channel relationships.
EGM at Plascorp — mid-market manufacturer of PVC pipe, mine ventilation, industrial ducting, and steel reinforcement. Grew EBIT 85% in 18 months. managed major industrial, mining and infrastructure customer relationships.
Founded, built, and sold Surface Squared — a commercial laminates and timber import and distribution business. Grew revenue 47% (AUD 8M to AUD 12M), expanded EBITDA by 240%, improved inventory turns from 2.3x to 6.0x, and exited to private equity.
Business development at Würth Group — global leader in fastening and assembly materials distribution across automotive, construction, and industrial segments.
Complex, multi-site operating environments across ANZ and APAC — 14 branch locations, 4 operating subsidiaries, 170 staff, and supply chains spanning 12 countries.
Where this fits
Demand → Pricing → Cash → EBITDA → Network → Visibility → Value
“Every sector has its own rhythms — the margin structures, the customer dynamics, the working capital cycles. You only learn them by operating inside them.” Scott Foster — Founder, Shape Executive
Scott's operating career spans domestic and international markets — with deep knowledge of ANZ and proven experience across 12 APAC countries.
Scott’s APAC operating exposure extended across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Shanghai/China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan — combining office, subsidiary and in-market leadership exposure with direct work alongside local teams, distributors, customers, suppliers, warehousing partners and operating leaders.
Primary market across all roles. Deep relationships across industrial, retail, and commercial segments.
Grew NZ revenue from AUD 8M to AUD 20M through deliberate sector strategy. Local market expertise.
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan. Acquisition, organic growth, and channel management.
UAE, South Africa, South Asia. Supply chain management across Europe, UK, China, Germany, and the US.
Whether you're preparing for exit, seeking PE backing, or looking for an operating partner — let's talk.
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