Faucet maker Delta changes presidents

Carmel-based Delta Faucet Co. has a new president after a pair of promotions by parent company Masco Corp., the companies announced.

Richard O’Reagan, president of Delta since 2011, has been promoted to group president of global plumbing for Taylor, Mich.-based Masco. He will be replaced by Jai Shah, Delta vice president and chief human resource officer.

O'Reagan started working for the Carmel plumbing-parts manufacturer in 2008 as vice president of sales after a stint as a senior marketing executive for Mansfield Plumbing Products.

“Richard has consistently demonstrated his ability to develop high-performing teams, drive focus on the customer and deliver outstanding results,” Masco CEO Keith Allman said in a prepared statement. “With his extensive experience in the plumbing industry and his proven leadership capabilities, I am confident that Richard will drive growth and continued innovation in this platform.”

Delta management will remain among O’Reagan’s responsibilities, but he will also oversee Masco subsidiaries Hansgrohe, BrassCraft, Masco Canada, Liberty Hardware, Mirolin and Brasstech.

Shah joined Delta in 2003 and has held roles in finance, corporate strategy and group operations.

“Over the years, Jai has contributed to the financial and strategic development of the company,” Allman said. “He is focused on the customer and, I believe, he will be instrumental in directing Delta into a new era of industry leadership.”

Plumbing products make up the largest of Masco’s five operating segments, with $800 million of revenue in the first quarter of 2013, the publicly traded company reported. It is also one of the fastest-growing as Masco has relied on Delta as a research-and-development machine to drive sales after the housing market crash in 2008 hurt overall business.

Delta has been operating in Indiana since 1959. More than 500 of its 1,700 employees work in the state, including at least 360 at its Carmel headquarters.