Emilia Giannakopoulos, American Tool and Mold Inc

May 18, 2023

American Tool and Mold Inc. was founded in 1978 by Demetre Loulourgas, a Greek immigrant. More than four decades later, the Clearwater, Fla.-based mold maker and molder is now led by CEO Emilia Giannakopoulos, Loulourgas' daughter.

A University of South Florida graduate with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Giannakopoulos grew up in a manufacturing environment. She started working at ATM when she was 15 years old and developed a passion for the industry, finding it rewarding to be part of the development and technology required to make products.

As CEO of the woman-owned and -operated business, Giannakopoulos' responsibilities include working with the controller to monitor the company's financial health, supporting talent management, developing culture and values, establishing vision and strategies, and growing business development and partnership opportunities. ATM added that Giannakopoulos plays a critical role in forging alliances with other companies.

Under Giannakopoulos' leadership, ATM has acquired several certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ITAR. It is currently working toward AS 9100 certification.

Giannakopoulos is involved with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, Bay Area Manufacturers Association and American Mold Builders Association.

The coronavirus pandemic showcased the resilience and adaptability of the employees and the community at large, according to ATM, a Tier 1 supplier for Purell hand sanitizer dispensers. A major challenge was implementing safety strategies to support and maintain the team's well-being and mental health. Giannakopoulos navigated the uncertainty with agile decision-making skills, strategic pivoting and constant reassessment of business strategies.

"Thanks to our talented and hard-working team and the support of our customers throughout the COVID pandemic, ATM has continued to grow," Giannakopoulos said in a news release.

Looking ahead, ATM seeks to expand through investments and acquisitions. ATM, which specializes in caps and closures as well as high-tech, high-cavitation applications for medical clients, has invested more than $4 million to acquire technology and hire new employees to execute those technologies. It has also launched ATM-X, its in-house prototyping division.

"At ATM," Giannakopoulos added, "exceeding our customers' expectations with superior quality and on-time delivery is our No. 1 priority."

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