FST Corp. Announces Managerial Appointments

Rhea-AI Summary

FST Corp. (NASDAQ: KBSX), a leading golf shaft manufacturer, has announced several key managerial appointments effective April 29, 2025. Sebastian Tadla, former Accounting and Finance Director, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Marie Wen-Chi Chao, the previous CFO, moves to the newly created position of Executive VP of General Administration and Compliance. Warren Cheng-Teng Huang, former COO, becomes President and Head of Production and Supply Chains. Rob Cheng, previously General Manager of FST America, takes on the role of President and Head of FST Golf, overseeing global golf shaft sales and marketing.

The appointments reflect FST's strategic focus on growth and operational refinement, with CEO David Chuang expressing confidence in the new leadership team's ability to drive improvements in both top and bottom lines for 2025 and beyond.

Positive

• Strategic restructuring of management team with experienced internal promotions
• Creation of specialized executive positions focusing on key business areas
• All appointed executives have extensive industry experience and proven track records
• Management changes aimed at driving growth and operational improvements

Negative

• Significant simultaneous changes in multiple key positions could lead to temporary operational disruptions

BOULDER, CO, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FST Corp. (Nasdaq: KBSX), a leading manufacturer and marketer of steel and graphite golf shafts and a provider of other golf-related services, today announced that, on April 29, 2025, its board of directors made the following appointments to key managerial positions in the Company.

Sebastian Tadla, 38, who had been serving as FST’s Accounting and Finance Director since 2016, was appointed Chief Financial Officer, replacing Marie Wen-Chi Chao. As Accounting and Finance Director, Mr. Tadla oversaw financial reporting, budgeting, and strategic planning and played a key role in streamlining financial operations and ensuring regulatory compliance across the company’s U.S. operations. He joined the Company in 2010 as a Staff Accountant. Mr. Tadla holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Marie Wen-Chi Chao, who had been serving as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, was appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, General Administration and Compliance. In this role, she will be responsible for managing internal administration and regulatory compliance for all subsidiaries worldwide. Ms. Chao joined Femco Steel Technology Co., Ltd., FST’s manufacturing subsidiary in Taiwan, in 2009 as special assistant to the deputy general manager, became deputy manager of operations in 2013, and deputy manager of management in 2015. Later, as a senior manager, she led Femco’s public offering and listing on the Taipei Exchange. In 2021, Ms. Chao was promoted to Vice General Manager of Administration. She began her career in 2004 as Head of Manufacturing for Taiwan Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 2330). Ms. Chao holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from National Chengchi University, Taiwan.

Warren Cheng-Teng Huang, 55, who had been serving as Chief Operating Officer, was appointed to the newly created position of President and Head of Production and Supply Chains. Mr. Huang has more than 20 years of experience in the field of golf shaft manufacturing and sales. He joined Femco in 2002 as Operations Department Specialist, Section Chief and Deputy Manager, was promoted to Operations Department Manager and Senior Manager in 2013, and to General Manager in 2019. He has been a member of Femco’s Board of Directors since 2022. He began his career in 1995 with Cheng Jan Metal Industry Co., Ltd., a Taiwan manufacturer of steel pipes and steel pipe accessories, serving successively as General Affairs Department Specialist, Sales Department Specialist, and Sales Department Section Chief. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Public Administration of National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

Rob Cheng, 50, who had been serving as General Manager of FST America, Inc., a Femco subsidiary, was appointed to the newly created position of President and Head of FST Golf. In this role, he will be responsible for the global golf shaft sales, marketing, and customer relationships. Mr. Cheng has more than 20 years of experience in the field of golf shaft marketing and sales. He joined the company’s U.S.-based operation in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing sales, marketing, and overall business management. He was instrumental in launching the company’s KBS brand and leading key initiatives in tour operations and research and development. Under his leadership, the organization achieved significant growth by developing strategic sales channels and acquiring major OEM clients. Mr. Cheng holds a bachelor’s degree from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“We are excited to welcome Sebastian, Marie, Warren, and Rob to their new positions,” said FST chief executive David Chuang. “Each of these highly accomplished managers, we believe, will help FST to continue our program of growth and operation refinements, and accelerate our drive to produce further top and bottom-line improvements in 2025 and beyond.”

About FST Corp.

Founded in 1992, FST Corp. manufactures and sells golf club shafts, along with other golf-related items, to golf equipment brands, OEMs, distributors, and consumers via the company’s KBS Golf Experience retail outlets. FST’s equipment, marketed under the KBS brand, is utilized by golfers at all levels, including many professional players participating in the PGA and other major golf associations. The company’s product portfolio, retail presence, and golf-related services are part of a vertically integrated business model that has established the KBS brand on a global scale and created significant competitive advantages over peer brands. The company’s growth strategies currently position it for expansion into the PRC and other under-tapped golf shaft markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as statements that are not historical facts. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions based on the Company’s current expectations about events that may impact its financial condition, results, strategy, and needs. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely,” and similar expressions.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect new events or changes in expectations, except as required by law. While these statements reflect reasonable expectations, actual results may differ materially. Investors are encouraged to review the Company’s registration statement and SEC filings for additional information on factors that may impact future results.

Company Contact:
FST Corp.
1801 13th Street, Suite 306,
Boulder, CO 80302
Office: 303-444-2226
Email: investorrelations@fstshafts.com 

Investor Relations Inquiries:
Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
Scott Powell, President
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10036
Office: (646) 893-5835
Email: info@skylineccg.com 

FAQ

Who is the new CFO of FST Corp (KBSX)?

Sebastian Tadla, who previously served as FST's Accounting and Finance Director since 2016, has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of FST Corp.

What happened to FST Corp's (KBSX) previous CFO Marie Wen-Chi Chao?

Marie Wen-Chi Chao has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, General Administration and Compliance, where she will manage internal administration and regulatory compliance for all subsidiaries worldwide.

Who is the new President and Head of FST Golf at KBSX?

Rob Cheng, former General Manager of FST America, Inc., has been appointed as President and Head of FST Golf, responsible for global golf shaft sales, marketing, and customer relationships.

What management changes did FST Corp (KBSX) announce on May 6, 2025?

FST Corp announced four key appointments: Sebastian Tadla as CFO, Marie Wen-Chi Chao as EVP of General Administration and Compliance, Warren Cheng-Teng Huang as President and Head of Production and Supply Chains, and Rob Cheng as President and Head of FST Golf.