2017 Editorial Advisory Board: Francine Petrucci

Francine Petrucci is president and co-owner of B A Die Mold Inc. in Aurora, Illinois. B A Die Mold is a full-service, Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier of small- to medium-sized, highly complex molds for customers in the medical device, water filtration, automotive and home appliance industries. The company specializes in the manufacturing of unscrewing molds for threaded parts. B A Die Mold possesses a patent for its Programmable Electric Rotating Core (PERC) System, which exemplifies the company’s expertise in this area. Francine is a second-generation leader of her company. Her dad, Alan Petrucci, is the company’s founder. She’ll tell you that from a very early age, she knew she loved this industry and would one day pursue a career in it.

After high school, Francine enrolled in the engineering program at Northern Illinois University. She graduated with honors as one of very few female engineers from the School of Engineering. She then joined the team at B A Die Mold, working in the shop’s CNC and quality assurance departments before moving on to administrative duties and office management. Today, as part owner and company president, Francine oversees general corporate management, building and equipment management/maintenance, corporate marketing and customer relations. 

Francine is as committed to the moldmaking industry as she is to B A Die Mold. She has volunteered in several capacities with the American Mold Builders Association’s Chicago Chapter, which included four years as president, a role from which she recently stepped down. During her tenure, she led the creation of the chapter’s Education Committee, which educates students, parents and teachers about viable careers in mold manufacturing. She continues to be very active with the Chicago AMBA and now sits on the advisory board for West Aurora High School’s new Advanced Manufacturing program.

Francine says she is proud to be an MMT EAB member. As a woman who owns a mold manufacturing company, she is happy to have a new avenue for promoting careers in moldmaking to other women who have that “maker mindset.” “I’m also excited by the opportunity to meet and share ideas about best practices/lean, workforce development and automation with my fellow mold manufacturing professionals (and enthusiasts) from around the United States and Canada,” she says. In her spare time, Francine enjoys reading, shooting, volunteering and spending time with Rufus, her German Shorthaired Pointer. Visit the “Women Impacting Moldmaking” page at MMT online to read more about Francine Petrucci and other women influencing positive change in the industry.