TORONTO, ON — September 19, 2026 — Combined Metal Industries (CMI) is proud to announce that Abbas Rizvi, currently Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of CMI.
Gary Kaplan, Founder and CEO, will remain Chief Executive Officer, continuing to lead CMI’s long-term vision, strategy, culture and growth across North America.
The appointment marks an important next step in the evolution of CMI’s leadership as the company celebrates its 30th year and looks ahead to its next chapter of growth.
“CMI started 30 years ago with a pickup truck, a big idea and a determination to build something special,” said Kaplan. “Today, we have an incredible business, but more importantly, we have an incredible group of people who have built it with us. As CMI continues to grow, our leadership must grow with it.”
“Abbas has earned this opportunity. Since joining CMI, he has taken on greater responsibility at every step, and every time we have asked more of him, he has stepped up. He knows our business, he understands our culture, and he cares deeply about our people and our success.”
Rizvi joined CMI in 2021 and has progressed through a series of increasingly senior roles across the organization. His experience has included technology, business operations, leadership of Industrial Services, commercial leadership and finance before being appointed Chief Operating Officer.
In his expanded role as President and COO, Rizvi will lead the day-to-day execution of CMI’s business and work closely with the company’s leadership team to drive performance, accountability and the continued development of CMI’s people and operations.
Kaplan will remain actively involved in the business as Founder and CEO, with an increased focus on CMI’s future — including strategy, growth opportunities, major investments, culture and the continued expansion of the company’s North American platform.
“For me, this is about building CMI for the next generation,” Kaplan said. “My job is to make sure we are not only thinking about where we are today, but where we want to be five, ten and twenty years from now. Abbas taking on the role of President and COO gives us stronger leadership for today, while allowing me to spend more of my time focused on what comes next.”
“I have tremendous confidence in Abbas, but this is bigger than one person or one title. It is about continuing to build a company where talented people can grow, take on bigger challenges and become the next generation of leaders at CMI.”
Rizvi said the appointment carries both an opportunity and a responsibility. “I’m incredibly grateful for the trust Gary and CMI has placed in me,” said Rizvi. “CMI is a special company because of its people, its entrepreneurial spirit and its willingness to continually challenge itself to get better. I’m proud of what we have accomplished and committed to building on that momentum together.
“My focus will be simple: support our people, strengthen our execution and make sure we continue to build CMI without losing the culture and values that made us successful in the first place.”
As CMI enters its fourth decade, the company continues to invest in its people, facilities, technology and capabilities while expanding its presence across Canada and the United States. “We have never been more excited about CMI’s future,” Kaplan said. “Thirty years ago, I could have never imagined everything this company would become. And I truly believe we are just getting started.”