H&E opens new branch in Port Allen LA
Effective June 30, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Port Allen branch, its eighth rental location in the state of Louisiana. The branch is also the sixth new location H&E has opened across the country in the second quarter of 2023. The facility is located at 4247 I-10 Frontage Road, Port Allen, LA 70767-4149, phone 225 487-3200. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and carries a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “We placed our new branch just off I-10 in West Baton Rouge to specifically reach our customers west of the Mississippi River, both north and south of the interstate. With road construction just over the bridge in nearby Baton Rouge, having a fleet positioned west of the city allows us to avoid traffic delays in getting our equipment on the jobsite. Our service area is wide and stretches along the river, up to the Mississippi state line, and down almost to Morgan City along the Atchafalaya River,” says Branch Manager Roland Falcon. “H&E has South Louisiana fully covered. With our Port Allen branch within 50 miles of our existing facility in Lafayette and just over 15 miles from our Baton Rouge location, we are close enough to source nearby fleet when needed to make sure our customers have what they need.” The Port Allen branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Nissan, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Patti Engineering team excels in Siemens SINAMICS S120 Motion Control
Committed to excellence in the delivery of Siemens system integration services, Patti Engineering celebrates the success of four team members earning certification in Siemens SINAMICS S120 Motion Control, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading Siemens Solution Partner Patti Engineering, Inc., a control system integration company with offices in Michigan, Texas, and Indiana, has announced that four engineers have achieved Siemens SINAMICS S120 Motion Control Partner Academy Certification. Patti Engineering’s Director of Michigan Operations, Terrance Brinkley, Director of Indiana Operations John Shipley, P.E., CAP, Sr. Electrical Engineer, John Jowski and Senior Controls Engineer, Dan Ragozzino, have completed training and testing required for the Siemens certification. “At Siemens, we take great pride in establishing a robust standard for our partners to certify to. This is crucial because our Siemens Solution Partners serve as an extension of Siemens’ technical and commercial support for our valued customers. When our customers engage with a Siemens certified partner, such as Patti Engineering, they can have complete confidence in working with professionals who possess the same skillset, knowledge, and experience as our own esteemed Siemens technical resources,” said Andrew Miller, Partner Manager for Drives & Motion, at Siemens. “Patti Engineering is an excellent partner for Siemens and a proven leader in digital transformation. The recent certifications achieved by Patti Engineering are a testament to their deep partnership with Siemens. By investing in certifying not just one or two individuals, but an impressive count of four experts in the drives and motion module, Patti Engineering has showcased the remarkable depth of their commitment to staying at the forefront of the latest automation and drive technologies, development tools, and digitalization practices. Such dedication provides our customers with extensive coverage and unwavering support as they embark on their digital enterprise journey and strive to achieve a successful digital transformation.” Through their successful completion of the Siemens SINAMICS S120 Motion Control class, these Patti Engineering team members have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and nuances of Siemens’ advanced motion control systems. Their expertise empowers them to tackle complex challenges and implement innovative solutions with unparalleled efficiency and precision. “We commend our engineers who have achieved these certifications,” commented Patti Engineering CEO Sam Hoff. “Their commitment to training and best practices is the reason Patti Engineering is a leader in Siemens technology at the forefront of improving OEE across manufacturing.” As a Certified Siemens Solution Partner, Patti Engineering has demonstrated an expertise in Siemens system integration and digitalization projects for a wide variety of industries. In addition to the four team members holding Siemens SINAMICS S120 Motion Control Partner Academy Certifications, an additional four engineers hold certifications in Siemens CPIID Industrial Identification RFID-UHF Technology and Practice, and Siemens Partner TIA Technical Certification.
Platinum Tooling names new Regional Sales Manager
Platinum Tooling, the exclusive importer of Heimatec live tools and angle heads plus other global brands of precision machine tool accessories, has announced the appointment of Frank Twomey as the company’s Regional Sales Manager. In his new role, he will oversee all activities in eighteen states located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regions of the United States. Company President, Preben Hansen, made the announcement at the company’s headquarters in Prospect Heights, Illinois. Twomey graduated from Piedmont Technical Institute in 1991. His first job was as a machinist at Ross Industries. He then took on the role of Applications/Service/Quality Engineer at Walter Grinders and SCM Group as an Applications and Service Engineer. Between working as an Applications and Service Engineer, he became the CNC Manager of Euro-Composites Corporation and later Plant Manager at MTEQ. In 2015, Twomey took on the role of District Sales Manager for OSG USA. Frank brings a vast amount of experience in aerospace, medical, machine tool, cutting tool, metal and composite industries. His technical expertise includes programming CNC machines using Mastercam and Alphacam CAD/CAM software and is well versed in PLC programming. During his career, Frank studied and trained in lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, ISO processes/audits, OSHA compliance, cost reduction, facility/line set-up and operator training. Continuing his education in 2020, Twomey obtained his CPSP (Certified Professional Salesperson) certification and in 2021 obtained his CPSL (Certified Professional Sales Leader) certification through NASP (National Association of Sales Professionals). Commenting on this new hire Hansen said, “It is great to have Frank on the team as his expertise will benefit clients across industries. I am excited to see all that he will achieve.”
Orbis earns recognition as a John Deere ‘Partner-Level supplier’
Recognition honors leading suppliers in service, quality and continuous improvement ORBIS® Corporation, an international provider in reusable packaging, has earned recognition as a partner-level supplier for 2022 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. The partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. The Oconomowoc-based company was selected for the honor in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Company employees accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held in April 2023. ORBIS supports John Deere’s network of reusable containers to deliver parts to their facilities. “ORBIS remains steadfast in its mission to provide sustainable, efficient and reliable packaging solutions that help move the supply chain forward,” said Don Schneider, national account manager at ORBIS Corporation. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team and reaffirms our pledge to continuously improve and provide top-quality products and services to John Deere. We are proud to be part of John Deere’s supply chain and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to drive mutual success.” Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, delivery, process alignment, value creation and relationship. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.
Generix Group named in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) for the fifth consecutive year
Generix Group, a global provider of collaborative SaaS Software solutions for the Supply Chain, industrial, and retail ecosystems, has been named for the 5th consecutive year in the 2023 Gartner® Magic QuadrantTM for its Warehouse Management Systems. The hyper-flexibility of the SOLOCHAIN solution and the functional wealth of Generix WMS meet the needs of a wide range of industries worldwide. In a market where forecasting is no longer enough and immediacy is the new norm, Generix Group is stepping up investment in its solutions to maintain its leadership in the supply chain and serve its 400 or so WMS customers worldwide. Every day, some 2,000 warehouses operate with a Generix Group WMS. The company’s investment in innovation is one of the cornerstones of its strategic transformation, and has recently resulted in the launch of RMS, Resource Management System, for the planning and optimization of warehouse resources. This latest solution addresses two key issues for warehouses: optimizing resource planning while preserving human resources and meeting the customer promise at all times thanks to analytical and predictive work processed with AI. This solution helps to attract and retain talent in a profession where resources are under pressure. Generix Group is a specialist in flow management, and its solutions are deployed in 60 countries, for players in omnichannel retail, FMCG, manufacturing, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and 3PLs. Generix WMS and SOLOCHAIN are highly complementary solutions. Thanks to its exceptional functional scope and standard processes, Generix WMS covers the needs of customers in a large number of industries, often with complex challenges: stored, cross-dock, e-commerce, mix-flows, multi-trade and multi-customer flows on the same site, whatever the constraints linked to the products (ambient, fresh and frozen, etc.). This solution has also been enriched by recent requirements, such as customization of orders, value-added operations and large volume variations, while complying with all regulatory constraints, both in France and internationally. SOLOCHAIN is totally flexible and integrates a Manufacturing Execution system (MES) to supply manufacturers’ production lines. It also offers an integrated project management and documentation tool. In addition, Generix Group offers solutions such as TMS, OMS, YMS and now RMS and a scalable API catalog. “We believe, being named in the Magic Quadrant™ again this year, is a recognition of our R&D efforts to support our customers in their warehouse performance issues, whether they have one or dozens of sites, and whatever their industry. As part of the deployment of our Boost Together strategic transformation plan, this investment dynamic reached another major achievement this year with the announcement of Resource Management System (RMS). For the first time on the market, a solution combines performance analysis and planning services for combined resources (human & machine), for the benefit of day-to-day efficiency in the warehouse. We are continuing, and even stepping up, our investments so as to be more than ever the partner of choice for Supply Chain Leaders, through a “business” approach and by taking into account our customers’ future challenges. This is why we believe; we have been recognized by a reference organization”, comments Nicolas Picquerey, Chief Solutions & Services Officer, Generix Group. To access the full Gartner report, click here.
Plus One Robotics adds new Sales Directors
Plus One Robotics, a provider of AI vision perception software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, has expanded its sales team with two new sales directors, Ashley Iacozili and Scott Wagner, hired to strengthen the company’s sales leadership within the apparel, home goods, general merchandise, and third-party logistics markets. “Both Ashley and Scott have excellent sales records in managing and growing multi-million enterprise level accounts across material handling automation sectors,” said Robert Nilsson, chief revenue officer at Plus One. “Their professionalism and recognized expertise will help us quickly connect with new opportunities for both our parcel induction and depalletization solutions, inclusive of our unique human-in-the-loop capability enabling 24/7 fulfillment.” Iacozili has extensive sales experience, as an enterprise account manager at Covariant and Packsize International. There she built an impressive sales portfolio, inclusive of new customers, while collaboratively working with both internal and external cross-functional teams to develop and deliver robotic and packaging automation solutions. In addition to her education at the University of Akron, she also has several high level and strategic training certifications. Before joining Plus One, Wagner spent many years as a sales manager, most recently for Vecna Robotics, where he was responsible for enterprise account acquisition for Fortune 1000 companies within the CPG, Ecommerce, food and beverage, grocery, retail, and pharmaceutical markets. In addition to successfully bringing on new clients, Wagner oversaw the company’s first deployment in Mexico. Plus One has experienced nearly three-times year-over-year growth since the release of its PickOne solution in 2018, working with parcel post, general merchandise, and 3PL companies such as FedEx, Pitney Bowes, MSC Industrial, and more. Plus One deployments perform over one million parcel picks each day in production and currently hold an industry-leading metric of nearly one billion total picks.
Bobcat supporting local communities through Park and Recreation Month sponsorship
Sponsorship celebrates the importance of local park and recreation spaces and the professionals who support these spaces across the nation Bobcat Company, a global compact equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, is a longtime supporter and advocate for making a difference for people, supporting communities and bringing positive change to the world. To further this commitment, Bobcat has announced its sponsorship of Park and Recreation Month. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) celebrates Park and Recreation Month every July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation areas and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — that maintain our country’s local, state and community parks. This year’s Park and Recreation Month theme is “Where Community Grows,” and Bobcat is proud of its long history of community involvement aimed at providing time, resources and charitable contributions to help improve the lives of people across the globe. “This year we are celebrating 65 years, and as we reflect on our rich history, we are also envisioning how we can build a better, more sustainable future,” said Mike Ballweber, Doosan Bobcat North America president. “Through our partnership with NRPA and our sponsorship of Park and Recreation Month, we aim to build stronger communities for a better tomorrow.” Bobcat has also partnered with NRPA to extend five grants, each worth $50,000, to support five park improvement projects in designated communities throughout the U.S. The grant recipients will be announced later in July. “Park and Recreation Month is a celebration held each July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation,” said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. “We are honored to partner with Bobcat on this very special month to lift up the 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals serving our communities.” In addition to its support of Park and Recreation Month, Bobcat recently completed its Doosan Days of Community Service events where hundreds of its employees across the nation dedicated their time and talents volunteering in their communities to positively benefit the locations they live and work.
AIT Worldwide Logistics’ Vaughn Moore named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Midwest
Regional award places Moore in national competition, celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building bolder futures During a celebration ceremony in Chicago last night, Ernst & Young LLP (EY) announced AIT’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Vaughn Moore, as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Midwest Award winner. Now in its 37th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all. “I’m honored to receive this award from EY,” Moore said. “It’s an achievement I’ll treasure and share with all AIT teammates. Whether AIT is growing our business around the world, giving back to the communities where we live and work, or leading the way on sustainability in logistics, teamwork is what drives our success.” In 2012, Moore became an owner of AIT after leading his team of Executive Vice Presidents in a successful leveraged buyout of the company. Since that time, Moore initiated an incredible growth ride highlighted by expansion across Asia, Europe and North America. Under his leadership and successful strategic growth plans, AIT’s annual revenue is more than $2.5 billion today—an increase of 800%. Moore has also led the way on AIT’s values-based approach to both service and corporate sustainability, with an aim to create better living and working conditions through initiatives addressing environmental, social and governance disciplines. For example, as a signatory of The Climate Pledge, AIT launched an ambitious initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. An independent panel of judges first selected Moore as one of 35 finalists, then as a Midwest region winner. Judges evaluate entrepreneurs based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other contributions and attributes. Moore and his fellow regional winners will next be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at EY’s annual Strategic Growth Forum®. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2024. Since its inception in 1986, EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 entrepreneurs in more than 60 countries. Learn more at ey.com/en_us/entrepreneur-of-the-year-us.
PTDA welcomes six new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes two new distributors, three manufacturers and one associate to its membership. Distributors Exim Engineering provides power transmission products, conveyor components, gear box units, speed reducers and safety products. For over 25 years, Exim’s talented staff has been providing customers with the necessary information and support to meet their needs perfectly. Learn more. Full Circle Industrial, Inc. is a creative service company specializing in rebuilding speed reducers, gearboxes and pumps from all manufacturers. The company also distributes an ever-growing line of equipment, maintenance parts and industrial products and services. Full Circle technicians boast over 75 years of combined experience. The company’s mission is to help the community, environment, employees and customers become more sustainable while being devoted to leading the field in customer satisfaction. Learn more. Manufacturers Encoder Products Company (EPC) is a leading designer and world-wide manufacturer of motion sensing devices. EPC began operations in 1969, producing a line of custom encoders (the original Cube series) from a small, home-based shop. Today, EPC is one of the largest privately held encoder manufacturers in North America, producing the most complete line of incremental and absolute rotary encoders in the industry. Learn more. Oil States Industries, a subsidiary of Oil States International (NYSE: OIS), is a major global provider of integrated energy systems and solutions. For 75 years, the company has provided cost-effective solutions to meet drilling & workover, production, lifting and mooring challenges. The company also serves customers in the onshore, marine and industrial markets. Learn more. SITI Power Transmission USA Inc., founded by Filippo Guerra in 1967, specializes in the manufacturing of gearboxes and electric motors. The company, currently accomplishing 70% of their turnover in the foreign markets, is developing new product lines and is focused on entering the field of the heaviest applications used in industrial sections of high expansion, including renewable energies and waste recycling. Learn more. Enlighten.Net, Inc. is a leading provider of document management software and has been a trusted partner to distributors throughout North America for 20 years. The company offers robust solutions to help organizations of any size save time by providing simple yet powerful tools that are embraced by employees at all levels. With capabilities including full text search, quick retrieval and secure access from anywhere, ENet Docs improves companies’ operational efficiency. Enlighten.Net’s AP Automation, Sales Order Automation and AR Automation reduce the errors, time and expense associated with manually processed orders and invoices. Learn more. The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is a global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $19 billion in sales and span more than 2,500 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS USA expands operations with new Texas production facility
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is a global gearmotor and control products manufacturer that has seen exponential growth over the last several years as more companies incorporate automation into their workflow. In 2022, they had a record-breaking year and achieved over $1 Billion in sales for the first time in company history. The U.S. subsidiary of this family-owned German company currently operates out of three separate facilities – Corona, CA, Charlotte, NC, and Waunakee, WI, which also serves as their U.S. corporate headquarters. To meet the increased product demands while maintaining a high level of customer service, NORD is expanding their American operations into the southern state of Texas. The new facility is located just outside of Dallas in the northeast suburb of McKinney, Texas. It will include both assembly and office space totaling over 85,000 sq. ft. and feature a full staff of production, warehouse, quality, service, customer experience, and administrative personnel. NORD expects to begin assembling unpainted gear units in this location by the end of June 2023 and painted units by the end of Q1 2024 upon completion of paint booth construction. When fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce 200 units per shift. “We’re very excited about this new beginning and being able to further service our customers”, says Torsten Schultz, President of NORD USA. “The new plant will allow us to increase gear unit production as well as cut down on delivery times to end users in the southern region.”
Kivnon partners with TAP for AGV/AMR Distribution
Kivnon, a global producer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), has announced that TAP, an industrial solutions provider, will be distributing Kivnon automated guided vehicles (AGVs and AMRs.) Kivnon designs, manufactures, and implements automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) for a wide range of markets, including automotive, food, aerospace, and retail applications. Its products include small AGVs for use in labs; mouse AGV platforms that slide under and lift pallets; tractor AGVs that pull carts; and self-driving forklifts. Kivnon has partnered with TAP to leverage heightened AGV/AMR interest resulting from Industry 4.0 driven digital transformation. “This partnership marks a significant milestone for both of our companies. Thanks to TAP’s reach and automation expertise, we can supply autonomous vehicles to a larger audience with full confidence that TAP will implement them to take full advantage of their automation potential,” said Kivnon’s France Country Manager, Jose Pantaleao. TAP Group teams with companies across a broad spectrum of industrial segments with unique equipment solutions. Their Storagis brand is dedicated to storage projects, solutions, and equipment for automotive and logistic applications. Damien Marie, Sales Director of TAP Group, said, “TAP is proud to deal with KIVNON, one of the leaders of innovative and technological systems. Many of our clients’ projects involve advanced automation of material handling and warehousing operations, which involves deploying one or more AGVs or AMRs to reduce cost and increase productivity and safety. This is a real opportunity to optimize our clients’ supply chain.”
Orbis hosts third Annual Golf Outing to benefit Children’s Wisconsin
Event raised $330,000 to support practitioners and patients in the Pediatric Simulation and Resuscitation Program ORBIS® Corporation has hosted its third annual ORBIS Good Days for Kids golf outing that raised over $330,000 for the Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Simulation and Resuscitation Program, the region’s only independent health care system dedicated to the health and well-being of children. The event was held at the Grand Geneva golf course in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. “For over a century, Children’s Wisconsin has been at the forefront of delivering essential services for the well-being of children in our community,” said Norm Kukuk, president at ORBIS Corporation. “At ORBIS, we are extremely proud to support this vital mission. The impact Children’s Wisconsin has on families is profound, and we are grateful to be part of their journey. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated suppliers for joining forces with us to raise these crucial funds.” Since its inception, this event has raised a staggering $750,000 for the Pediatric Simulation and Resuscitation Program, which provides highly realistic simulation-based education to support the training of medical professionals from across the nation. Since 1985, this program has helped to train over 100 pediatric intensive care doctors who are now serving in hospitals across 25 states. “We are immensely grateful to ORBIS for their support of Children’s Wisconsin,” said Dr. Tara Petersen, Medical Director of the Children’s Wisconsin Simulation Center and Vice Chair of Education at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin. “Their generosity allows us to provide cutting-edge training and technology to our dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals. The support of ORBIS, and everyone participating in the Good Days for Kids golf outing, provides life-saving care and fuels our work to build a brighter future for kids and families.” The next ORBIS Good Days for Kids Golf Outing is scheduled for June 11, 2024.
OPTIMA strengthens the Consumer business unit in North America
Brandon Hall has been the new Director Consumer at Optima subsidiary Optima Machinery Corporation in Green Bay, WI since mid-June. Optima is thus strengthening its sales of filling and packaging equipment for the consumer goods market in North America and taking account of the positive growth in the Consumer business unit. “I’m thrilled to have Brandon join our team,” says Ulrich Unterriker, Managing Director of Optima Machinery Corporation. “His diverse background uniquely positions him to lead our Consumer Business Unit as it continues to grow. His knowledge and expertise will be tremendous assets to our team and customers as we continue to provide innovative packaging and filling solutions.” Optima Consumer produces high-precision dosing, filling and packaging systems for consumer goods of almost any consistency. This includes cosmetics, food, portion packs, chemicals and filtration solutions. Hall brings more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, product design, and business development to Optima. Before joining Optima, Hall was the Strategic Business Unit Manager for one of the world’s largest systems and components suppliers to the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. He holds multiple degrees in business administration and mechanical engineering. “I look forward to joining Optima Machinery Corporation and the opportunity to help grow and expand the Consumer business unit,” says Hall.
MassRobotics announces winner of Inaugural Robotics Medal recognizing accomplishments of Women in Robotics
MassRobotics, a robotics innovation organization, announced its inaugural Robotics Medal and Rising Star recipients at the IEEE ICRA conference in London on June 1, 2023. The Robotics Medal is the world’s first major prize to recognize the wide-ranging impact of female researchers focusing on the development of robotics around the globe. The Robotics Medal is awarded to a woman-identifying student/faculty nominated professor in robotics to recognize their impactful contributions to the field and includes a $50K prize awarded to the individual. The Rising Star Award recognizes up and coming woman-identifying persons making strides and advancing the field of robotics and includes a $5K award given to the individual. This inaugural MassRobotics Robotics Medal award, sponsored by Amazon Robotics, was presented to Nancy Amato at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her significant contributions to the field of robotics, notably for her research on the algorithmic foundations of motion planning, computational biology, computational geometry, and parallel computing. Alyssa Nicole Pierson, at Boston University, was awarded the MassRobotics Rising Star in Robotics Medal for her key contributions to the cooperative, distributed control of multi-agent teams. To encourage diversity in the field of robotics, Amazon established an endowment with MassRobotics in 2022 to support these two annual awards. The purpose of The Robotics Medal is not only to celebrate individual achievements, but also to inspire and encourage women and other underrepresented groups to participate in shaping the future of the world through robotics. “By endowing the Robotics Medal, we aspire to showcase and celebrate women robotics professors worldwide who have made a significant impact to the advancement of the field of robotics,” said Tye Brady, chief technologist at Amazon Robotics. “It is an honor to be the founding sponsor of the Robotics Medal and we are thankful for the significant contributions and teachings made by our rising stars and legendary pioneers in that field.” A call for nominations began at last year’s ICRA conference, with nominations coming from all around the United States including Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as around the globe from countries including Canada, Japan, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, and India. Submissions spanned a wide range of robotic technology fields and areas of research, from new materials for gripping, exoskeletons and assistive technologies, human robot interaction and motion planning. Since 2017, MassRobotics has grown from a Massachusetts-based incubator to a global robotics hub, helping support the adoption of robotics worldwide and providing startups with the resources needed to grow and scale. Of the current 80 startups that MassRobotics houses at its facility in Boston, more than 50% are from out of state and 25% are from outside the U.S. MassRobotics hosts STEM and robotics related initiatives specifically targeted for high school women and continues to promote women in robotics through events and networking to ensure women are recognized and heard. “We were thrilled by the overwhelming number of qualified nominations we received and impressed with the diversity of robotic fields and research happening across the globe,” said Joyce Sidopoulos, cofounder at MassRobotics. “It reflects the powerful contributions women have made and will continue to make to this important, vibrant and growing field supporting nearly all industries.” The Robotics Medal and Rising Star recipients were selected by a committee of robotics experts, led by MassRobotics, which convened several times and methodically evaluated the significance, depth and originality of technical contributions each nominee has made in the overall field of robotics. “The field of robotics requires the unique insights, inventiveness, and leadership of more female professionals to propel the science, engineering, and applications of this crucial discipline forward, and to inspire the ensuing wave of innovators,” says Daniela Rus, Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) at MIT and member of the MassRobotics board. “The Robotics Medal signifies far more than its substantial monetary award. It symbolizes an acknowledgement and celebration of the remarkable achievements of women who not only pioneer in the field, but also inspire as role models, sparking the curiosity and ambition of the forthcoming generation of roboticists.” A formal Gala awarding the medals and celebrating the winners will be held in Boston at the Museum of Science on October 21st. The Museum of Science will highlight the medal winners in their ongoing Women in Technology initiative. Tickets and reserved tables for the event will be available shortly. MassRobotics has created an endowment and welcomes contributions to support future cash prizes for The Robotics Medal. Contact award@massrobotics.org to learn about becoming a founding underwriter of The Robotics Medal. Nominations for the 2024 Robotics Medal and Rising Star are now open. More information can be found here.
KPI Solutions announces Kyle Smith joins as Vice President Product Management
KPI Solutions (KPI), a supply chain consulting, software, systems integration, and automation supplier has announced that Kyle Smith has joined the company as Vice President Product Management. In this role, Kyle will set the strategy and direction for software product delivery with a focus on enhancing clients’ investment in automation technologies. By leveraging the power of the Opto modular, intelligent software platform, clients can orchestrate labor, orders, and equipment to maximize operational efficiency and enable dynamic decision-making. “I’m excited to join KPI Solutions as we continue the expansion of software capabilities that enable today’s leading automation technologies to increase throughput capacity and improve operational flow across our clients’ facilities,” said Smith. “Automation has switched up the game for software. Our proprietary Opto suite will quickly integrate with any existing client material handling equipment and software, balance workflows across assets, and ultimately improve warehouse performance.” “We are happy to welcome Kyle to the KPI Solutions team and leverage his expertise to guide and direct further development of the Opto software suite,” said Mike Conrath, Chief Product and Technology Officer at KPI. “Opto combines advanced functionality with flexibility to create a stable, reliable, and secure operations platform that delivers increased order fulfillment speed from optimized equipment and labor for our clients.” Kyle joins KPI Solutions after 10+ years in roles of increasing responsibility at leading WMS provider Blue Yonder/JDA Software/Red Prairie. He most recently served as Vice President, Warehouse Management Solutions where he focused on understanding evolving client software requirements and integration to advanced automation technologies, delivering excellent customer service, and developing product roadmaps. Prior to working in the software industry, he worked directly in warehouse operations and management at Burt’s Bees and Office Depot.
Plus One Robotics appoints Martin Aalund as VP of Product Engineering
Plus One Robotics, a provider of AI vision perception software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, has announced the appointment of Martin Aalund as VP of product engineering. Aalund will be responsible for leading the company’s team of hardware and software engineers and developers, as well as managing the engineering budget. He will focus on refining existing products and developing new products and services to meet emerging customer requirements. This includes ensuring that designs are well documented, on schedule and meet quality, safety and reliability standards. “Martin is an incredible match for Plus One”, said Shaun Edwards, chief technical officer. “We feel confident that his management skills and intense knowledge across optics, software, mechanical and electrical domains will enhance our engineering team and the value of our solutions for our customers.” Aalund comes to Plus One with over 30 years’ robotic experience, including employment at Amazon where he was a senior engineering manager and part of the team that deployed the first industrial robots at the company. He was also a founding member, then president/CTO of Arm Automation, which develops custom-engineered equipment and automation solutions to a variety of industries. His experience has included the development of robots, robotic cells, subsea ROVs, factory automation, metrology, mechatronics, and consumer products for multi-processor computers. Aalund has a bachelor’s, master’s and a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He has also been an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University where he taught courses in robotics and automation for both graduate and undergraduate classes.
AutoScheduler wins Top Food Chain Technology Award for 2nd consecutive year
AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Management System (WMS) accelerator, has been named a 2023 Top Food Chain Technology company by Food Chain Digest, the official magazine of the Food Shippers of America (FSA). This recognition program highlights technology platforms, applications, and innovators that help food shippers solve problems in their supply chains. AutoScheduler helps global food shippers smooth operations in their warehouse/distribution center, improving on-time fulfillment that keeps shelves stocked and customers happy. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to optimizing the warehouses and distribution centers of food shippers, helping these global businesses to streamline operations, improve efficiencies, and ensure the timely delivery of food products to consumers,” says Keith Moore, CEO, AutoScheduler.AI. “Addressing the recent challenges of the food shipping industry requires technology-driven, innovative solutions like AutoScheduler’s intelligent warehouse orchestration and optimization platform that drive value through mitigating risk in distribution and warehousing operations.” “Technology has become the backbone of the food supply chain,” says Brian Everett, group publisher and editorial director of Food Chain Digest. “Technology platforms, applications, and innovators have emerged in the food and beverage market to help bring more efficiency, productivity, and transparency to the food chain. This recognition program highlights leaders like AutoScheduler that are readily available to food shippers in helping them to accomplish their business goals.” The 2023 Top Food Chain Technology Award follows a stringent process involving meeting the annual global sales threshold, editorial evaluation from Food Chain Digest staff, and validation by an industry-wide vote involving more than 1500 professionals in the food supply chain, transportation, warehousing, and distribution. AutoScheduler attained the votes required to be included on this prestigious list. Winners will be highlighted in Edition 2 of the magazine and FSA’s Food for Thought eNewsletter. For food companies, AutoScheduler drives higher degrees of warehouse labor utilization, reduces labor costs, and increases order fulfillment rates. Its advanced AI technology visualizes all operations at a distribution center and optimizes labor, equipment, touches, and inventory to drive efficiencies.
ISS wins ‘Minority Owned/Diverse Exporter of the Year’ award at NJITA
Company recognized alongside other noteworthy New Jersey-based exporters during inaugural awards ISS (Intelligent Security Systems), a global provider of video intelligence and data awareness solutions, was recently honored with the “Minority Owned/Diverse Exporter of the Year” award in the first ever New Jersey International Trade Awards (NJITA), which were held last month at Galloping Hill Golf Club in Kenilworth, N.J. Hosted by the New Jersey District Export Council in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the inaugural event also recognized New Jersey-based businesses in three other categories, including “Exporter of the Year,” “Service Exporter,” and “New Exporter.” “Hosting this program gave us the opportunity to spotlight the significant impact of exporters on our state’s economy,” Susan Widmer, Director at the U.S. Commercial Services in Northern New Jersey, said during her opening remarks at the event. “We are pleased to be the catalyst to start this important new tradition.” Based in Woodbridge, N.J., ISS has been nationally certified by the New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council as a Minority Business Enterprise or MBE, for short. “ISS takes immense pride in being recognized as the Minority Owned/Diverse Exporter of the Year as this prestigious accolade highlights the significance of diversity and inclusion in the realm of business and international trade,” said ISS CEO Aluisio Figueiredo. “As an MBE, ISS exemplifies the success that can be achieved through equal opportunities and representation. This recognition not only boosts the reputation of ISS, but it also opens doors to new partnerships, collaborations, and market opportunities. By championing diversity, ISS sets an example for other companies to embrace inclusivity, fostering innovation and economic growth.” ISS COO Daniel Marino was on hand at the event to accept the award and take part in a panel discussion alongside representatives from the other honorees, which included Gokhan Alkanat of Rowan University, Diana Levy of Undercover Snacks, and Bill Killeen of Acrow Bridge, to share insights on the current export environment and the challenges that companies will likely face moving forward. “Sharing our expertise on the innovation required to export and fill other market needs with fellow New Jersey-based business leaders was an enriching experience,” Marino explained. “As a minority business enterprise, we were honored to have the opportunity to discuss the lessons that we have learned through the years on embracing cultural differences and the various challenges that can come with that.”
Hargrove Controls & Automation’s Sean Phillips receives CSIA’s 2023 Rising Star Award
Senior Project Manager Sean Phillips, P.E. of Hargrove Controls & Automation, an industrial automation system integrator and a subsidiary of global EPC firm Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, was presented the prestigious 2023 Rising Star Award at the 2023 Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference in New Orleans, LA. CSIA recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to the industry at an annual award’s banquet held during the annual Executive Conference. There are five award categories and the ‘Rising Star Award’ is awarded to an individual who is relatively new to the industry yet has shown attributes of a leader. Recipients also demonstrate that they are a person whose career is on the rise due to their dedication to innovation. “Sean consistently exemplifies excellence. In every facet of his work, our fundamental principles of safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and innovation shine through,” said Hargrove Controls & Automation’s Leader of Projects Doug Sumpter. “Sean possesses an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and enhancing his performance in any role he undertakes. He never settles for merely meeting expectations; instead, he surpasses them and establishes new heights with each endeavor.” Phillips began his career in Control Systems engineering in 2014, starting as a co-op with Hargrove Controls & Automation. With his aptitude as a life-long learner and ability to lead strategically, Phillips quickly gained an engineering lead position and began leading jobs within two years of graduating college from Auburn University. Since then, he has transitioned into a Technical Lead position and now serves as a Senior Project Manager (PM) at Hargrove Controls & Automation. Phillips is a member of the Control Engineering/Plant Engineering’s Engineering Leaders Under 40 Class of 2022, which recognizes young professionals who have made a significant contribution to the success of their organization and community. He also serves as the President of the Mobile-Pensacola “Emerald Coast” Chapter of the International Society of Automation (ISA), where he is committed to helping develop talent and inspire action in the local community of industry professionals. “My motto is use hard work to capitalize on unique opportunities. Lean on the ones who build you up, whether it be an inspirational granddad or an incredibly supportive significant other. Let them be the push you need to make an impact,” Phillips said at the awards ceremony. “In regard to opportunities, everyone has them in one form or another, albeit some greater than others. But recognizing the opportunities for what they are is difficult to do while remaining in familiar territory. That’s why I believe stepping out of the work environment for events such as the CSIA Executive Conference puts you at an advantage. How are you going to capitalize on the unique opportunities presented to you?”
RBW Logistics strengthens leadership team with appointment of David Sadler as CFO
RBW Logistics, a third-party logistics provider, has announced the appointment of David Sadler as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective May 22, 2023. With a background in financial and risk management, strategic development, and business growth, Sadler brings a wealth of expertise to RBW Logistics. “I am honored to become a part of RBW’s leadership team and contribute to its ongoing success,” says Sadler. “My vision is to establish a finance function that sets the industry standard, delivering precise and timely reporting while acting as a trusted and strategic partner to the business. Through close collaboration with cross-functional teams, we will align financial strategies with operational goals, driving innovation, optimizing efficiency, and ultimately generating superior value for our customers.” Having held senior financial positions at organizations including GEODIS, Diversified, Duke Energy and EarthLink, Sadler possesses extensive experience in financial management, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and risk management. His diverse background equips him with a deep understanding of the industry and its dynamics, enabling him to provide valuable insights and strategic guidance that will benefit RBW Logistics’ customers. His strong leadership skills, coupled with his comprehensive financial knowledge, make him an invaluable addition to the RBW Logistics team. Frank Anderson, President and CEO of RBW Logistics, expressed his excitement about the new appointment, stating, “We welcome David as our new Chief Financial Officer. His proven track record in financial management and strategic planning will be vital to our continued growth and success. With his expertise and leadership, we are confident that RBW Logistics will further strengthen its position as an industry leader in third-party logistics.”