KPI Solutions appoints Jason Boehl as Vice President, Enterprise Solutions
Jason will provide strategic direction for client automation design and systems integration to transform distribution and fulfillment operations. KPI Solutions (KPI), a supply chain consulting, software, systems integration, and automation supplier has announced that Jason Boehl has joined the company as Vice President Enterprise Solutions. In this role, Jason will optimize clients’ distribution, warehousing, and fulfillment operations by uniting data-driven designs and innovative engineering with high-performance automation technologies, powered by KPI’s proprietary OPTO software platform. “I’m thrilled to join the accomplished professionals at KPI Solutions as we successfully address clients’ most complex labor, capacity, and efficiency challenges,” said Jason. “In this time of supply chain disruption, we are dedicated to creating and ensuring value through customized and cost-justified automation that increases throughput capacity and boosts operational efficiency across the distribution process.” “We are excited to leverage Jason’s experience as we continue to provide critical design recommendations, holistic operational optimization, and risk mitigation for our clients,” said Ron Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at KPI Solutions. “Jason’s extensive background with transformative warehousing and distribution projects will guide the delivery of customized and innovative automation solutions that increase productivity and build long-term client value.” Jason joins KPI after nearly a decade of increasing responsibility at Honeywell Intelligrated where he most recently served as Executive Director, Solution Consulting and Data Analytics. With his 25+ years of industry experience, he also holds expertise in warehouse and transportation software, engineered labor standards, warehouse operations, and Six Sigma lean practices. KPI Solutions was formed in 2021 with the combination of Kuecker Logistics Group, Pulse Integration, and QC Software. In 2022, the company acquired Precision Distribution Consultants, SIMCOM Solutions, and Commonwealth Supply Chain Advisors.
Hubbell announces new Segment Leadership
Allan Connolly, current President of Hubbell Utility Solutions segment retiring Greg Gumbs appointed President of Hubbell Utility Solutions segment Mark Mikes appointed President of Hubbell Electrical Solutions segment Hubbell Incorporated (“Hubbell”) just announced that Allan Connolly, President of Hubbell Utility Solutions (“HUS”), will retire effective July 1, 2023. Greg Gumbs will serve as President of HUS upon Mr. Connolly’s retirement. The Company further announced today the appointment of Mark Mikes as President of the Hubbell Electrical Solutions (“HES”) segment. The retirement of Mr. Connolly and the appointments of Mr. Gumbs and Mr. Mikes are effective July 1, 2023. Allan Connolly joined Hubbell in 2018 as a result of the Aclara acquisition and has served as President of HUS since 2019. Gerben Bakker, Hubbell’s Chairman, President and CEO commented, “I would like to thank Allan for his contributions to Hubbell over the past five years. Under his leadership, Hubbell’s legacy power franchise and Aclara business merged together to create a leading platform of best-in-class utility solutions for our customers. His strategic vision for the business and passion for innovation helped drive a strong acceleration in the segment’s organic growth profile over the past several years. During Allan’s tenure, HUS delivered operating profit growth for our shareholders well in excess of double-digits on a compounded annual basis. I wish him all the best in his next chapter and thank him for his partnership.” Greg Gumbs succeeds Mr. Connolly as President of HUS with a proven track record of leadership and performance in the utility, electrical and automation industries. Mr. Gumbs has most recently been President and CEO – Bosch Rexroth North America since 2020, and prior to that held various senior leadership positions at Eaton Electrical and Rockwell Automation. “Greg is a strong leader who I am confident will build on a strong foundation and deliver continued outperformance for the business,” said Mr. Bakker. Mr. Bakker continued, “As grid modernization and electrification drive greater need for utility automation, Greg’s experience and skillset are uniquely suited to enable HUS to optimize our leading positions across components, communications and controls to deliver differentiated solutions for our customers. I look forward to him joining Hubbell’s leadership team.” Mark Mikes has been with Hubbell for over thirty years in various roles at Hubbell Power Systems (“HPS”), a division of HUS, which he has led for the last several years. Mr. Bakker commented, “Mark has a well-established track record of success at Hubbell. He played a major leadership role in our successful efforts to bring together a broad portfolio of acquired utility businesses under a unified, integrated business in HPS. Organized to compete collectively, HPS’s simplified operating structure has enabled us to consistently improve profitability and cash generation. Mark is the ideal leader to execute on a similar playbook at HES as we continue our multi-year strategy to improve the segment’s long-term growth and margin profile.” Mr. Bakker concluded, “Hubbell’s leading positions in front of and behind the meter strategically align our Utility Solutions and Electrical Solutions segments around attractive long-term trends in grid modernization and electrification. Our strategy is delivering strong results in the near-term, and we remain focused on delivering consistently differentiated performance for our shareholders and customers over the long-term. Hubbell is excited to announce today the appointments of our new segment leaders. Both Greg and Mark are committed to Hubbell’s core strategy, and both are well supported by experienced and talented teams that will help support their transitions to their new roles while ensuring Hubbell continues to drive value for all of our stakeholders.”
Raymond named to Forbes America Best Midsize Employers list for 3rd consecutive year
For three consecutive years, Forbes has been honoring The Raymond Corporation as one of America’s best midsize employers from the engineering and manufacturing sector. The list recognizes employers from among 500 companies, based on an independent survey and polling of an anonymous group of employees. “This recognition is the result of all our Raymond associates working together to build on our successful 100-year history,” said Steve VanNostrand, executive vice president, The Raymond Corporation. “We are all very proud of this award and are committed to continuously improving career opportunities, recognition and our associate experience.” Forbes determined the list of best midsize employers in partnership with Statistica, a world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Statistica surveyed 45,000 Americans working for businesses with more than 1,000 employees to determine the list for midsize employers. Statistica collected anonymous responses through a survey that asked employees how likely they would be to recommend their employer to others; and gave respondents the opportunity to nominate organizations other than their own, as well as identify organizations they would not recommend to others. VanNostrand said: “Raymond’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and supporting the advancement of our people and processes is the driving force behind our success in manufacturing and engineering. By prioritizing people development, we are able to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve excellence in all aspects of our business.” The Raymond Corporation is hiring for more than 200 manufacturing positions on the first, second and third shifts, as well as for a number of engineering disciplines including, software, electrical, quality, research and more. Weekly on-site interviews are being held at its Greene, New York, and Muscatine, Iowa, locations, along with in-person and virtual job fairs held in June 2023. For more details about open positions and the job fairs, visit https://careers.raymondcorp.com/.
Columbia/Okura’s Hutton decides to retire in August
Columbia/Okura LLC announces that after more than 17 years leading the company, Brian Hutton, President, has decided to retire effective August 18, 2023. Brian has served in his current role since June 2012, and prior to that, as General Manager since joining the joint venture on January 1, 2006. Brian has spent his entire ~ 40-year professional career in various roles in the Material Handling and Packaging Equipment industries. During Brian’s tenure he has provided a leadership role in helping the company substantially grow their installed base of robotic palletizers. In the process Brian has served as a champion for establishing new strategic alliances with suppliers and channel partners. “Under Brian’s leadership Columbia/Okura has grown significantly and is a clear market leader for Robotic Palletizing Solutions in the Western Hemisphere. Over the last 10 years Columbia/Okura has developed from a standalone palletizing solution provider to a large systems integrator, providing turnkey engineering and installation services for numerous multimillion dollar systems and integrated bagging lines. This transformation has been accomplished while retaining a very high customer Net Promoter Score, all while generating record revenue and record profitability in recent years. Brian has been a great colleague, valuable member of our Executive Team and a good friend to many of us”, said Rick Goode, CEO of Columbia Machine, Inc. To provide ongoing continuity and executive leadership, Columbia/Okura is very pleased to announce the appointment of Fred Robinson to succeed Brian. Fred has served in numerous leadership roles in robotics and factory automation and brings a strong background in equipment manufacturing. Fred will take over day-to-day responsibilities as President of Columbia/Okura on July 1, 2023. “We are grateful for the many dedicated years of service and steady leadership Brian has provided to Columbia/Okura. We look forward to Fred continuing our growth for many years to come”, said Daisuke Okura, Executive Director of Okura Yusoki Co., Ltd.
Plus One Robotics hires John Crimmins as Sr. Solutions Architect
Plus One Robotics, a provider of advanced AI vision software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, has announced the hiring of John Crimmins as a senior solutions architect. Crimmins is responsible for developing automation solutions that expand the implementation of Plus One technology within the logistics industry. “John will leverage the experience he gained while designing automated warehouses for Amazon and Dematic to architect solutions for Plus One’s customers that incorporate 3D vision-guided manipulators to improve warehouse productivity,” said Paul Hvass, Co-founder and CSO at Plus One Robotics. “His track record of capturing and documenting customer requirements through site surveys and operations engagement will accelerate the adoption of robots in the warehouse.” Crimmins has experience in developing automated solutions for general merchandise, parcel, e-commerce, 3PL, temperature-controlled (fridge and freezer), and B2B industries. He has worked at some of the largest logistics companies in the world including Walmart, Dematic, Amazon Robotics, and Vanderlande Industries where he led a $1 billion project at the LAX Airport and Southern California baggage handling systems. Most recently, he was a manager of solution design at Vicarious, a robotics software company that was recently acquired by Alphabet. Crimmins has a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Kettering University (Flint, Mich.).
Women In Trucking Association announces its June 2023 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Stephanie Klang as its June 2023 Member of the Month. As a professional driver for 38 years with 4 million miles, she provides her knowledge and perspective as an industry advocate and driver ambassador. Klang began her career in the trucking industry in January 1980. At the time, there were very few driving schools and the regulations were more relaxed, so when she took the written test for her class A license, her husband was allowed to teach her on the job. The pair drove as a team for 15 years, traveling through 48 states. However, she was often treated as her husband’s helper or as an extra logbook. This changed in 1987 when she started her career at CFI, a growing company with an open-door policy, commitment to safety, and providing excellent equipment. From the first day, she was treated like a fully qualified driver and was able to flourish. Klang learned about WIT and its mission when Founder Ellen Voie was promoting ride-alongs in 2010. The next year, she was chosen to pick up Debbie Hersman, a board member for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in Washington D.C., and drive her to the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. A film crew was hired by Conway, her employer at the time, to capture the experience, launching Klang’s media career. Due to this successful event, she received Conway’s Constellation Award in 2012, an honor only awarded to five out of 30,000 employees. In 2013, she joined America’s Road Team (ART). As the only woman nominated, she became the third female driver in the history of ART. With the support of her company, Klang was able to attend several events a year and make a difference in enhancing the trucking industry’s image. In 2015, WIT developed its Image Team, a volunteer group comprised of professional drivers and industry experts who represent the spirit of the association and share their knowledge and experience with the media, at events, and more. Klang immediately jumped at the opportunity to be involved. Additionally, she offered her perspective and expertise by serving on the WIT board of directors. Klang achieved her goal of retiring from driving at the age of 60, but her influence on the trucking industry was far from over. After retirement, she transitioned into CFI’s marketing department to continue attending high school career days and truck shows. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020, she took it as a sign to retire. However, in the fall of 2022, she felt called to continue her involvement with WIT as an Image Team member and driver ambassador for the association’s WITney trailer program, educating and amplifying how a career in transportation can be rewarding for women. She speaks at industry events, truck shows, and career days. “In my four million miles of driving in transportation, I came away with a few things,” said Klang. “Do the right thing when no one is watching; nothing great is achieved easily or without grit; if you do not like where you are in life, improve yourself and move up; practice and improve every day; and be positive and kind. On the days I did not feel my best, I got up and fulfilled my obligations anyway and they turned out to be some of my best days.”
SVT Robotics names David Bates as VP of Customer Success
Bates will streamline technology onboarding and optimize the customer experience SVT Robotics, a provider of enterprise software for the integration and deployment of industrial robotics, has announced the appointment of David Bates as Vice President of Customer Success. In his position, Bates will be responsible for optimizing the onboarding process of new SOFTBOT® Platform users, as well as the overall growth of the platform’s user base. “SVT’s customer base has grown significantly in recent years, and we’re committed to maintaining the highest standard of customer care and ensuring a productive and fulfilling user experience,” said A.K. Schultz, co-founder and CEO of SVT Robotics. “David brings with him a deep background in product-led growth, specifically in the B2B space as well as in the supply chain. We are excited to have him join our team and we’re certain that he’ll provide SOFTBOT users, new and existing, with tremendous value.” Bates joins the SVT team after most recently serving as Vice President, Software, Controls and Integration Unit – Americas at Swisslog, a global provider of robotic intralogistics solutions. Prior to Swisslog, Bates held the position of Chief Technology Officer at Perfect Commerce, a B2B sourcing, procurement, and billing software company. “I have always been focused on ensuring that teams, technology, and systems meet customer objectives and exceed expectations,” said Bates. “It is a pleasure to join the SVT Robotics team. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the company by streamlining new user onboarding processes and growing the SOFTBOT Platform customer base.” Bates resides in Yorktown, Virginia, and holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Virginia Military Institute.
KPI Solutions expands with a new Atlanta Office extending resources for Eastern US Clients & Technology Partners
Industry veteran Chris Barber leads the eastern regional team to provide sales and service that transforms companies’ distribution and fulfillment operations KPI Solutions (KPI), a supply chain consulting, software, systems integration, and automation supplier has announced the addition of an Atlanta office to be led by experienced industry veteran, Chris Barber. With this new Alpharetta location, KPI further expands its North American footprint, offering end-to-end services and customized supply chain solutions including consulting, engineered concept design, systems integration, warehouse software, and lifetime support services. “We are excited to open this Atlanta office to better serve our clients from initial planning discussions to go-live of successful and transformative distribution projects,” said Chris Barber, Vice President at KPI Solutions. “The KPI Team is committed to designing and delivering customized and innovative solutions that accelerate productivity and drive efficiencies in our client’s warehousing and distribution operations.” “This Atlanta location allows proximity not only to our clients but also to a substantial base of our automation technology providers and local tech talent,” added Ron Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at KPI Solutions. “Our team stands ready to further the creation of long-lasting value for clients as we leverage our breadth of experience coupled with world-class automation partnerships to profitably address today’s warehousing challenges.” KPI Solutions was formed in 2021 with the combination of Kuecker Logistics Group, Pulse Integration, and QC Software. In 2022, the company acquired Precision Distribution Consultants, SIMCOM Solutions, and Commonwealth Supply Chain Advisors.
SUN Automation Group® announces Bryan Fitch as new Technical Manager
SUN Automation Group (SUN), a global provider of innovative solutions to the global corrugated industry, has announced that Bryan Fitch has been hired as a Technical Sales Manager for the North American market. With an established career in the corrugated industry, Bryan will serve to recommend and improve box plants’ operations with equipment, parts, and service from SUN. With this new position, Bryan continues to cement his legacy in the corrugated industry. From humble beginnings on the production floor to overseeing operations as a Plant and General manager, Bryan has intimate knowledge of corrugated machinery and the experience to leverage it and lead highly efficient operations. He has led 5 corrugated plants in 5 different states, gaining hands-on experience in everything from managing the electrical and foundational installation of equipment to purchasing and directing the development of new production lines. “He’s an expert in all things corrugated, and knows what it takes to make a successful operation,” says Greg Jones, Executive Vice President at SUN. “His extensive knowledge combined with his commitment to improvement make him an asset that we are excited to add to our employee-owned team and to serve our customers.” Bryan will be able to leverage his knowledge in optimizing box plant operations as a trusted advisor at SUN. From new installations of converting and material handling equipment to recommending ideal upgrades and retrofits, he will help SUN customers meet their goals, improve overall efficiency and reduce downtime. He will be able to leverage his years of industry experience and SUN’s offerings of parts, equipment, and strategic partnerships to provide unmatched recommendations to the market. “He has already worked with a variety of SUN installations of equipment over his career,” says Rob Casella, Technical Director at SUN. “Having been on the customer side, Bryan’s knowledge is priceless. He understands first-hand on every aspect of our offerings, so we are excited to have him on the team.” This new position and the growth of the technical team directly aligns with SUN’s commitment to best serve its customers. SUN strives to understand the nuanced needs and considerations of each operation. With a comprehensive portfolio of products and access to decades of experience and expertise, SUN is positioned to provide complete solutions for any corrugated production.
Brenton appoints Nick Szczechowski as new Regional Sales Manager
Nick Szczechowski has been appointed as Regional Sales Manager covering the Midwest for Brenton. In his role, Szczechowski will be working with distributors, integrators, OEMs, and end-user customers to grow the company’s end-of-line packaging systems. Brenton is a global provider in designing and manufacturing integrated end-of-line case packaging systems and machines, specializing in case packing and palletizing using both robotics and other automation. Szczechowski brings nearly 20 years of sales experience to Brenton. He was most recently a regional sales and key account manager at Robopac, a manufacturer of end-of-line packaging equipment. Szczechowski also held various sales management positions within other industrial automation industries. “This is a great opportunity for me to join Brenton and work closely with our talented regional sales managers to demonstrate the value our robotic case packaging solutions bring to customers,” Szczechowski said. “Brenton is a growing company and industry leader, and I’m excited to join this team and contribute to making 2023 a great year for Brenton.” Szczechowski, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Madonna University, is based in the Chicago area. He can be reached at Nick.szczechowski@promachbuilt.com.
CLARK Material Handling Company announces appointment of Mike Binnie as COO/CAO of CLARK North America
CLARK Material Handling Company, a top-ten manufacturer of forklifts and spare parts, has announced the appointment of J. Michael Binnie as COO/CAO for its North America operations. In this role, Mr. Binnie will oversee daily operations at CLARK, working closely with the CLARK dealer network, facilitating the continued innovation of the company, as well as working closely with the CLARK management team to build on the success of the company with a long-term strategic plan. Mr. Binnie has over 30 years of experience in various industries and holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University. He will report to Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of CLARK North America. Mr. Binnie has previous experience with the Young An family of companies, having recently served as President and CEO of Dorfman Milano Company for the past four years in Stockton, California/Garland, Texas. Prior to that position, Mr. Binnie served as President, Dickies Workwear (North America) / VF Corporation. Mr. Binnie brings to the organization a solid business background in strategic planning, marketing and sales, and supply chain management. “We are so pleased that Mike is joining us to enhance the success that CLARK has achieved in the marketplace over the past twenty years. He is a seasoned professional, with many years of leadership and operational expertise. He will be a valued asset to the team in North America,” commented Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of CLARK North America. “I am excited to be joining a team that has experienced exponential growth in the last two decades and believe that my experience leading successful companies will be beneficial to the CLARK brand. CLARK Material Handling Company’s culture is one of excellence and community, which is in alignment with my personal values,” added Mike Binnie, COO/CAO of CLARK North America. Mr. Binnie will be based out of the CLARK corporate location in Dallas, Texas.
Kivnon expands leadership team to Leverage UK growth
Kivnon, a global provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles has appointed a new UK country manager and a sales director to help meet growing product demand in the United Kingdom. Jose Pantaleao will be the new UK Country Manager and Meir Ziskin will be the Sales Manager. Jose Pantaleao, who has been Kivnon’s France country manager since May 2020, will also manage the Kivnon UK subsidiary that provides AGV/AMR vehicles and related maintenance services to the UK. He will provide project management, sales, purchasing, and technical services to support the increasing demand for Kivnon solutions in the UK and France. Mr. Pantaleao brings many years of global automation expertise gained in logistics, e-commerce, automotive, goods-to-persons, and PLC programming positions, including projects in China, Spain, India, and Denmark. Meir Ziskin will be Kivnon’s new UK Sales Manager. He is an accomplished sales and business development professional with more than ten years of experience in the logistics and automation industries. He has a proven track record of driving business growth and establishing solid relationships with clients in various sectors, including automotive, e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals. Before joining Kivnon, Mr. Ziskin held multiple sales roles at companies such as K2 Automation and Su-Pad in Israel for Universal Robots and MiR. “Global digital transformation is intensifying interest in our AGV and AMR technologies and the UK has been one of our fastest-growing regions. We are pleased to announce that Jose and Meir are joining Kivnon to help us take full advantage of these emerging opportunities. We are already very familiar with Jose’s leadership talents through his successful management of our business and France and Meir comes to us with stellar experience in industrial automation sales management and business development,” said Thierry Delmas, Managing Director at Kivnon.
Herc Rentals recognized among America’s Climate Leaders 2023
Herc Holdings, Inc., a North American equipment rental supplier operating through Herc Rentals Inc., has been included on USA TODAY’s list of America’s Climate Leaders 2023. This distinction is presented by USA TODAY and Statista Inc., a world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, to U.S. companies that achieved comparably significant reductions in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity, relative to revenue, from 2019 to 2021. To be considered for inclusion on the list, companies must have reported $50 million or more in revenue in 2021 and met emission data reporting criteria. “A focal point of our sustainability efforts is reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and, since 2019, we have reduced Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity by 17%,” said Herc Rentals President and CEO Larry Silber. “Our recognition as one of America’s Climate Leaders for 2023 reflects the progress we are making on our sustainability initiatives and our continued efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of our business activities.” Herc Rentals’ ESG strategy and sustainability goals can be viewed here: https://ir.hercrentals.com/sustainability To view the list of America’s Climate Leaders 2023, visit www.usatoday.com
IDENTCO names Brad Zechman as new CEO
Executive brings three decades of automotive, electronics & industrial expertise, and leadership to prominent labeling solutions provider IDENTCO, a manufacturer of high-performance labeling solutions for the power equipment, electronics, transportation, and general industrial sector – has appointed longtime materials supply executive Brad Zechman as its newest CEO. He officially joined the company on April 10 and will be responsible for overseeing all strategic business, sales, and product development direction across each of IDENTCO’s four major business units. Mr. Zechman also is the CEO of Reliance Label Solutions. Most recently, Mr. Zechman served as president of Pennsylvania-based Adhesives Research, where his implementation of a commercial transformation linked to a more suitable operational strategy lead to significant growth. Prior to that, he spent three years as VP of Global Packaging for Minnesota-based HB Fuller, where he oversaw strategies that helped mitigate the then-deflationary raw materials market. Before that, he spent a decade with specialty materials and electromechanical solutions company LORD, where his leadership led to exponential growth. Mr. Zechman joins IDENTCO at a promising time. The company has been steadily adding to its extensive portfolio of labeling solutions, which it designs, manufactures, and supplies for demanding sectors such as automotive components, electronics applications, industrial machinery & tools, and commercial transportation. Among other products, IDENTCO specializes in exactingly engineered labels, ribbons, applicators, and printers for product tracking & tracing, branding, compliance, and identification. Mr. Zechman is replacing IDENTCO CEO and founder Scott Lucas, who is retiring after an impressive 37 years with the company. Through the decades, Mr. Lucas’ stewardship helped take IDENTCO from a promising labeling and marking solutions startup to the robust, globally-focused organization it is today. Mr. Lucas has assumed the title of Chief Strategic Relations Officer. “I am honored to step into the role of a true industry pioneer like Scott, and look forward to helping build upon what he helped create as IDENTCO enters a new chapter,” said Mr. Zechman. “We’ll continue to expand of solutions portfolio across each of our four main business units, with the goal of further increasing our market presence in each.” Mr. Zechman earned a degree in chemical engineering from Rutgers University in New Jersey, and an MBA in finance from Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
Genuine Parts Company announces Executive Officer changes
The company also announced Randy Breaux’s promotion from President, Motion to the newly created role of Group President, GPC North America, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Herron will serve in an advisory role until his retirement to assist in an orderly and seamless transition. “Kevin has been an invaluable asset to GPC throughout his 34 years of dedicated service to the company, including the last five years as President of USAG,” said Paul Donahue, Chairman and CEO. “He embodies GPC’s values. He is a caring leader who always puts customers and people first, and his work ethic and automotive industry knowledge are unmatched. We extend our deepest gratitude for his commitment and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.” Mr. Breaux joined Motion in 2011 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Distribution, Purchasing and Strategic Planning. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in January 2018 and then President in January 2019. Over the past five years, Mr. Breaux has led the impressive transformation of Motion, including the strategic acquisition of Kaman Distribution Group (KDG). He established a strategic vision, developed a high-performing team and culture, and delivered consistent and exceptional performance each year. In the new role, Mr. Breaux will oversee both the automotive and industrial businesses across North America, while assuming day-to-day responsibility as President of USAG. He will continue to report to Will Stengel, President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Randy to the new role of Group President, GPC North America,” Mr. Donahue continued. “He has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver outstanding results. Randy’s leadership and relevant expertise make him the ideal candidate for this role. This transition also represents the depth of our leadership team and our talent initiatives as we continue to foster the power of One GPC.”
GEODIS expands drayage offering with acquisition of Southern Companies
GEODIS has announced it has acquired Southern Companies, a drayage provider based in the U.S. that handles all phases of the import and export process. The acquisition enhances GEODIS’ end-to-end supply chain capabilities across the U.S., further strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading providers of logistics services. Southern Companies is a family-owned business founded in Miami in 1965 and has moved more than 1 million containers. The company runs operating terminals serving seven key ports: Port of Miami, Port of Everglades, Port of Houston, Port of Jacksonville, Port of Tampa, Port of Savannah, and Port of Charleston. Southern Companies provides a range of import and export services, including warehousing and trucking, to ensure customer goods are moving swiftly through the supply chain. “The acquisition of Southern Companies represents an important addition to GEODIS as we continue to strengthen and grow our capabilities, our team, and our client roster throughout the U.S.,” said Mike Honious, GEODIS in Americas President & CEO. “Southern Companies has been a leader in drayage services, from warehousing to trucking, for nearly six decades and operates in ports that are critical to our clients. From their people and culture to their expertise and capabilities, Southern Companies is an ideal fit for GEODIS and aligns perfectly with our America’s growth strategy.” Jorge Mora, Owner & CEO of Southern Companies, said, “We have been relentlessly focused on import and export logistics, with a special emphasis on port operations, and have witnessed tremendous organic growth since our beginnings over 55 years ago. We understand the unique needs of our clients and have proven expertise in maintaining the highest standards of excellence while meeting the ever-changing demands of a growing international market. By combining our capabilities with GEODIS’ exceptional leadership, deep bench of experts, and global footprint, we can expand our reach and provide an even broader range of services to our clients to help them navigate today’s complex supply chain landscape.” The acquisition complements GEODIS in America’s existing transportation and warehousing capabilities, providing customers with an efficient and reliable end-to-end logistics solution. More than 80 employees spanning Southern Companies’ seven facilities throughout the Southeast will officially join GEODIS. With its Americas region headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, GEODIS currently operates more than 150 warehouse facilities for its clients with over 50 million square feet of warehousing space in the U.S. alone. GEODIS now has more than 17,000 employees across North America. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Hai Robotics USA changes leadership structure to support a growing American market
As of May 10th, the American leadership team at Hai Robotics USA advances on a global scale as the company deepens its investment and dedication to the U.S. market. Richie Chen, the founder and owner of Hai Robotics, will assume the role of U.S. General Manager, Brian Reinhart, formerly the Vice President of Sales, Solutions & Marketing, will take on the role of Chief Revenue Officer, and Brian Zheng, formerly the U.S. General Manager, will advance into the role of Vice President of Operations. Hai Robotics and Hai Robotics USA have announced the advancements in their upper leadership to better support the rapidly growing North American market and best meet the demands and needs of customers here. When asked about the growing American market and Hai Robotics’ developing leadership structure to support it, Brian Zheng explains, “Leadership is about adaptability and strategic thinking. Sometimes, changing a leadership structure can be the key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving greater success. As I transition from General Manager to VP of Operations, my focus remains steadfast on fostering collaboration between the U.S. and our global entities and driving increased investment in the US for Hai Robotics.” With the founder of Hai Robotics taking on a direct leadership role for Hai Robotics USA, and the elevation of Brian Reinhart and Brian Zheng, the North American market is expected to take on more of a leading role in the direction and development of the company. “I am excited to take the role of GM of Hai Robotics USA.” Richie Chen stated. “The US market is one of the most important markets for Hai. I look forward to working side-by-side with the rest of our American-based team to create the best value for our North American customers. We will also continue to develop and improve our industry-leading ACR solutions based on the needs of this market.” “This is a very exciting time for Hai Robotics US. Our growing presence in the market, consistent order intake, and ever-growing network of customers, partners, and clients, demands the full focus and attention of not just our US group, but our Global Organization,” said Brian Reinhart. “I’m very excited to work closer with Richie on the day-to-day operations of Hai US, and alongside Brian Zheng as we further strengthen our coordination and collaboration with our Global HQ and other global entities. This new structure allows us to provide immediate reinforcement of our US operations while allowing us room to grow and scale in the short and mid-term, ever focusing on our customers, employees, and partners.” Hai Robotics is a global provider of intelligent automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Advanced Autonomous Case-handling Robots (ACRs) are the core equipment that operates Hai Robotics ASRS solutions. These robots are independent of any storage medium, meaning they free facilities of the rigid constructs of shuttle or grid-based systems and the high costs of their required unique, high-precision storage structures and containers. ACRs are intelligent enough to manage ASRS created from structures readily available on the market. Facilities can utilize almost any industry standard shelving or racking structure that provides ideal density and use of vertical space, use most sizes of bins, trays, or cardboard cartons that fit the needs of their product, and design a system that provides amplified workflow speed, accuracy, and efficiency. ACRs manage the storage and retrieval of goods in vertical space 5x higher than standard AMR technologies, up to 10m (32+ feet high.) They provide the unique combined advantages of the system flexibility typically seen with AMR or AGV technology while allowing facilities to obtain modern warehouse density with maximum use of vertical storage, and the workflow efficiency and speed gains seen in the shuttle or grid-based systems while utilizing industry standard storage material. By utilizing these robust robots for their ASRS solution, facilities have seen a reduction of storage footprint by 75%, workflow efficiency gains increase by 4x, order pick accuracy of 99.9%, and an increase of daily orders fulfilled by over 170%.
Marsh Bellofram earns safety recognition
ARPM recognizes group for Best Safety Practices U.S.-based manufacturer Marsh Bellofram is being recognized for its commitment to safety in the workplace. The Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM) will honor the company at its 2023 Safety Awards by recognizing Marsh Bellofram in its Best Safety Practice category. The ARPM safety awards recognize companies in the manufacturing industry that have achieved excellent safety techniques that go beyond adherence to regulations. They are based on OSHA 300’s log of work-related injuries and illness statistics and safety best practices. Marsh Bellofram is a global manufacturer with 13 divisions focused on high-performance OEM, industrial, and process control instrumentation as well as elastomers, including diaphragms and specialty silicones. Marsh Bellofram’s environmental, health, and safety manager, Jonathon Monfredi, said the culture of health, wellness, and protection starts with Marsh Bellofram’s safety committee. The committee begins with a broad, overarching view of operations, seeks to engineer away hazards, and then drills down to daily practices that, when given adjustment or focus, can improve safety. “Each safety committee member is given a monthly assignment to conduct individual audits in their work area and help with monthly safety initiatives,” said Monfredi. “By conducting focus inspections in each department, we’re able to identify potential safety issues that we otherwise may not have. It has helped improve our overall safety culture.” With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that fatal workplace injuries rose nearly 9% between 2020 and 2021, the last year for which there are issued reports, workplace safety remains a concern for all businesses, particularly in manufacturing, where humans and machines often work in close contact. Recognition like this from ARPM is a reward for past accomplishments but also serves as a reminder to be ever vigilant. Marsh Bellofram will be recognized on May 25 during ceremonies that are part of ARPM’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Summit being held in Columbus, Ohio. For more information about the 2023 Safety Awards, visit www.arpminc.com/ehs.
Techlift International has acquired Chariots élévateurs GCS
Techlift International has acquired Chariots élévateurs GCS, thus becoming its fourth branch. With branches in Drummondville, Victoriaville, Sherbrooke and now Montreal, Techlift is taking a big step towards its goal to cover the entire Quebec territory. Kevin Lecouffe joins the team as Branch Manager. “We are happy to welcome Kevin and the GCS employees to the Techlift family. This is a great day for us and I thank the team for their confidence. We are looking forward to the success we will have together” – Guillaume Joyal, President of Techlift. Techlift will now offer an even wider range of products designed to help our customers more efficiently manage their equipment fleet.
Bastian Solutions awarded Gold in the 2023 Edison Awards
Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, was named a gold winner in the 2023 Edison Awards. The company is being honored in the Enhanced Automation category for its Bastian Solutions SmartPick™, a robotic bin picking solution, that combines cutting-edge AI-powered vision technology, industrial robotics, and goods-to-person technologies to create goods-to-robot solutions capable of picking the most complex assortment of products with 99.9% accuracy, gaining knowledge from previous picks to better handle various product shapes, sizes and surfaces. The Edison Awards, named after the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, recognizes some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world with past winners including Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, General Motors, and Genentech. The prestigious awards honor excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. All nominations go through a review process by the Edison Awards Steering Committee with the final ballot being determined by an independent judging panel. “We are honored and grateful for this recognition and proud that our efforts, to think of new and better ways to serve our customers, are being recognized by such a prestigious award. Bastian Solutions keeps its customers at the core of everything we do, and our incredibly talented employees help us serve our mission of being a best-in-class organization,” said Ron Daggett, Senior Vice President, Technology and Engineering All winners were officially recognized at the 36th annual Edison Awards™ Gala in Fort Myers, Fla. On April 20, 2023, where the finalists were granted Gold, Silver, or Bronze status.