Daubert Cromwell appoints new Director of Asia Business Development
Daubert Cromwell, a global manufacturer of corrosion inhibitors and protective packaging for industry, announces Polly Huang as Director – Asia Sales, Marketing & Business Development. With 13 years of company sales and management experience, Polly now has responsibility for growing the overall line of proprietary VCI packaging and rust preventive liquids business in Asia. Polly has a long history of success with Daubert Cromwell, first as the country manager for China and then as Managing Director, of Daubert China. She started by first supplying much-needed VCI packaging to customers in China, then built and operated a state-of-the-art VCI film extrusion facility in Shanghai to support that business. The sales, operations, and finance teams she assembled continue to provide a comprehensive line of VCI products to the largest companies in automotive, heavy equipment manufacturing, and all types of metal fabricators. In her new role, Polly will help develop and implement activities of Daubert Cromwell LLC and its subsidiaries. She is on the committee of senior management that determines the strategic direction of the corporation. She reports directly to President and CEO Martin Simpson. “Polly has extensive experience in sourcing and will continue to collaborate with suppliers and service providers in China and throughout Asia in support of our global business objectives,” Simpson explained. “Our managers in Daubert China will have access to Polly’s vast experience in China and she will be a valuable resource as we continue our growth and support of our customers in that market.”
NFI Ranked 9th for Best Logistics and Supply Chain Companies to Work For by InHerSight
NFI, a supply chain provider, was recognized in the recent list of “The Top 20 Best Logistics and Supply Chain Companies to Work For: As Rated by the Women Who Work There,” according to InHerSight, the largest company reviews platform for women. NFI earned the ninth spot in this list by having equal opportunities for women and men, flexible work hours, and women in leadership. “As a woman leader and an executive sponsor of Diversity and Inclusion at NFI, I am passionate about the importance of equal opportunities,” said NFI EVP & CHRO, Nancy Stefanowicz. “With our Employee Resource Groups, Diversity and Inclusion Council, enhanced benefits plans, and core values of integrity and social responsibility, we are committed to making NFI a place where all employees are treated equally and rewarded for their contributions every day,” shared Stefanowicz. InHerSight was co-founded by Ursula Mead in 2015 to improve the workplace for women. It collects anonymous data from women to assess how “women-friendly” a company is. Key metrics used to rate companies found on InHerSight include salary satisfaction, paid time off, and culture. The top 20 best logistics and supply chain companies to work for were chosen based on the ratings of over 200 companies made by women currently or formerly employed. NFI was rated by over 280 women, giving the highest ratings in areas of opportunity, family, and culture at NFI. The article with the top 20 best logistics and supply chain companies to work for will appear in the upcoming issue of Global Trade Magazine.
Plastics Industry Association announces 2023 Recycling Committee Executive Board
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has announced the 2023 Recycling Committee Executive Board. The Recycling Committee is a tactical committee that represents PLASTICS’ members across the association’s four councils, bringing equipment makers, brand owners, processors, and material suppliers together aligning their collective efforts to put recycling at the forefront of their business priorities. The PLASTICS Recycling Committee works to enhance the management of plastic waste through efforts such as advocating for increased collection, sortation, and recycling infrastructure, ensuring that the definition of “recycling” includes advanced recycling, educating people within and outside of the plastics industry about plastics recycling, and much more. “PLASTICS relies on and values leadership from our members,” said Andy Brewer, PLASTICS’ Associate Director of Sustainability and Materials. “We are excited to announce the 2023 Recycling Committee Executive Board, with expert professionals that represent the entire plastic supply chain.” The Recycling Committee’s 2023 Executive Board is as follows: Chair: Tory Flynn, Hillenbrand Vice Chair: Melanie Bower, ExxonMobil Member at Large: Lindy Holland, M. Holland Member at Large: Jean Jordan, Nexus Circular Member at Large: Ray Pellerin, EREMA Advanced Recycling: Holli Alexander, Eastman Advocacy & Communications: Christine Cassidy, Dart Events & Education: John Cook, Niagara Bottling New End Market Opportunities: Dan Sanders, Printpack Immediate Past Chair: Kevin Cronin, Ultra-Poly Corporation The Recycling Committee Executive Board is comprised of ten members, voted upon annually by committee members, and elected to provide thought leadership for PLASTICS and throughout the industry.
KION North America announces expansion with dealer partner Carson Material Handling
KION North America has announced its territory expansion with dealer partner Carson Material Handling. This expansion includes a new location in Campobello, S.C., and involves the acquisition of J&J Forklift Services. Carson Material Handling is authorized to sell the Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands. “We are grateful for our long and rewarding relationship with Carson Material Handling,” said Rick Schiel, Director, Distribution Management. “This expansion signifies Carson Material Handling’s continued commitment to growth and being a trusted resource for their client’s needs.” For almost 20 years, Carson Material Handling has been a fleet management solutions provider throughout North Carolina and North-Western South Carolina. Their one-stop-shop process for client challenges includes creating a holistic approach by providing equipment expertise, fleet automation, and service support throughout the customer’s life-cycle journey. “As a Linde-only dealership, we made a commitment to continue to grow and expand our footprint, market share, and capabilities within North and South Carolina,” said Duane Wilson, CEO of Carson Material Handling. “Our J&J Forklift Services acquisition provides an opportunity to bring our entire package of tested fleet management solutions to the upstate South Carolina market. With the full product line available from KION North America and the increased amount of localization, we are excited to offer our new customer base a wide range of equipment made in South Carolina to be used in South Carolina,” Wilson continued. For a complete directory of KION North America’s current dealer network, visit www.kion-na.com
TVH receives prestigious Industry Award
TVH Parts Co., a provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling, industrial, and light construction equipment industries, has earned the prestigious MVS (Most Valuable Supplier) Award for achievements in 2022. The MVS Award is granted by the industry’s trade association, MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association) to less than 10% of all member companies. This is the 8th consecutive year that TVH has earned the MVS Award. This industry award recognizes companies that have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. To qualify for the MVS Award, TVH was required to meet a series of criteria in a number of areas important to the distributor companies who do business with them. In addition to confirming an ongoing commitment to safety and employee training, award recipients must provide documentation of active participation in a program that “gives back.” MVS Award winners have demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs in the following areas: Industry Advocacy Distributor Advocacy Business Networking Continuing Education Business Best Practices “The MVS Award recognizes the best-of-the-best in our industry and is displayed with honor. To check all the boxes from education, industry best practices, awards, networking, employee engagement, giving back, and much more, MHEDA is proud to have so many companies achieve this award. MHEDA appreciates the dedication to MHEDA and being a leader in this great industry that we are so blessed to be in.” John L. Gelsimino President of All Lift Service Co. Inc. and 2023 MHEDA Chairman.
Lift Atlanta joins LiuGong North America dealer lineup
Lift Atlanta is the latest dealer to join the expanding LiuGong North America dealership network in the South. Leaders of the North Georgia-based business said they were looking for a new manufacturer at the end of 2022 and were intrigued by what they heard from current LiuGong dealers and their customers. “LiuGong reached out to us to see if we would be interested in the line,” said Lift Atlanta President Mark Milovich. “After talking with several LiuGong North America dealers and some end users, we liked what we heard and decided to enter into a dealer agreement with LiuGong.” Lift Atlanta is headquartered in Decatur, Georgia with an additional location in Augusta. The company was founded as a forklift dealer in 1975 by Mitchell Milovich, Lift Atlanta CEO. He brings a wealth of experience to the LiuGong North America dealer network with a background in the material handling industry since the mid-1960s. The business covers Georgia and parts of South Carolina, primarily serving recycling, concrete, lumber, and brick and block industries, as well as national retailers and shipping companies. Jared Ward, Vice President Material Handling Division, LiuGong North America, welcomed the company to the network. “As we continue to look for dealers to serve customers and key regions, it was apparent from its history that Lift Atlanta fit our needs in the material handling space,” Ward said. LiuGong North America President Andrew Ryan said Lift Atlanta is a highly respected dealer in the South, and they are looking forward to working together to expand their business in the area. “The people at Lift Atlanta know what it takes to be a reliable resource for their customers, and we know that service will extend to our products,” he said. “Their reputation with their customers will be key to expanding our dealer network and increasing sales in the region.” Milovich said Lift Atlanta seeks out trustworthy manufacturers that stand behind their products with excellent service, and the partnership with LiuGong North America is an extension of that strategy. “We try to align ourselves with quality manufacturers – ones that we, as well as our customers, can trust for quality goods and services,” he said.
Derek S. Foley joins Vector Security® Networks as Vice President of Sales
Seasoned security sales leader to create and execute sales strategy for a single-source provider of physical security and managed network services Vector Security® Networks, a division of Vector Security®, Inc., and the single-source provider of physical security solutions and managed network services to multi-site businesses across North America, has hired Derek S. Foley as Vice President of Sales. In this role, Foley is responsible for creating and executing the sales strategy to maintain and grow existing customer relationships and revenue, and to acquire new customers consistent with company objectives. He was most recently senior director of complex security sales at a global building technology and software, and service solutions provider. Foley brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, with a focus on security sales. “We welcome Derek to the Vector Security Networks’ team,” said Dave Fisher, Division President for Vector Security Networks. “He is a highly-competitive management professional with a proven record of success at driving high levels of profitability through effective staff, operations, and sales management. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow the business.” A graduate of Kent State University, Foley resides in Madison, Ohio.
Plus One Robotics appoints Elle Carroll as Sales Director
Plus One Robotics, a provider of advanced robot vision perception software and solutions for parcel handling systems performing over one million picks per day, announces the appointment of Elle Carroll as sales director, responsible for developing new business and expanding relationships within the 3PL and General Merchandise industries. “Elle has a great track record of success in driving robotic automation across a variety of distribution centers,” said Robert Nilsson, chief revenue officer at Plus One. “We are really excited to have her join us in accelerating the adoption of the Plus One platform at enterprise scale.” Carroll comes to the company with significant supply chain and robotic solution experience in both sales and engineering. Prior to joining Plus One, she was employed at Berkshire Grey (Bedford, Mass.) as a principal sales solution architect responsible for designing and contracting its robotic solutions at major retailers. She was an automation strategy consultant with Accenture’s Industry X.0 group prior to that with responsibility for supply chain transformation. Carroll has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in mechanical engineering, both from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY).
Zion Solutions Group named 2023 Most Valuable Partner
Zion Solutions Group has been named a 2023 Most Valuable Partner (MVP) by the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) for their 2022 accomplishments. MHEDA, known as the premier material handling trade association, bestows its MVP Award upon the best-of-the-best in the material handling industry – companies who embody industry best practices and dedication to education, employee engagement, and philanthropy. “We at Zion Solutions Group are honored to receive the 2023 MVP Award and are extremely grateful to our team, partners, and customers for our 2022 accomplishments! We’re ready for 2023 and excited to continue being a part of this thriving industry to drive creative and innovative solutions for our partners and customers,” said Zion Solutions Group President, Jim Shaw. Zion is dedicated to building win-win opportunities for their customers and suppliers and is equally committed to giving back to their community and their team members. In 2022, Zion donated to multiple local organizations and causes and guest lectured at schools and universities, highlighting Zion’s leadership in the industry and their value of education, philanthropic service, and building others up.
Flight Systems celebrates 55th anniversary
Flight Systems Industrial Products (FSIP) established in 1968, celebrates its 55th anniversary. In the early years, FSIP designed and manufactured aviation electronics for aircraft and runways. Today, they are recognized for electronic manufacturing, remanufacturing, electrification design, as a distribution channel, and offering solutions for battery equipment. The products offered serve numerous markets including material handling, golf cars, ATVs/UTVs, mining, boating, cleaning, go-karting, ground support equipment, and more. FSIP is committed to providing its customers with products and services that are the best in the electric vehicle industry. They employ technical expertise, efficient manufacturing practices, and OEM relationships to provide cost-effective, reliable solutions across EV markets. Battery Management – Chargers, load banks/dischargers, modules, regeneration, & watering systems Parts/Components -Contactors, controllers, conversion kits, displays/gauges, joysticks, motors, and test equipment, etc. Services – Manufacturing, Remanufacturing, Distribution, Electric System Design, and Battery Solutions Company General Manager, Pamela Jones stated “We have achieved this landmark anniversary through the hard work and dedication of our organization. Our focus is on culture, outstanding customer service, responsiveness, and innovation. We aim to fully satisfy our customer’s requirements and expectations while always keeping an eye on the future and working to service the fast-changing products and markets that we serve”. For more information about Flight Systems Industrial Products visit shop.fsip.biz. For product inquiries, contact Sales Support at 1-800-333-1194 or email: sales@fsip.biz Our team members are available between 8:00 -5:30 ET.
Women In Trucking Association announces its February 2023 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Cara Howes as its February 2023 Member of the Month. Cara is a parts distribution center manager at PACCAR Parts, a division of PACCAR Inc. Cara has been interested in the trucking industry for as long as she can remember. Her mother was a PACCAR employee, and Cara has fond memories of “bring your daughter to work day” as a child. Her grandfather owned a tanker business in Oregon and was a longtime Kenworth customer. Cara loved spending summers with her father, befriending Kenworth truck drivers, and making trucks her playground. One of her favorite games growing up was playing “name that truck” on family road trips. For Cara, joining PACCAR was an easy decision. Cara has worked at PACCAR for almost 15 years and has held key positions, including assistant director of customer service and assistant director of materials before switching to the operations side of the business. The way stuff moves have always fascinated Cara. She loves coordinating the movement of truck parts from point A to point B and takes pride in getting things where they need to be when they need to be there. Cara believes working in operations and logistics requires creative thinking and problem-solving as no two issues are the same. While there are guidelines, every situation is unique and requires perseverance regardless of obstacles. She motivates herself and her team with the mantra that a truck is a driver’s home, and it’s critical they have access to the parts they need to stay on the road. She understands the direct impact PACCAR employees have on a driver’s life. In addition to Cara’s impressive professional career, she also serves in the United States Navy Reserve as a supply corps officer and was recently selected for the rank of commander. She serves as officer-in-charge for the Fuels Detachment supporting Fleet Logistics Center San Diego. Cara deployed to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012 as part of a Logistics Mobile Training Team focused on training the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police on logistics best practices across the country. Her personal awards include two Navy Commendation Medals, an Army Commendation Medal, and five Navy Achievement Medals. Cara’s husband also works at PACCAR Parts as a supplier quality manager. They met while playing on the corporate softball team in 2007. Now, they stay busy raising their seven-year-old twin daughters. The girls know that mom and dad work for PACCAR, the company that owns Kenworth and Peterbilt. Cara has passed down “name that truck” to her daughters with an “is it a Kenworth or a Peterbilt” twist. They cannot wait to work at PACCAR when they are older. Cara’s advice to women wanting to break into the trucking industry is, “just do it. Take your comfort zone and smash it because growth comes from new challenges!”
After 100 years of innovation Raymond continues to lead
One hundred years after its founding, and with the same customer-first approach that led to the introduction of the double-faced wooden-sided pallet and the hydraulic hand pallet jack, The Raymond Corporation continues its unquestioned industry leadership with a host of awards and recognitions from the Logistics Hall of Fame, IndustryWeek, the National Association of Manufacturers, and other organizations. “For 100 years, the customer has been at the heart of our business,” said Michael Field, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation. “Recognition by these leading organizations affirms our dedication to building a business that starts and ends with helping customers optimize, connect and automate.” Among the honors Raymond has recently received are: Logistics Hall of Fame — George Raymond Sr. Developed in the 1930s by founder George Raymond Sr. and colleague William House, the double-sided wood pallet fundamentally changed the way products are stored and moved, offering operations new levels of performance and efficiency. “It’s incredible to see the lasting impact my grandfather had and how his spirit of innovation lives on today at The Raymond Corporation,” said Steve Raymond, retired president of Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation and grandson of Raymond’s founder. “One hundred years later, the double-faced wooden pallet remains an industry standard.” IndustryWeek Best Plants — Greene, New York. Lean management techniques, as well as defect reduction initiatives, visual management, and 44 active quality control circle activities, have helped double production volume at Raymond’s Greene, New York, plant while providing for a 35% increase in overall quality over the past three years. The Best Plant Awards program recognizes excellence in manufacturing facilities and aims to encourage other manufacturers to adopt world-class practices, technologies, and improvement strategies, increase customer satisfaction and offer rewarding work environments for employees. R&D 100 Award Winner — iW.RTLS. Long considered a benchmark of excellence, the R&D 100 Awards program recognizes new commercial products for their technological significance. Raymond is honored to have its iWAREHOUSE® Real-Time Location System (iW.RTLS) chosen as a winner in the Process/Prototyping category for its ability to control personnel, equipment, and asset movement through its geofencing, zoning, and tracking capabilities. SDCE Women in Supply Chain — Jennifer de Souza. This Supply & Demand Chain Executive award recognizes female supply chain leaders who are setting a foundation for women at all levels of a company’s supply chain network. With management responsibility for energy storage solutions as well as Raymond’s alternative energy initiatives, Jennifer de Souza, vice president of energy solutions, procurement, and leasing, is a passionate advocate for the productivity, profitability, and sustainability benefits offered by alternative energy solutions. “Continuing to mentor and educate individuals and companies about the benefits of alternative energy solutions,” she said, “will lead to a more efficient workforce and sustainable future.” Manufacturing Leadership Award — Greene, New York. The National Association of Manufacturers Manufacturing Leadership Council recognized Raymond’s Greene, New York, facility for its ongoing culture of continuous improvement. “The plant’s commitment to innovation and optimization continues to allow us to serve our customers better and provide them with innovative end-to-end intralogistics solutions,” said Tony Topencik, vice president of operations, quality, environmental health, and safety. Other awards and recognitions received by Raymond® products, initiatives, and personnel include: Food Logistics Rock Stars of the Supply Chain — Derrick Miller, regional sales manager SDCE Top Supply Chain Projects — Crossroads Community Services Inbound Logistics 75 Green Supply Chain Partners (list inclusion, G75) Plant Engineering Product of the Year, Bronze Award — iW.RTLS FSA Top Food Chain Technology (list inclusion) — The Raymond Corporation FSA Top Food Chain Provider (list inclusion) — The Raymond Corporation Food Logistics Top Software & Technology Providers — The Raymond Corporation International Forklift of the Year (finalist) — Raymond 8910 end rider pallet jack 2022 Central New York Business Journal Legends – The Raymond Corporation “Listening to our customers and helping them optimize their storage and distribution operations with innovative products and services is a core component of our company’s success,” Field said. “So while the most meaningful award we receive is the continued trust of our customers around the world, we’re immensely proud to have our products, our facilities, our people, and our commitment to innovation, quality, and service held up as examples for the industry.”
Bridger Howes recruits Jenny Eagle
Lifting industry PR company Bridger Howes Limited (BH) has named Jenny Eagle PR and communications manager Eagle, formerly editor of Hoist magazine, will join BH on 1 February. She becomes the business’s first major recruit, joining founding directors Mark Bridger and Richard Howes. She said: “Having served the industrial lifting sector as an editor, I grew attached to the products and people that make the sector such fun to cover. I am proud of the diversity of my editorial portfolio but leaped at the chance to embed myself further in the industry via BH’s book of clients. I have tremendous respect for Mark and Rich, and the work they do.” Howes said: “I admired what Jenny was able to achieve in such a short space of time as brand captain of Hoist. The title gave me my first editorship back in 2006 so there’s a nice synergy. Many of our clients already know her, and those that don’t will soon get that opportunity. She shares our passion for accurate, informative prose, and the lifting industry.” Founded in 2014, BH works with many businesses that manufacture, supply, and use lifting equipment all over the world. It is also a stakeholder in the annual Global Lifting Awareness Day, powered by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA). This landmark recruitment also comes at a time of ongoing diversification into other industry sectors. Eagle is a British journalist with 22 years of experience working for international publications including The Daily Mail, The Sunday Telegraph, The Sun, The Mirror, and The Press Association. Career highlights include working with the European Union as a host and facilitator for the EU Citizens Dialogues for the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 and writing the press brochure for the ‘Women Driving Innovation’ campaign for Tetra Pak. She has lived and worked in Montpellier, France for 10 years, writing for several online publications covering the food and beverage industry for William Reed Business Media, and more recently as editor of Hoist, owned by Progressive Media International (PMI). In this role, Eagle tripled the title’s following online and on social media by launching a video channel called Hoist Magazine TV (HMTV) and relaunching a periodical supplement, Dockside Lift & Move, covering all aspects of the onshore/offshore industry.
Toyota Material Handling announces organizational changes
Toyota Material Handling (TMH), the industry leader in material handling innovation, announces the promotion of Bill Byrd and Dan Kossow to director-level positions as part of a new strategic vision for the company’s organizational structure to further support and enhance operations and collaboration between corporate sales teams and its renowned nationwide TMH dealer network. “These promotions are a reflection of Toyota’s ongoing commitment to providing customers with world-class service and expertise to meet their unique needs and challenges,” said Jaksa Pejnovic, TMH Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “It is our experience that one of the best ways to successfully uphold such a commitment is through a culture of continuous improvement in how and what we do – or ‘kaizen’ as we call it. We have an opportunity to enhance our collaboration as a team. Adding these executives to our management team positions us to pursue TMH’s vision for the future by leveraging their combined skills and talents for the benefit of our customers.” As Director of Dealer Development, Byrd is charged with managing the company’s relationships with its industry-leading network of independent and equity dealers. Byrd, a 24-year industry veteran, has held several key roles since arriving at TMH in 2016, including his most recent position as Senior Sales Manager for National Accounts. In addition to his current responsibilities overseeing the company’s Heavy Duty Division, Kossow will assume Byrd’s former responsibilities in his new role as Director of National Accounts and Heavy Duty Sales. Kossow’s industry experience spans 24 years. He joined TMH in 2019 after the company’s acquisition of HOIST Liftruck.
Women In Trucking Association announces 2023 Content Advisory Council
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced its 2023 Content Advisory Council, a volunteer group comprised of executives or professionals who have vast knowledge and experience in transportation and logistics, as well as a passion for the mission of the association: to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize the obstacles they face. The goal of WIT’s Content Advisory Council is to provide guidance and counsel regarding relevant and meaningful content for WIT’s annual Accelerate! Conference & Expo, as well as various communication channels, such as its Redefining the Road magazine, weekly e-newsletter, and social media platforms. “It’s critical that WIT provides relevant, practical, useful information to our members and the industry at-large through our various communication channels,” said Brian Everett, group editorial director and publisher of Redefining the Road magazine and strategy advisor to WIT. “We rely heavily on this powerhouse group of industry experts to help guide, formulate and validate the content we produce and distribute.” The 2023 Women In Trucking Content Advisory Council is comprised of the following industry leaders: Melissa Addis, Producer, Commercial Underwriters Insurance Agency Niki Bolton, Chief Strategic Operations Officer, American Truck & Rail Audits Laura Duryea, Manager of Recruiting, Retention & Driver Development, Boyle Transportation Madeleine Frume, CEO, Koppur Trailer & Chassis Molly Gibson, Vice President of Sales Operations, CDLLife Vanessa Hernandez, Director of Carrier Resources, J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. Malaina Hudson, CPIM, Director, Supply Chain Systems, Hillebrand Jeana Hysell, Senior Safety Consultant, J.J. Keller & Associates Jerri Jarvis, Safety Analyst, Cheeseman Kesha Jones, Senior Director of HR, Total Transportation of Mississippi Kelly Kirkpatrick-Lee, Truck Audits Manager, American Truck & Rail Audits Rachel Kremm, Vehicle Programs Project Engineer, Kodiak Angelika Mangino, Driver Recruitment & Engagement Manager, Clean Harbors Mark Mariano, Director, SRS Distribution, Inc. Samantha McCracken, Strategic Operations Manager, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Josh Mecca, Director of Recruiting, American Central Transport Claire Mules, President, Assurance Resources, Inc. Martha Payne, Attorney, Benesch, Friedlander, Copland & Aronoff LLP Kristin Ridley, Marketing Communications Manager, Rihm Kenworth Amber Roy, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Triumph Business Capital Laura Sayers, Senior Director of Marketing, TRANSFLO The members of the 2023 Women In Trucking Content Advisory Council can be found online at https://www.womenintrucking.org/content-advisory-council
PTDA welcomes new member
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes a new distributor member. Nelson Electric Motors (Opelika, Ala.) Founded in 1968 in Alexander City, Ala., Nelson Electric Motor Service provides expert Electro-Mechanical Repair services to the Central Alabama region. In 2002 and 2013 it expanded operations to Opelika, Ala., and Sylacauga, Ala., respectively. The company specializes in Electro-Mechanical Repair, Preventative Maintenance, and Predictive Maintenance of electric motors, generators, gearsets, and pumps through its in-shop and field service. Nelson also offers full machining and millwork and new equipment sales. In 2022, Nelson Electric made a commitment to grow sales of bearing and power transmission items to its traditional customer base. “We believe in the value of personal relationships with both customers and industry leaders and joined PTDA to build those powerful relationships,” says John Langford, corporate buyer/bearing & power transmission sales.
Lauren Fiochetta joins Tompkins Robotics as Senior Marketing Manager
Tompkins Robotics, a globally focused provider of the robotic automation of distribution and fulfillment operations, has named Lauren Fiochetta to the role of Senior Marketing Manager. In this new role, she will develop and implement omnichannel marketing campaigns designed to attract and qualify customers across a wide range of industries, according to Tompkins Robotics President and CEO Mike Futch. “We are excited to welcome Lauren to the team at Tompkins Robotics at a time when the warehouse and retail automation industry is poised for dramatic growth,” said Futch. “She is a marketing powerhouse with extensive B2B experience and an existing track record of success in the logistics and robotic automation space.” Prior to joining Tompkins, she held marketing management roles for global manufacturing companies in the logistics, industrial materials, and beverage industries, directing data-driven marketing campaigns encompassing advertising, public relations, social media, and a variety of other digital marketing channels. Fiochetta graduated from Westminster College in Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
INFORM announces Justin Newell as Chief Executive Officer, INFORM North America
INFORM, a global software provider for AI-driven Digital Decision-Making optimizing business operations, headquartered in Aachen, Germany, announced the promotion of Justin Newell to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), INFORM North America. He succeeds INFORM North America founder and Chairman, Adrian Weiler, who will continue in his role as an ongoing advisor to the CEOs across all INFORM Group entities, as well as serving as a representative of the organization in leading industry associations and conferences. In addition to his new role as CEO of INFORM North America, Newell will retain his role as Chief Operating Officer, which he has held since January 2019, and as CEO emphasize profitable growth of INFORM’s business in North America by delivering INFORM’s Hybrid AI-based decision-making technologies. As CEO of INFORM North America, Newell will continue to focus on business development in North America with a primary emphasis on key sectors. These include: Automotive – Finished Vehicle Logistics and Intelligent Inbound Truck Supply Control as well as Time Slot Management; Aviation – Ground Handling and Workforce Optimization; Supply Chain – Inventory Optimization and Demand Planning; Logistics – Dispatch Optimization in Construction Materials, Returnable Container Management as well as Intermodal/Maritime/Yard Management Solutions; Financial Industry – Fraud Prevention and Risk Management; and Manufacturing –Production Planning. Additionally, he will continue his focus on developing the INFORM North American-based project delivery teams. In performing his role, Newell will continue to consult with Weiler and collaborate with the CEOs both in INFORM headquarters and across the other INFORM entities globally. In discussing his new appointment, Newell said, “I was fortunate to have been recruited by Adrian and to directly work with him over the past four years. His mentorship, guidance, and friendship have created a very rewarding atmosphere that has helped me contribute to the substantial growth of INFORM in North America. Adrian’s strategic vision and guidance will continue to be a resource as we continue to grow our revenue and overall capabilities in this very strategic market.” Newell continued, “I am looking forward to assuming my new responsibilities as CEO of INFORM North America. Over the past few years, and despite the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, climate change, and socio-economic developments, INFORM has advanced its mission and supported the increased profitability, process optimization, and crisis resilience for North American companies in diverse industries. Applying our Hybrid AI-based decision-making technologies, we also are enabling our customers to meet their sustainability goals by optimizing their operations and maximizing their vehicle, equipment, and human resources.” Newell came to INFORM after having successfully performed in senior-level roles with such leading brands as Reliable Carriers, Inc, Porsche Cars North America Inc., and Genuine Parts Company (NAPA). At that time, INFORM’s North American customer base was predominantly within the aviation industry, which it had been since 1992. Under the direction of Weiler, Newell’s role as COO was to focus on growing the Manufacturing Logistics (Automotive), Logistics (Maritime, Terminal, Intermodal, and Distribution Centers), and Fraud Prevention business. Newell added, “Over the past four years, the automotive and finished vehicle logistics area has grown immensely and is now INFORM’s second largest in revenue in North America following aviation. Our fraud prevention business is also on a trajectory for excellent growth opportunities as we have placed a large focus on strategic partnership alliances with companies such as Huron and will continue to pursue other valuable partners when doing so would complement our capabilities and target growth areas.” As evidence of its growth, INFORM recently entered contracts with leading companies such as AMPORTS, a leader in the global automotive service industry and one of the largest auto processors in North America; Norfork Southern’s Rossville and Austell terminals; VinFast, a leading manufacturer of smart electric vehicles (EVs); and Volkswagen Group of America, as well as a strategic partnership with the Huron Consulting Group, among others. Dr. Andreas Meyer, INFORM Group CEO noted that “INFORM has established a strategic global footprint with an international presence that includes our headquarters in Aachen, Germany and our subsidiary in Lisbon, Portugal; our South American subsidiaries in Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil; and our Asia-Pacific subsidiaries in Sydney, Australia, and Singapore, as well as our North American organization in Atlanta, Georgia. We have been very selective in establishing strong executives to lead our organization across our global network. As a result, we have been realizing steady growth and a loyal customer base that has experienced high value and return on their INFORM optimization software investments many times over. Our focus will continue to be one of internationalization as we realize there are many organizations that have yet to embrace INFORM’s Hybrid AI technology including Machine Learning, Fuzzy Logic, and Operations Research that clearly are needed to compete effectively in today’s marketplace.”
Jennifer Hedrick named incoming Women In Trucking Association CEO
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) recently announced Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, as the incoming president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the association. She will work closely with WIT’s board of directors and staff to oversee initiatives that support WIT’s mission to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by them. Hedrick has 17 years of association leadership experience and is an accredited executive by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). For five years she led the National Industrial Transportation League (NIT League) focusing on issues across highway, rail, and ocean freight transportation. In that role, she advocated on behalf of members to create efficiencies throughout the commercial freight transportation network. Hedrick began employment with WIT on Jan. 9 and will formally take on full leadership responsibilities on March 16. She assumes the role of Ellen Voie, CAE, who has been president and CEO since she founded WIT in 2007. “Through WIT’s mission we have created a community of 8,000 members to advance gender diversity in a male-populated industry,” said Voie. “I’m thrilled to have an association executive like Jennifer Hedrick who will continue to advance the critical mission of the association I started 16 years ago.” Initially, Hedrick will focus on becoming familiar with the members and key stakeholders of the association. According to Rachel Christensen, WIT chair and vice president of operations for J.B. Hunt Transport, Hedrick already has begun collaborating with WIT’s board of directors on future opportunities for the association during a strategy meeting last week in Dallas. “With Jennifer’s leadership, WIT will continue its central mission to advance the importance of gender diversity in transportation,” said Christensen.
Seeq recognizes its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year
Annual partner awards, honoring excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements, announced at Seeq Global Partner Symposium in Las Vegas Seeq Corporation, a manufacturer and industrial internet of things advanced analytics software, announced its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year. These partners have been selected for their excellence in providing value to customers, their continued investments in technical expertise with Seeq-certified employees and training professionals, and for creating awareness for Seeq through collaboration in marketing activities and events. Seeq advanced analytics SaaS software enables customers to rapidly find, share, and operationalize insights from process data stored on-premise or in the cloud. Seeq customers include companies in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, mining, food and beverage, and other process industries. Investors in Seeq include Insight Ventures, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Altira Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Cisco Investments. “In 2022, our global, diverse partner ecosystem empowered our shared customers to solve various advanced analytics use cases across process industries to support their top initiatives for sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce empowerment,” says Nikki Bishop, Chief Customer Officer, including global partnerships, at Seeq. “We are pleased to select six companies that set the standards for excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements as our 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year.” Resellers of the Year Americas Swan-Black is the Seeq 2022 Americas Partner of the Year. Swan-Black demonstrates consistent partner excellence with its Seeq-centric customer-success model, significant account expansions and wins, and the addition of Seeq-certified instructors to support Seeq Foundations Training in North America. Swan-Black has expertise across food and beverage, bio-nutrition, and industrial process-data infrastructure, with a focus on applying advanced analytics to improve business outcomes. Asia Pacific Nukon is the Seeq 2022 Asia Pacific Partner of the Year. As a third-year recipient of the award, Nukon doubled its Seeq business for a second consecutive year in 2022. With more than a dozen Seeq customers across food and beverage, mining, metals, and materials, utilities, and specialty manufacturing, Nukon delivers exceptional analytics support and insight across a broad spectrum of use cases. Asia Tridiagonal Solutions is the Seeq 2022 Asia Partner of the Year. Tridiagonal has played a pivotal role in supporting Seeq customers through their digital transformation journeys in Asia and throughout the world. With deep expertise in data science, advanced process control, and process manufacturing, Tridiagonal delivers a full suite of solutions and services that drive a return on investment for their customers across the process industries. EMEA IT Vizion is the Seeq 2022 EMEA Partner of the Year. IT Vizion was selected for its leadership and domain expertise in the oil and gas industry, which the company has leveraged to scale its Seeq customer base throughout 2022. Additionally, the company’s expertise and support for a variety of technologies for the oil and gas and chemicals industries led to several successful migrations of end users to Seeq. Latin America Vertix Technologies is the Seeq 2022 Latin America Partner of the Year. Vertix was selected for its commitment to growing Seeq’s presence in the LATAM region, including delivering high-quality training and implementation services to customers. The company provides a variety of digital solutions and services to support digital transformation journeys across the oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical, and pulp and paper industries. Service Partner of the Year BKO Services LLC is the Seeq 2022 Service Partner of the Year recipient. Supporting Seeq customers such as Marathon Oil, Suncor, TexGen, and Shell, BKO’s Seeq-certified partner analytics engineers provide a customer-centric approach, including hands-on analytics engineering support, that yields consistent and valuable customer outcomes. The company provides data engineering and machine learning services for the oil and gas, power, and other process manufacturing industries. Seeq’s global growth is fueled in large part by its partnerships and commitment to cloud-based computing. Seeq is available worldwide through a global partner network of cloud service providers and system integrators, which provides training and other value-added services in addition to resale support for Seeq in over 40 countries. Global Partner Symposium The 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year were announced at the 2023 Seeq Global Partner Symposium, held in Las Vegas from January 10-12, 2023. Themed Elevate, Seeq shared Partner Network program updates to enhance partner operations and enablement, led interactive sessions on the company’s unified go-to-market strategy to further accelerate its global growth, and provided networking opportunities with partners and Seeq executive leadership. Attendees heard directly from Seeq leaders, including CEO Dr. Lisa Graham and Chief Revenue Officer George Skaryak. “Our Partner Network is a core part of the Seeq ecosystem and key to our global growth,” says Skaryak. “The Global Partner Symposium is crafted to provide the strategic direction and collaborative dialogue required to continue delivering business value to our shared customers and positioning our partners for sustained success.” Amazon Web Services, Inc. was the exclusive sponsor of the 2023 Global Partner Symposium. Seeq has been a member of the AWS Partner Network and available in the AWS marketplace since 2019. As an AWS Industrial Software, Energy, and Life Sciences Competency Partner, Seeq supports many data storage services, including Amazon Redshift and S3, plus machine learning in SageMaker, Lookout for Equipment, and others. Partner Advisory Council The event also launched the Seeq Partner Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC will bring together a distinguished and diverse group of global partners to advise on best practices to help Seeq continue to deliver the highest possible value to its partners and customers. The strategic insights gathered from the PAC will directly influence Seeq’s product direction, partner programs, and customer adoption. The Seeq PAC currently consists of seven partners nominated on their tenure and proven commitment to working with Seeq and shared customers. The PAC membership will rotate on an annual basis. The 2023 members of the Seeq Partner Advisory Council include: Werusys – Köln, Germany Vertix Technologies – Lima, Peru Swan-Black – Brookfield, Wisconsin BKO Services – Houston, Texas IT Vizion – Corona, California Tridiagonal Solutions – Pune, India and San Antonio, Texas Nukon – Melbourne, Australia