Women In Trucking Association names Arnold as 2022 Driver of the Year
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced today Peggy Arnold, company driver at Yellow Corporation, as the winner of the third annual Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart. Arnold was among three finalists for the award. The other finalists include Francis Hernandez, a professional driver with Waste Management, Inc., and Courtney Ohlandt, a company driver for FedEx Freight. Arnold has been a company driver at Yellow Corporation for nearly 30 years. She received Yellow’s Million Mile Safe Driving Award with nearly 1.9 million accident-free miles. Arnold is proud to serve on Yellow’s leadership team, the Women’s Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group and is also part of the safety team. “Our safety team spends countless hours helping our fellow drivers prevent on the job injuries and with a goal to be accident-free. I am a part of our new driver’s training program and take my job straight to the heart. Every day I do my best to train and teach to the best of my ability,” she said. Arnold was named as a 2022 Top Women to Watch in Transportation by WIT, American Trucking Associations America’s Road Team Captains Finalist 2022, Yellow’s Road to Excellence Award 2021, and Certified Safety Trainer 2021. The announcement was made during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event, hosted by WIT at the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY. The event honors female commercial drivers for their efforts and successes in the trucking industry. “Peggy is the first driver of the year we’ve been able to honor in person and we are truly thrilled to meet her and celebrate this accomplishment with her,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. Sponsored by Walmart, the annual award was established to promote the achievements of female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively enhancing the public image of the trucking industry. “At Walmart, we believe we can best help our associates, customers and the communities we serve to live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing diversity – our unique experiences, identities, ideas, and opinions while being inclusive of all people,” said Michael Del Rosario, general transportation manager, Walmart. “It is in this same spirit that we are honored to sponsor WIT’s Driver of the year award, recognizing an outstanding driver who is making a positive impact in the Transportation industry. We congratulate Peggy and each of the finalists for their examples of safety and service.” Members of the judging panel were: Tricia Tullis, general transportation manager, Walmart Transportation; Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.; Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO.
ALL Crane promotes two
Crane rental leader names new Ohio Sales Manager and GM of ALT Sales, says goodbye to retiring longtime legend A well-deserved retirement is prompting a new round of promotions from within the ALL Family of Companies, which is known for the remarkable stability of its leadership team. Josh Bacci has been named the new Ohio Sales Manager for ALL Erection & Sales Corp. Bacci’s name is already well known to ALL customers, as he previously served as general manager of ALT Sales Corp., the boom truck arm of ALL. Bacci began his career with the ALL Family of Companies in 2005 and has served in many roles in operations and sales. In his new role, Bacci will oversee sales teams in Cleveland (including the company’s flagship yard), Columbus, and Jeffers’ Toledo and Lima branches. He will continue to work with branch leaders and sales teams to continue the company’s legacy of outstanding customer service. Bacci’s promotion follows the retirement of ALL legend Norm Rados. Rados started with ALL in 1978, first as an oiler and then as an operator, working primarily on a contract basis with local steel mills. Norm combined years in the seat and exacting lift planning with a natural business sense and an easy-going way of forging relationships. This made him an ideal candidate to tap for, first, a local rental/sales specialist position in 1994, and soon after, as the company’s first dedicated sales manager. Bacci will work alongside Rados through March to ensure a seamless transition. “The career that Norm carved out with ALL speaks for itself,” said Michael L. Liptak, CEO and president of ALL. “He has brought clear vision and a steady hand to his work — work that has helped our company thrive. We wish him well in retirement and know the position is in good hands with Josh Bacci.” Bacci’s promotion, of course, creates a vacancy at ALT. The company is proud to announce Josh Doyle has been promoted to general manager at ALT Sales Corp. Doyle is a seasoned sales executive with experience spanning several industries including information technology and the service industry along with heavy equipment sales. He has been in sales with ALL since 2019. With his sales background and proven track record, he is a worthy successor to lead ALT Sales.
DENSO Engineer wins STEP AHEAD Award for her manufacturing excellence
Monique Radersma was honored for her impactful career at DENSO and efforts to increase women’s access to STEM, manufacturing The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, annually honors women with STEP Ahead Awards for their positive contributions to manufacturing and their communities Radersma, who recently retired, among 130 to be recognized at April 28 gala in Washington, D.C. DENSO prioritizes creating inclusive work environments and supporting employees of all backgrounds, qualities that inspire continuous innovation Monique Radersma, a former director of Engineering at DENSO’s thermal manufacturing facility in Guelph, Ontario, has won a STEP Ahead Award from The Manufacturing Institute. The STEP Ahead Awards annually honors women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite. “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside an exceptional group of women committed to making an impact in their companies and communities,” said Radersma. “I’m proud of what I accomplished in my 35-plus years in the automotive industry, with over 15 of those at DENSO, and am excited to use the skills I’ve built in that time to continue to encourage women to pursue technical fields.” Radersma, who retired at the end of last year, began her career at DENSO in 2005. She soon took roles of increasing responsibility and was later promoted to director of Engineering. In this position, she developed a quality management system that helped secure business with a major North American automaker, generating millions in sales. Radersma also helped pioneer the Women in Engineering business resource group at DENSO’s Guelph location and developed programs to grow female team members’ skills. Outside of work, Radersma has and continues to advocate for women in STEM, speaking at conferences, mentoring students, and supporting education initiatives that encourage young women to explore the sciences. “Monique entered engineering when not many women were in the profession,” said Denise Carlson, vice president of DENSO’s North America Production Innovation Center and executive lead for Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). “Her skills, her leadership, and her support of others throughout her career have not only inspired colleagues, but also young women who will lead our industry in the future.” In 2021, Carlson earned a STEP Ahead Award for her contributions to manufacturing and D&I. Now entering its 10th year, the STEP Ahead Awards have celebrated and supported the accomplishments of more than 1,000 outstanding women in manufacturing. On April 28, The Manufacturing Institute – the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers – will recognize Radersma along with 130 other women at a gala event in Washington, D.C. “The 2022 STEP Ahead Honorees and Emerging Leader awardees are excellent representatives of the exciting opportunities available in manufacturing,” said Denise Rutherford, 2022 STEP Ahead chair. “These remarkable women and the leadership they show help inspire the next generation of female leaders to consider careers in manufacturing.”
Numina Group & Core eBusiness Solutions announce new strategic alliance
Core eBusiness Solutions, a developer and solution provider for 3PL, B2B, and E-Com Warehouse Management Software, announced a strategic alliance with The Numina Group. Numina Group, headquartered in Woodridge, IL, is a top-tier warehouse designer and integrator of order fulfillment automation technologies focused on reducing labor and increasing distribution productivity. Through this alliance, both Core and Numina are primed to offer their customers an end-to-end first-class combination of advanced Warehouse Management Software (WMS) and Warehouse Automation integrated as a single solution, scalable to support a business with single or multiple warehouse operations. In today’s tight labor environment, lean, efficient, low-touch technologies such as Autonomous Mobile Robots, AMRs, Goods to Person (G2P) and pick by voice play a critical role in lowering manual labor requirements to meet same-day eCommerce and B2B customer order fulfillment demand. Numina-Core’s software-driven solutions are focused on cutting labor costs while optimizing and accelerating productivity to meet customers’ demands for faster, accurate on-time delivery. Core’s Cloud-based WMS includes the required tools to manage the increasing complexity of 3PL, retail, medical, and B2B distribution centers, with software modules that support Receipt and Put-away, Transfers, Replenishment, Stock Movement, Inventory Transactions, QA Hold and Releases, 3PL Billing and a Customer’s Portal to access and view their specific Warehouse Inventory and customers order shipment status. Additionally, Core’s WMS includes a full feature pick, pack, and ship suite supporting barcode product and lot tracking, using a wide array of mobile wearable computers, tablets, or smartphone devices to manage to pick and view operational performance. Numina’s Real-time Distribution Software (RDS™) Warehouse Execution and Control Software, is a full suite of predeveloped modules, including order release optimization for managing the latest generation Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMRs) driven Goods to Person (G2P), and Voice and Pick to Light Systems with automated pack and ship conveyor systems. Numina Group recognizes the increasing role and economic advantages of deploying robots in streamlining warehouse operations. Numina’s RDS™ Batchbot software application module fully synchronizes people and AMRs and G2P Systems picking and packing processes. The solution unites pick, pack, and ship operations throughout the DC to dramatically increase productivity and cut labor costs. “Our strategy has always been to provide our customers with the right blend of technologies to operate a more competitive and efficient supply chain. We are proud to partner with the Numina Group. With our alliance and Numina’s wide array of Warehouse Automation Systems and their Robotics Warehouse Technologies, we can support our customer’s needs to add technologies that maximize productivity” explained Robert Schilt President Core eBusiness Solutions. “Core eBusiness Solutions has been a pioneer in the Supply Chain Industry developing and distributing over the past 19 years 3PL WMS software systems. Our customers are benefiting from the array of Warehouse Management Software solutions that are an inherent part of Core’s WMS system. Our objective has always been to stay at the forefront of new developments in the warehouse supply sector. Numina and Core joining together are now primed to bring to the industry a powerful group of new and advanced warehouse technologies.” said Dan Hanrahan President of the Numina Group.
Alta Equipment Group expands Nikola Dealer Network to Arizona
Alta Equipment Group Inc. (“Alta”), a provider of construction and material handling equipment, has announced that it has been awarded the Arizona sales and service territory for Nikola Corporation (“Nikola”), a global provider in zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure solutions. This agreement further expands Alta’s dealer territory with Nikola beyond the NY, NJ, eastern PA, and New England markets, as announced in August of 2021, and will replace Empire Transport in Arizona. With over 37 years of experience, Alta is well-established in the midwest and the northeast with over 60 dealership locations supporting other OEMs. With a proven track record of successful growth, Alta has a clear vision for the potential of the Nikola products (i.e., battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, mobile charging trailers, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, etc.), to grow their eMobility vertical by fulfilling its commitment to clean technologies. “We are excited to be granted this new territory as it gives us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with Nikola, especially given their headquarters and US manufacturing facility is in Arizona,” said Ryan Greenawalt, Chief Executive Officer of Alta. “It is also significant because we believe Arizona is a market prime for electric vehicle growth.” The first Nikola product Alta will sell is the Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV). With an expected range of up to 350 miles, the Tre BEV has a cabover design ideal for metro-regional applications because of improved visibility and maneuverability. “As Nikola expands its BEV production in 2022 from our Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility, a great hometown dealer to sell and service our products is incredibly valuable,” said Pablo Koziner, President of Nikola Energy and Commercial. “Alta continues to be committed to our shared vision and is driven to grow this territory as yet another step towards a zero-emissions future. We are grateful for Alta’s enthusiasm and passion for our products and our partnership.”
Yale celebrates 2021 Dealer of Excellence Award winners
Yale Materials Handling Corporation announces winners of the 2021 Dealer of Excellence award, the company’s top honor for members of the Yale® dealer network. The award recognizes dealers for developing and maintaining the pillars of highly successful materials handling organization, including expert industry knowledge and dedication to customer support. “Our dealer network is integral in providing the expert knowledge and support that drives customer satisfaction and attracts new business while providing a competitive advantage,” says Bob Sattler, Vice President of Dealer Business Development. “Every year, the Dealer of Excellence recipients demonstrate their willingness to enhance capabilities and commitment to the safety and well-being of their associates, while meeting the increasingly demanding recognition criteria.” 2021 Dealer of Excellence Recipients Alta Material Handling – Eastern Michigan Alta Material Handling – New England Central Alta Material Handling – Western Michigan Berry Material Handling Black Equipment – North Burns Equipment Pittsburgh Eastern Lift Truck – Baltimore/DC/DE Eastern Lift Truck – Philadelphia/South NJ Fairchild Equipment – WI North Gregory Poole – Carolinas Insley-McEntee LiftOne – North LiftOne – West M&G Material Handling Medley Material Handling – West MH Equipment – Iowa MH Equipment – Ohio North Papé – Southern CA – North Riekes Equipment – Legacy Wheeler Material Handling – Carolinas Wheeler Material Handling – Tennessee Award-winning dealers meet rigorous standards in areas such as service, training, customer satisfaction, new unit sales, and general management tactics. These measures are updated annually to reflect evolving customer expectations and industry standards.
John Lynch joins Saf-T-Gard as Senior Director of Business Development
Saf-T-Gard International, Inc., a full-line, quality-oriented supplier of personal protective equipment for more than eight decades, has stacked its safety sales deck even higher with the addition of John Lynch as the company’s Senior Director of Business Development. Lynch has an extensive background in safety sales and leadership with a heavy focus on electrical safety. “We are thrilled to welcome John Lynch to Saf-T-Gard,” said Richard Rivkin, Saf‑T-Gard CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Electrical safety is a particular strength of Saf-T-Gard as its Voltgard division operates as an offsite NAIL4PET-accredited test lab for numerous utilities, telecom companies, contractors, municipalities, and industrial facilities nationwide. John’s previous working relationship with Saf-T-Gard and knowledge of the market make him the perfect fit for the role as there is a large potential for growth into new categories within our current customer base as well as several opportunities to capture new business.” “I am extremely excited and grateful to have joined Saf-T-Gard International in a new business development role,” said John Lynch. “Saf-T-Gard International is a successful 4th generation family business with a solid foundation, and I am confident that I can utilize my experience, industry knowledge, and customer/supplier relationships to realize continued future success. I look forward to growing together with the entire Saf-T-Gard team.”
B&B Attachments appoints Parts Manager
B&B Attachments has appointed Marie Ridley as Parts Manager. Marie began her professional career in Forklift Engineering and Mechanical Maintenance. She comes to B&B with more than 20 years of aftermarket experience within the industry and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise. As Parts Manager, Marie is responsible for managing customer parts inquiries and ensuring prices and availability information is provided quickly and accurately. Marie will follow through with every order that is placed and guarantee that it is expedited quickly and efficiently. As manager of the parts department, Marie’s overall aim is to enhance the customer experience. Marie is available to deal with any customer-related issues in this area. “We are delighted to have Marie on board at B&B. Her experience and expertise will help us expand our relationships and develop our parts offering to ensure our customers’ needs are being met. Her extensive knowledge of inventory, attachments, and knowledge of B&B’s products, together with her combined experience and commitment to B&B’s customers makes her the ideal choice for the position.” Comments Craig Lawson, Service Manager at B&B Attachments.
Hyster recognizes highest performing dealers of 2021
The 2021 Dealer of Distinction award goes to 29 top-performing Hyster® dealers, recognizing their strong commitment to materials handling excellence and customer satisfaction. “Hyster dealerships and their associates have a thorough understanding of the customer’s application and their business needs,” says Bob Sattler, Vice President, Dealer Business Development. “These dealers are dedicated to helping their customers increase productivity while managing costs in the pursuit of excellence. We’re delighted to honor their outstanding achievement as Dealers of Distinction and extremely fortunate to have them represent the Hyster brand.” Dealer of Distinction recipients is evaluated on a variety of business practice and performance criteria, updated annually to account for changing customer and industry demands. 2021 Dealer of Distinction Recipients Alta Material Handling – New England North Berry Material Handling Bohl Equipment Burns Industrial Equipment – Pittsburgh Deep South Equipment – Legacy Deep South Equipment – OK Eastern Lift Truck – Baltimore/DC/DE Fairchild Equipment – WI South Gregory Poole – Carolinas Gregory Poole – Virginia LiftOne – North LiftOne – South LiftOne – West Medley Material Handling – East MH Equipment – Great Plains MH Equipment – Illinois MH Equipment – Indianapolis MH Equipment – Iowa MH Equipment – Kentuckiana MH Equipment – Ohio South Papé – Central Washington Papé – Eugene Papé – Portland Papé – Seattle Papé – Southern CA – South Papé – Spokane Briggs Equipment S.A. de C.V. TATTERSALL Maquinarias Unimaq SA
H&E opens new branch in Fairburn, GA
Effective February 28, 2022, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its new Fairburn rental branch. It is the company’s fourth Atlanta-area facility and its sixth in the state of Georgia. The branch is located at 7735 Bishop Road, Building B, Fairburn, GA 30213-2602, phone 770-795-4200. The 9,692-square-foot facility sits on 4.5-acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop with four service bays. It is capable of handling a variety of construction and general industrial equipment for customers in the southwest metro Atlanta area. “H&E has responded to the strong Atlanta construction market by recently opening a branch north of the city and now Fairburn to the south, extending our reach to customers all around the Atlanta area. This expansion creates a cluster approach for equipment availability. With nearby access to I-85, our new location allows us to respond to our customers quickly and efficiently,” says Director of Operations Mike Allen. “The projected construction market forecast of nearly $60 billion over the next five years means that we are optimally positioned to provide the needed equipment to a variety of job sites. Surface infrastructure and multifamily construction projects are strong, and we are moving in new rental machinery to prepare to meet the needs of customers working all around the area.” The Fairburn branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, TAG, Taylor, Towmaster Trailers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Clay Thelen is Appointed as Chief Financial Officer at NAI
NAI, a leading designer and manufacturer of custom interconnect solutions which deliver power and signals to monitor data, connect people and keep equipment operating, has announced the appointment of Clay Thelen to the position of Chief Financial Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, Clay will lead the Finance, Accounting, IT, and Human Resources operations globally. He brings valuable and extensive experience in the areas of acquisitions, capital markets, accounting, and financial planning and analysis, upon which he will draw to support NAI’s aggressive growth plans. Leveraging NAI’s partnerships, Clay will provide significant focus on external growth through acquisitions and will be a key liaison to all stakeholders. Clay has held financial leadership positions throughout his career. Prior to joining NAI, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Agree Realty Corporation, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, and at AJ Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Additionally, Clay held senior positions at Strategic Hotels and Resorts, an owner and operator of hospitality real estate. Clay began his career at Ernst & Young, LLP and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Clay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in Accounting from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. “We are excited to welcome Clay to the Strategic Leadership Team as NAI’s CFO. His solid background and deep capabilities provide a strong enhancement to our team. He is a key addition to support our continued growth, both organically and through acquisitions. Clay is the right partner to add given our continued growth and momentum,” stated Jon Jensen, President and CEO of NAI. Clay succeeds George Walter, who announced his retirement as part of a planned transition. Jensen noted, “I want to thank George for his years of service to NAI. George joined NAI in 2017 and his contributions are innumerable. George was instrumental in the selection and transition with Clay and we wish him and his family all the very best.” For more information, visit NAI. https://www.nai-group.com/
Kadant Appoints Rebecca Martinez O’Mara to its Board of Directors
Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI), a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems, today announced the expansion of the board of directors from six to seven directors and the appointment of Rebecca Martinez O’Mara to its board of directors effective May 1, 2022. Ms. O’Mara was appointed to the class of directors the term for which expires at Kadant’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. Ms. O’Mara served as the president of industrial services for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Fortune 500 manufacturer of industrial tools and household hardware. She was previously vice president of services and solutions at Grundfos Holdings A/S, a global pump manufacturer, and prior to that was vice president of marketing, customer service and aftermarket at Sullair, LLC, a global industrial air compressor manufacturer. Ms. O’Mara is a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and is also a Chicago United Business Leaders of Color Honoree. “I am pleased to welcome Rebecca to our board of directors,” said Jonathan Painter, chairman of the board of directors of Kadant Inc. “Kadant has a longstanding commitment to strong corporate governance and will benefit from Rebecca’s executive operational experience in industrial manufacturing. Her experiences in organizational management and sustainability initiatives will provide an important perspective, and I look forward to the contributions she will make to Kadant.” Separately, Dr. William P. Tully, a director at Kadant since 2010, notified the board of directors that he will resign as a director effective January 1, 2023, at which time Kadant expects its board of directors will reduce the size of the board from seven to six members. Jeffrey L. Powell, president and chief executive officer of Kadant Inc., commented, “I want to thank Bill for his 12 years of service as a director at Kadant. His many contributions and valuable insights will be missed, and we wish him all the best in his retirement from the board.” About Kadant Kadant is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing. The Company’s products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 2,900 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com. Safe Harbor Statement The following constitutes a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about our customers, products, technologies, and markets. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Kadant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These include risks and uncertainties relating to adverse changes in global and local economic conditions; the variability and difficulty in accurately predicting revenues from large capital equipment and systems projects; health epidemics; our acquisition strategy; levels of residential construction activity; reductions by our wood processing customers of their capital spending or production of oriented strand board; changes to the global timber supply; development and use of digital media; cyclical economic conditions affecting the global mining industry; demand for coal, including economic and environmental risks associated with coal; failure of our information systems or breaches of data security and cybertheft; implementation of our internal growth strategy; supply chain constraints, inflationary pressure, price increases and shortages in raw materials; competition; changes in our tax provision or exposure to additional tax liabilities; our ability to successfully manage our manufacturing operations; disruption in production; future restructurings; loss of key personnel and effective succession planning; protection of intellectual property; climate change; adequacy of our insurance coverage; global operations; policies of the Chinese government; the variability and uncertainties in sales of capital equipment in China; currency fluctuations; economic conditions and regulatory changes caused by the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; changes to government regulations and policies around the world; compliance with government regulations and policies and compliance with laws; environmental laws and regulations; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations impacting the mining industry; our debt obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement and note purchase agreement; substitution of an alternative index for LIBOR; soundness of financial institutions; fluctuations in our share price; and anti-takeover provisions.
DESTACO’s Cynthia Wells Named to Diversity IMPACT 50 List
DESTACO is excited and pleased to announce that Cynthia Wells, the company’s Vice President, Global Human Resources, has been chosen as one of this year’s honorees in Career Mastered magazine’s “2022 Women’s Leadership Diversity IMPACT 50.” This annual list highlights the achievements of leading women changemakers in Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace. “I am so incredibly humbled and honored to be among an elite group of women being named to Career Mastered magazine’s Diversity IMPACT 50 list,” said Wells. “It’s great to be recognized for my achievements in this important area and I’d like to thank Career Mastered magazine for this honor, and add my congratulations to all of the other honorees on their tremendous accomplishments.” Wells was selected for this honor by a committee consisting of Career Mastered’s editors, advisory board and strategic partners. This group compiled and assessed a national list of candidates based on their contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion over the past year, per the theme of “Engage: Creating the Possibilities for the Future.” “We have assembled an elite group of women who are recognized for their executive leadership, commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with their remarkable impact on the world,” said Dr. Lisa Lindsay Wicker, CEO and Publisher of Career Mastered magazine. The Diversity IMPACT 50 honorees will be recognized during the Career Mastered National Women’s History Leadership Diversity Summit & Awards event, which will be held on March 22 and 23 in Charlotte, NC. To learn more about any of DESTACO’s high-performance automation, workholding or remote-handling solutions, please visit destaco.com or call (888) DESTACO (888-337-8226). About DESTACO DESTACO, a Dover Corporation company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding and remote-handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end-markets, including the automotive, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, industrial and nuclear sectors.
Tasha Higgins to oversee a Port of Long Beach engineering division
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday approved the appointment of Tasha Higgins to lead the Program Management Division at the Port of Long Beach. The Program Management Division, part of the Port’s Engineering Services Bureau, oversees improvements to waterways, wharfs, terminals, railroads, bridges, roadways and utilities. Higgins started at the Port of Long Beach in October 2020 as Assistant Director of Program Management. She has made a significant impact to the division’s implementation of quantitative risk assessments and helped to improve small business participation on contracts within the Engineering Services Bureau. Prior to joining the Port, Higgins had worked since 1993 on various transportation improvement programs for agencies including Long Beach Transit, Los Angeles World Airports, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the California Department of Transportation, in addition to privately held consulting companies. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Cromwell School of Business at Biola University and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. She is a board-certified civil engineer with the state of California and a certified Project Management Professional. The appointment of Higgins is effective March 26, 2022. The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. As the second-busiest container seaport in the United States, the Port handles trade valued at more than $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million trade-related jobs across the nation, including 575,000 in Southern California.
Autonomous Mobile Robot provider recognized for transforming the global supply chain with Intelligent Automation Solutions
Seegrid Corporation, the provider in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022, placing #4 globally in the robotics category. The publication assembles the annual list to honor businesses that are thriving in today’s ever-changing world and making the biggest impact on their industries and culture. Serving the world’s largest manufacturing, e-commerce, and logistics brands, Seegrid was recognized by Fast Company for its industry-defining approach to delivering complete, connected material handling automation solutions. Seegrid’s innovative autonomy technology, Seegrid IQ, fuses data from cameras, LiDAR, and machine learning models with the company’s proprietary 3D computer vision system. This proprietary technology collects a high density of information, then prioritizes and filters the data to enable mobile robots with a human-like understanding of industrial environments. Seegrid IQ enables Seegrid Palion™ AMR models to safely move thousands of pounds of material while working collaboratively alongside humans. “I am incredibly proud of Seegrid’s collective ability to solve complex material handling challenges,” said Jim Rock, Chief Executive Officer at Seegrid. “We’re committed to delivering mobile automation solutions that safely bring transformational change to the world’s supply chain.” Fast Company’s editors sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. In the last year, Seegrid introduced three new AMR models, launched Fleet Geek™ analytics software, and invested millions into new equipment and tools to help drive its research and development initiatives. Seegrid earned recognition as the #1 AMR provider in the US and #1 market leader in tow tractor AMRs worldwide from Interact Analysis, an international market research authority for the supply chain automation industry. The company’s Palion AMR fleet has driven seven million autonomous miles in customer production environments without a single safety incident. Fast Company selects businesses who are creating the future today with some of the most inspiring accomplishments of the 21st century. Of this same mindset, Seegrid continuously advances its breakthrough robotics technology pioneered by world-renowned roboticist Dr. Hans Moravec, the company’s founder and Chief Roboticist. Blue Labs, a dedicated in-house research group of world-class automation experts, many with Ph.D. level expertise in robotics and computer vision systems, is solely focused on the rapid advancement of mobile automation technologies. One such advancement includes the company’s first autonomous lift truck, Seegrid Palion Lift AMR, set to be unveiled this month at MODEX, the largest manufacturing, and supply chain trade event. As part of its commitment to ensuring all customers realize the full benefits of automation, Seegrid offers its customers options to purchase the equipment outright, as well as various leasing and subscription models. “The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains, or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky.
Yellow’s Peggy Arnold named finalist for Women in Trucking’s “Driver of the Year”
Peggy Arnold, a company driver for Yellow Corporation for nearly 30 years, is one of three finalists for the 2022 Driver of the Year award, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced this week. The third annual award recognizes outstanding female professional drivers who are industry leaders in safety standards and service, while also enhancing the trucking profession’s public image. The award winner will be announced on March 25 during WIT’s “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” event at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. Arnold will attend the event. “It’s always exciting to receive recognition from Women in Trucking, and this is a first-class accomplishment for Peggy,” said Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow. “We are so proud of her and grateful for the way she represents our company every day.” Based in Nashville, Tenn., Arnold has earned Yellow’s Million Mile driver award, having logged nearly 1.9 million accident-free miles as of December 2021. She has been named among WIT’s 2022 Top Women to Watch and has also been named as an America’s Road Team Captain finalist for 2022 by the American Trucking Associations. At Yellow, Arnold serves on the company’s safety team and on the Women’s Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group. Last year, she received Yellow’s Road to Excellence Award and is a certified safety trainer. “Our safety team spends countless hours helping our fellow drivers prevent on-the-job injuries, with a goal to be accident-free,” Arnold said. “I am a part of our new driver’s training program and take my job straight to the heart. Every day I do my best to train and teach to the best of my ability… I desperately want them to remember a positive experience and know that the team spirit is alive and well, so that they, too, can someday pay it forward.” Tamara Jalving, vice president for safety at Yellow, said Arnold trains new and existing drivers on collision avoidance, injury prevention techniques, terminal safety practices, and more. “She brings her passion every day to everyone she meets. I personally could not be prouder to have her represent our industry and women in trucking,” Jalving said. This is the third time that WIT will name a Driver of the Year and the first time that a Yellow driver has been a finalist. The judging panel for the 2022 award includes Tricia Tullis, general transportation manager for Walmart Transportation, Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant for J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., and Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “Each year, we become more amazed at both the quality and the quantity of drivers nominated for this prestigious award,” Voie said.
Sunlight Group adds further international experience to its Board of Directors
Gordon Riske appointed Chairman of Sunlight Group’s new Board of Directors, as independent Non-Executive Director (iNED). Michel Govaert joins the board as iNED and head of the Audit Committee. Dr. Peter Lamp to also join the BoD in May 2022 as iNED and head of the newly established Technology and Innovation Committee. Changes to the company’s corporate governance reflect its ambition to pursue strategic growth opportunities and become a global leader in the energy storage market. Global technology company Sunlight Group Energy Storage Systems (Sunlight Group) appoints its new Board of Directors and names Gordon Riske as Chairman and independent Non-Executive Director (iNED). Also joining the board as iNEDs are Michel Govaert, who will also head the company’s Audit Committee, and Dr. Peter Lamp, who will head the newly established Technology and Innovation Committee. Gordon Riske led KION Group AG for 14 years as CEO and is the incumbent CEO of GRBR Services. He brings decades of professional experience in management and business administration, as well as a wealth of expertise in automation, digitalization, and high-performance energy systems to the organization. His in-depth knowledge of OEMs will assist Sunlight Group to further broaden its activities in its respective sector. As Chairman of Sunlight Group’s new BoD, he stated: “Sunlight Group is a uniquely innovative company with a clear long-term strategy to provide clean energy storage systems to its customers around the world. I am looking forward to working with the management team and the entire Board of Directors on this exciting journey.” Michel Govaert, current Non-Executive Director and former Group CFO at AOC & ChemicaInvest, started his career at Philips Electronics and has served as partner at Alvarez & Marsal. He is a seasoned executive and expert in finance, development of action-oriented strategies, operational and financial result improvement, and M&As. His experience will be invaluable in Sunlight Group’s ongoing corporate transformation to become a global technology company, as well as the proceedings of the Audit Committee that he will be heading. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am looking forward to working together with the leadership team and board on the realization of Sunlight’s strategic ambitions, encompassing significant organic and inorganic growth. Combining this growth agenda with a model of operational excellence and translating this into a path of sustainable results and long-term value creation”. As of May 2022, Dr. Peter Lamp, Head of the BMW Group Battery Cell Technology and the associated worldwide R&D network, will also be joining Sunlight’s new Board of Directors. Dr. Lamp has over 30 years of experience in cutting-edge R&D work within the energy sector, which will inspire and lead Sunlight Group’s new Technology and Innovation Committee that he will be heading. Regarding his new role, he commented: “I am honored to be appointed as iNED to the Sunlight Group’s Board of Directors and am looking forward to contributing to the future growth of the company”. The new Chairman and members will collaborate with the existing members of Sunlight Group’s BoD, Lampros Bisalas, CEO and Executive Board Director; Rouben Bourlas, Non-Executive Director; and George Tsourapas, independent Non-Executive Director with over 30 years of professional experience at Procter & Gamble, where he served as President of Global Home Care and Professional Products and member of the company’s Global Executive Leadership Council. The new BoD will serve a five-year term until 2027. Lampros Bisalas, Sunlight Group’s CEO, noted on the composition of the new BoD: “Gordon, Michel and Peter joining our Board of Directors is a great milestone for Sunlight Group. We’re thrilled to welcome them aboard and look forward to learning from their insights and extensive experience. They all have a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence which they’ll implement in line with Sunlight’s strategic objectives. I would also like to thank our existing board members, Robby and George, for helping Sunlight reach this excellent position and for their ongoing support. The new board signals our ambition to expand our successful course and become a true global leader within the energy storage sector.” Changes to Sunlight Group’s corporate governance reflect the organization’s global ambition to pursue strategic growth opportunities, following the company’s rapid development in recent years and plans for further growth. In 2021, the company announced the initial rollout of its diverse €560m five-year investment plan to expand the capacity of both lead-acid and lithium-ion energy storage products. Investments include upgrades to the company’s facilities in the USA, Italy, and Greece. They will allow Sunlight’s main manufacturing unit in Xanthi to become the largest in the world for industrial, motive, lead-acid batteries, while also demonstrating the company’s commitment to lithium-ion technologies. To find out more about Sunlight Group Energy Storage Systems, please visit: www.systems-sunlight.com
Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Murray elected Chairman, National Cargo Bureau
Canaveral Port Authority CEO and Port Director Capt. John W. Murray was elected Chairman of the Board of the National Cargo Bureau, Inc. (NCB) during the organization’s 71st Annual Meeting of Directors held this week. Capt. Murray will serve two, one-year terms as NCB’s Board Chairman replacing Robert C. Gallagher, whose current term as Director expires this month. Other officers elected to the Board include Sean M. Dalton, as Deputy Chairman of the Board, and Philip H. Greene, Jr., as Treasurer. Capt. Murray has been a member of the National Cargo Bureau since 1997. He most recently served as Deputy Chairman of the Board, as well as Chairman of the NCB’s Executive Committee. The National Cargo Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in May 1952. The Bureau was created by a group of marine underwriters and the U.S. Coast Guard to aid the Coast Guard in discharging its responsibilities under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea. The NCB acts with and enforces the regulations of the Coast Guard and provides a variety of services including surveying and certifying the secure loading and stowage of cargo and performing vessel safety inspections and surveys to ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and/or International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code regulations. By assignment and under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard, compliance certificates issued by National Cargo Bureau, Inc. may be accepted as prima facie evidence of compliance with the provisions of the Dangerous Cargo Act and the Rules and Regulations for Bulk Grain Cargo. The National Cargo Bureau, Inc. operates on a nationwide basis and is a continuation and amplification on a broader base of inspection services formerly performed by the Board of Underwriters of New York and the Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. Headquartered in New York City, the NCB has offices throughout the United States. In June 2018 National Cargo Bureau acquired Exis Technologies, the leading supplier of IT compliance systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport. With over 35 years of experience supporting major shipping lines, ferry operators, port and terminals, logistics operators, freight forwarders, government, and regulatory organizations worldwide, the Exis acquisition expanded the NCB’s mission internationally.
Sunbelt Rentals acquires Illinois Truck & Equipment and Southern California’s Toolshed Rentals
Sunbelt Rentals recently acquired Illinois Truck & Equipment, Morris, Ill., and Toolshed Rentals, Escondido, Calif. Illinois Truck & Equipment rents a broad range of equipment ranging from skid-steer loaders and reach forklifts up to larger excavators, wheel loaders, on- and off-road trucks, and larger earthmoving equipment. Main ITE product lines include Kobelco excavators, Hitachi wheel loaders, Bell articulated off-road dump trucks, JLG man lifts, Skytrak telehandlers, New Holland Construction, Morooka track carriers, Broce brooms, Allied Construction Products, and others. The acquisition of Toolshed Rentals enhances Sunbelt’s strength in the heavy earthmoving market in San Diego County. Toolshed is a general rental business that also had a division that rents larger dirt-moving equipment such as excavators and dozers. Toolshed was owned by members of the Hawthorne family, relatives of the founding family of Hawthorne Cat.
Daliborka Riberio joins JLG® Product Management team
Named Director of the company’s telehandler product line JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, is pleased to announce Daliborka (Dali) Ribeiro as the director of product management for JLG® and SkyTrak® telehandlers, including the company’s latest rotating and agricultural models. In this role, Ribeiro will lead the multi-generation product plan and drive the direction and implementation of its telehandler go-to-market strategy. Ribeiro and her parents moved from the former Yugoslavia to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1998 where she completed high school and went on to study at Penn State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After graduation, she followed in her father’s footsteps and joined JLG in 2005 as a parts pricing analyst. Ribeiro says that she always knew JLG would be the right place for her because of her father’s long career in JLG manufacturing, his passion for the products, and the company’s culture. While in her first role at JLG, she continued her studies at Shippensburg University where she earned a Master of Business Administration from the John L. Grove School of Business. Shortly after receiving her MBA, Ribeiro advanced to a parts pricing manager role. Ribeiro expanded that role to become a senior manager of business development, acquiring responsibilities beyond parts pricing, which included coordination with the supply chain, aftermarket parts sales, and integrated technology teams. With more than 10-years of aftermarket experience and a broad understanding of the JLG business and its customers, Ribeiro then advanced to a director of the pricing role, where she led the team responsible for both whole goods and aftermarket parts pricing, before moving into her newest role as director of product management for telehandlers. Throughout her career, Ribeiro has played an integral role in supporting business development initiatives. She says that taking on a leadership role in product management provides her with the opportunity to continue expanding her business knowledge by getting closer to the customer and being at the forefront of new business and product development decisions. “JLG has a well-established position in the telehandler market,” says Ribeiro. “It’s an honor to represent two market-leading brands like JLG and SkyTrak and to have the opportunity to talk directly with customers about the current product line and future enhancements. Feedback from the field spurs our process of customer-inspired innovation.” JLG has recently diversified its telehandler portfolio to meet the growing demand for these highly versatile machines. These new models support applications across the agricultural and landscape industries, as well as work in highly congested urban areas and in specialty applications where higher capacity and greater height are required. “Our team is passionate about understanding job site challenges to develop solutions that drive tangible value for owners and operators. It’s an exciting time to step into my new product management role, and I am looking forward to applying my aftermarket experience and developing a full lifecycle strategy for the telehandler product line,” concludes Ribeiro. In her new telehandler role, Ribeiro joins Ara Eckel, Bob Begley, and Nate Hoover to round out the JLG product management director team.