Master Magnetics announces Senior Management reorganization
Master Magnetics, Inc. announced the promotion of three team members to key positions on the senior management team. “In our 45 years in business, there has never been anything quite like navigating the multi-faceted challenges resulting from the pandemic,” said Master Magnetics COO, Jennifer Brown. “These organizational moves support the proactive management of supply chain issues and customer support, while we focus on the ever-changing needs of our IT infrastructure and cyber security. Alex Onda, Trisha Lycas, and Lance Hill, through their leadership and expertise, have demonstrated that they are the right people to guide us through these challenges and beyond,” added Brown. Alex Onda – Senior Manager, Operations Onda has been with Master Magnetics since 2015, managing the primary supply chain functions while upgrading critical processes and influencing software decisions designed to support revenue growth and operational efficiencies. In his newly-elevated position, Onda will continue to lead the purchasing, production, warehouse, and quality assurance teams at the corporate headquarters in Castle Rock, Colorado, as well as at the production and distribution center in Marietta, Ohio, as he defines the future of operations at the company. Trisha Lycas – Senior Manager, Sales and Marketing Lycas joined Master Magnetics in 2018, focusing on the vision and development of the company’s first eCommerce website and the formation of a dedicated eCommerce team and supportive marketing programs. In her new role, Lycas will oversee all the company’s sales, marketing, and customer service departments, creating cohesive alignment between these key teams and the needs of the business. Lycas will also be responsible for the organization’s revenue streams, customer service, and marketing programs, providing strategic direction in response to market conditions and organizational goals. Lance Hill – Senior Manager, IT Hill joined Master Magnetics in 2013, serving as IT Manager. Later, his role was expanded to include management of sales operations, and he’s been instrumental in the deployment and support of the company’s technology investments, the realignment of sales teams in support of revenue growth, security protocols, and a new hybrid work program. In his new role, Hill will narrow his focus on the acceleration of the deployment of the enhanced ERP system, and update and integrate systems and technologies to improve processes and better serve customers. His IT team will continue to provide the ongoing administration, security, and maintenance of technology investments.
Saf-T-Gard® International Inc. commemorates 85th Anniversary
2021 marks the 85th anniversary of Saf-T-Gard International, Inc., a family-owned and operated global supplier of industrial safety products now in its 4th generation of ownership. The first “P” in “PPE” stands for “Personal”, and never before has safety been more personal than it is nowadays with the outbreak of COVID-19 affecting the lives and livelihoods of everyone. No one understands this better than Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. Since its establishment in 1936, Saf-T-Gard has enabled on-the-job safety, compliance, and peace of mind for hundreds of thousands of workers and their families by delivering superior safety products and solutions that protect against work-related hazards and prevent serious injuries. Saf-T-Gard has grown significantly since its humble, two-person factory loft beginnings. Founded as Latex Glove Manufacturing Company by Leo and Lillian Rivkin, the company began its operations in Chicago when the Rivkins acquired equipment from a balloon company and used it to produce waterproof, rubber-coated cotton gloves. They purchased cotton gloves, dipped them in the latex rubber tanks, let them dry overnight, and sold them the next day. In the 1940s, as Chicago manufacturers geared up to support the American war efforts, Latex Glove Company expanded its product offering as a full-line industrial glove distributor. The focus on occupational safety and health in the 1960s and 1970s lead to an increased emphasis on providing a full line of personal protective equipment. As such, Latex Glove Company began supplementing its legacy of hand protection with industrial safety products from global suppliers, including protective eyewear, respirators, hard hats, protective clothing and footwear, and first aid kits and supplies to meet OSHA’s requirements. In 1979, Latex Glove Company purchased a larger industrial building in Northbrook, Illinois, to position the company for further growth and better customer service. In the early 1980s, the Voltgard® project was launched as a small test lab with the mission to develop the electrical testing and utility industry business by providing the testing of rubber insulating products to complement the sales of new products. Saf-T-Gard’s Voltgard Test Lab has grown to be the largest, independent, NAIL4PET accredited test lab for rubber insulating products in the United States and offers complete retesting and certification of rubber gloves, sleeves, blankets, line hose, covers, dielectric footwear, jumper cables, grounding sets, plastic guards, hot sticks, matting, hoods, and hand tools – all to applicable standards. Moreover, the Voltgard Test Lab developed the Original Rubber Goods Change-Out Program® – the industry’s first managed rubber goods change-out program designed to minimize out-of-service time and save money by offering customers complete solutions from start to finish. No other test lab offers the Voltgard level of service. Having experienced significant business growth, Saf-T-Gard moved to its current location on Huehl Road in 1986. The new building was nearly double in size with plenty of room for even greater expansion. By 1989, the company’s direction as a full-line, quality-oriented supplier of safety products was clear, and therefore, Latex Glove Company changed its name to Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. to reflect its dedication to a complete line of worker safety products and personal protective equipment. Today, Saf-T-Gard offers tens of thousands of products spanning the full range of personal protective equipment and facility safety from the world’s leading manufacturers in addition to Saf‑T‑Gard’s exclusive brands. Saf-T-Gard serves customers in all 50 states and in more than 50 countries around the world. The company has received numerous awards, including Illinois Family Business of the Year, United States Department of Commerce President’s “E” Award for Export Excellence, AD Safety Network Gold Star Distributor Award, and AD Safety Network Peak Performance Distributor Award. Saf-T-Gard is an active member of the National Safety Council (NSC), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Worker Safety Committee, the North American Independent Laboratories for Protective Equipment Testing (NAIL4PET), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and AD Safety Network. “Saf-T-Gard is 85 years strong, and our solid history is a testament to our dedication, commitment, and stability as a company,” said Richard Rivkin, Chairman and CEO, Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. Loren Rivkin, President and COO continues, “My great-grandparents started our company just after the Great Depression. World War II ensued and my grandfather went off to war, returning home with a Purple Heart and Silver Star, and then rejoined his parents’ company. Now we finish our 85th year, hopefully seeing the end of a two-year global pandemic, and Saf-T-Gard is still here and strong, bringing workers home safely.”
Mid Florida Material Handling opens Tampa location
Orlando-based Mid Florida Material Handling (MFMH) has opened its new location in Tampa, Florida off the I-4 corridor. MFMH is an authorized Komatsu forklift dealer, is one of the largest stocking dealers of Interlake pallet rack in Florida, and even provides turn-key modular office and mezzanine design services throughout the United States. Mid Florida Material Handling was founded in 2011 by Paul Sutherland and Andrea Ahern to create a true “one-stop-shop” for material handling equipment and warehouse design. Since then, the company has recorded impressive growth through its customer-first mentality and material handling expertise. MFMH even provides turn-key modular office and mezzanine design services throughout the United States.
Flow-Rite expands in Europe
Flow-Rite has established an office in the United Kingdom, headed by international business manager Steven Wong, to support its growing European market opportunities. The company is a manufacturer of injection-molded fluid control products, including battery-watering systems and marine plumbing solutions. Todd Hart, Flow-Rite president, made the announcement. Wong transitions from Hong Kong, where he helped mature Flow-Rite’s battery-related business is primarily industrial markets. Europe presents additional opportunities for the company’s comprehensive line of marine and RV products. Wong will create distribution channels and develop relationships with major boat and RV OEMs. “While in Asia, Steven did a great job developing business for our lead-acid battery watering and monitoring solutions,” said Hart. “Due to Europe’s industrial maturity and a growing demand for our products, he’s the ideal person to lead our expansion efforts in this region.” Flow-Rite manufactures in the USA injection-molded fluid control products. Its marine line includes livewell, baitwell, and ballast solutions with unique Qwik-Lok™ connectors, as well as the innovative Remote Drain Plug. It offers single-point battery watering and monitoring systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensor solutions.
VARTA AG expands Executive Board to include Technology Department led by CTO Rainer Hald
VARTA AG enlarges its Executive Board. The Supervisory Board of the MDAX-listed company has decided to include Rainer Hald on the Executive Board of the company, effective from 1st January 2022. The 52-year-old Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is the third member of the body alongside Armin Hessenberger (CFO) and the Chairman, Herbert Schein (CEO). Michael Tojner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VARTA AG: “Researching, developing and breaking new ground is part of VARTA’s DNA and has made us the innovation leader in the industry. Since 2013, Rainer Hald has been driving the great technological visions of VARTA and will be an excellent addition to the successful Executive Board. With this step, VARTA has set the course for the next growth phase also at Board level.” Herbert Schein: “I have already worked very closely and trustingly with Rainer Hald for the past ten years and I am looking forward to continuing this good cooperation at Board level. Rainer Hald has been a successful CTO for many years. His appointment is also a sign that VARTA already is a technology company today and that we will continue to expand our technological lead in the future. ” Rainer Hald, who holds a degree in engineering, has been with VARTA since 2000, where he held various management positions. Hald has been Chief Technology Officer of VARTA AG since 2013.
viisights welcomes new VP of Global Marketing
viisights, Inc., the innovator in behavioral recognition systems for real-time video intelligence, announces the appointment of Ronen Sadan as Vice President of Marketing. Ronen brings extensive leadership experience in marketing and product management for established and start-up technology companies, including NovelSat, Siano Mobile, and Intel Corporation. In those roles, he demonstrated success in defining and bringing new products to market and managing strategic accounts. Before joining viisights, Ronen most recently served as VP Marketing at VideoFlow, an Israel-based developer of cloud-based software, for reliable real-time video broadcasting over any IP network. In that capacity, Ronen led VideoFlow’s global marketing and technology partnerships activities. Ronen holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Technion-Macho Technology Le’Israel and an MBA in Marketing from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya). His technical expertise encompasses communication networks, mobile, and digital TV. “Ronen has solid technical and marketing experience, with specific expertise in the area of the video communications market,” said Asaf Birenzvieg, viisights CEO. “We are delighted to have a leader of his caliber help advance our mission of leveraging artificial intelligence technology to create safer physical and virtual public areas.”
Enerpac Tool Group announces Scott Vuchetich appointed EVP – Marketing and President – Americas
Enerpac Tool Group Corp. has announced that Scott Vuchetich has joined the Company as EVP — Marketing and President – Americas. He will have responsibility for the commercial and operations activities in the Americas region, and will also lead the global marketing function, including all product management, commercial marketing, digital/e-commerce, marketing communications, and branding efforts. Mr. Vuchetich will report to Paul Sternlieb, President & CEO of Enerpac Tool Group, and will serve on the company’s executive leadership team. Mr. Vuchetich joins Enerpac Tool Group from Brady Corporation, a $1.1 billion global manufacturer of safety, identification, and compliance products. Most recently, he led Brady’s People ID division, a global business designing, manufacturing, and selling a comprehensive range of highly engineered products. Previously he was General Manager of the Industrial division’s Americas region, and also led global advanced identification technology developments for Brady. He has held roles of increasing scope and responsibility, with experience across multiple industries, driving organic and inorganic growth both domestically and internationally. Earlier in his career, he was a consultant with Bain & Company and also spent time living and working in Europe. He brings a strong focus on commercial execution and innovation, with a proven track record of delivering growth and performance improvement in his businesses. Mr. Vuchetich holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Commenting on the announcement, Paul Sternlieb, President and CEO, noted, “I am pleased to welcome Scott to the Enerpac Tool Group leadership team, as we continue our focus on growth, efficiency, and simplification. In continuing to flatten our structure, Scott’s role combines what had previously been two roles within our company. This will enable us to further capitalize on growth opportunities in our markets by building a strategic roadmap for our product portfolio, and with a stronger connection between our marketing and commercial execution teams, extending that through selling our world-class offerings.” Mr. Vuchetich added, “I am excited to be joining Enerpac Tool Group as it furthers its progress as a pure-play industrial tools and services company. I believe my background and experience across multiple industries will allow me to contribute to the company’s future success.”
Nano One appoints Carla Matheson as Independent Director
Nano One® Materials Corp. (“Nano One” or the “Company”), a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, has announced the appointment of Ms. Carla Matheson as an Independent Director to the Board effective immediately. Ms. Matheson will also serve as a member of Nano One’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating, and People and Governance Committees. Paul Matysek, Executive Chair, commented, “On behalf of the board and the entire team, we are pleased to welcome Carla to Nano One. Carla brings a wealth of experience and a strong financial acumen that will be invaluable in supporting Nano One’s ongoing growth strategy.” Ms. Matheson is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over ten years of experience in a variety of industries, specializing in business development, mergers and acquisitions, and financial reporting. Throughout her career on both the buy- and sell-side, Ms. Matheson, has provided dynamic solutions on all aspects of finance, accounting, and business-related issues for both public and private companies, having closed 30+ majority acquisitions, 50+ minority/venture type transactions, raised over $150M in capital via both debt and equity markets and deployed over $60M in capital. Ms. Carla Matheson stated “I am delighted to be joining the Nano One Board as the company looks to execute on its strategic development plans. I am looking forward to working with the Nano One Board and management team to build on Nano One’s continued responsible growth and value generation.” Ms. Matheson has spent over 10 years in the finance and accounting field working with both public and private companies. Most recently, she was Chief Financial Officer of Tiny Capital, where she was responsible for the strategic oversight of the technology-heavy portfolio. This oversight included on-boarding new acquisitions, development of core financial and operational processes as the primary point of contact for portfolio CEOs experiencing periods of high growth. Ms. Matheson is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Plank Ventures Ltd., an investment company targeting investments and business opportunities in the technology arena, with a focus on early-stage start-up companies that have developed a customer and revenue base and are seeking funding for expansion.
Ducommun Incorporated acquires Magnetic Seal Corporation
Market leader of Proprietary Magnetic Seals for critical A&D Applications strengthening the company’s position in niche engineered products Ducommun Incorporated announced that it has completed the acquisition of Magnetic Seal Corporation (“MagSeal”), based in Warren, Rhode Island. Founded in 1954 by George E. Colby and Robert L. Stevenson, MagSeal revolutionized the mechanical seal industry with the introduction of its proprietary magnetic seals by incorporating permanent magnets into their design and manufacture. MagSeal has since evolved into a leading provider of high-impact, military-proven magnetic seals for critical systems in aerospace and defense applications, offering sealing solutions that are engineered to perform in high-speed, high-vibration, and other challenging environments. Today, MagSeal solutions are engineered to outperform in the most extreme conditions. MagSeal supplies sealing solutions to every branch of the U.S. military and is entrenched on more than 50 commercial and military aircraft programs including the AH-64 Apache and CH-53K helicopters, F-15 and F-18 fighter jets, C-130 transports, A320, B737, and Cessna Citation jets. “I am delighted to welcome the MagSeal business and its team to Ducommun as we continue our strategy of adding high value-added A&D engineered products with recurring aftermarket to our portfolio,” said Stephen G. Oswald, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ducommun Incorporated. “MagSeal is an excellent business with a strong reputation and further advances the company’s industry offering and I look forward to the many years of growth ahead.” “We are excited to join the Ducommun family. MagSeal’s combined knowledge, experience, and expertise to design, prototype, value engineer, and manufacture aerospace quality seal solutions will complement Ducommun’s existing portfolio of engineered products for the defense industry. With Ducommun, MagSeal expects to accelerate its growth and expand its focus on innovative offerings to meet the needs of an evolving military,” said Robert Garde, MagSeal’s president. Ducommun financed the acquisition by utilizing cash on hand and a portion of its existing revolving credit facility.
Alta acquires Michigan’s Ginop Sales
Alta Equipment Group Inc., (“Alta”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the stock of Ginop Sales, Inc., a privately held equipment distributor with three locations in Northern Michigan. This acquisition expands Alta’s construction equipment footprint to ten locations in Michigan and expands its relationship with a leading OEM. Established in 1959, Ginop is an elite Kubota dealer and a trusted source of sales, rentals, service, and parts for the full line of Kubota equipment and attachments. Ryan Greenawalt, Chief Executive Officer of Alta, said, “The acquisition of Ginop strengthens Alta’s business and product offerings in our home state of Michigan by expanding our relationship with Kubota, a world-class OEM. The acquisition builds on our strategy of providing customers with superior equipment and unrivaled product support. For over six decades, Ginop has been Northern Michigan’s trusted source for construction and agricultural equipment. Alta is honored to carry on the Ginop legacy and excited to add their talented team to the Alta family.” Ginop Sales, Inc., generated approximately $65 million in revenue and had adjusted EBIT of approximately $6.5 million for the trailing-twelve-month period ended August 2021. Terms of the acquisition are expected to be disclosed upon closing. The transaction is expected to close prior to year-end, subject to customary conditions.
Wisconsin’s Brooks Tractor becomes Merlo dealer
Brooks Tractor, with seven locations in WI, and service to the upper peninsula of Michigan, is now a Merlo dealer. “Brooks Tractor is always looking for ways to diversify its fleet and add value to the customer experience,” said Truie Brobston, Sales Manager. “If we can be their one-stop-shop, it helps us market the rest of our lineup. We were impressed with the technology the Merlo line has to offer and the overall fit and finish of their product.” For seven decades the name Brooks has been associated with quality construction and agricultural equipment in the upper Midwest. Brooks Tractor is Wisconsin’s premiere construction equipment dealer, featuring John Deere, Hitachi, Atlas Copco, and Dynapac, and many other quality brands. Brooks Tractor serves markets from construction, agriculture, governmental, and commercial construction, plus many more. “Our hope is that by partnering with AMS (distributor of Merlo for the USA) and Merlo,” Brobston continued, “we can continue to serve our customers for all their equipment needs. Overall, this partnership should help us to grow while helping our customers do the same.” Brooks will carry the entire line of Merlo telehandlers. The line covers all segments of material handling. From the versatile multi-industry compact P27.6PLUS through the powerful MF40.9 for AG, the High Capacity and Heavy Duty models, and the ever-popular Roto for the construction, landscaping, utility, and arbor segments. We are excited to partner with Brooks Tractor,” said Austin Bailey, AMS-Merlo Sales Manager. “The level of service that Brooks Tractor provides to their customers, along with their knowledgeable sales team, is what we look for when approaching new dealers. We are looking forward to further growing the Merlo brand with Brooks.” Brooks is a family business, and with that is a family mentality that embraces employees and customers. With over 75 years in business Brooks’ philosophy is to be at the forefront of their markets while embracing the next 75 years to come. “Our future depends on the success of our customers,” Brobston said. “Our mission is to partner with our customers to provide the most cost-effective, technology-driven equipment solutions. We strive to deliver that every day. Whether in our shop or in the field, Brooks Tractor is there for everyone.” Brooks’ locations are in the major metropolitan areas of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, Stevens Point, and Racine – will carry the Merlo line of telehandlers. In addition, they look forward to supporting customers in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For more information on Brooks Tractor and its locations visit brookstractor.com.
Nano One announces former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Frank Fannon as Strategic Advisor
Hon. Francis (Frank) Fannon joins Nano One as a strategic advisor on energy resources and global affairs Accomplished public policy and business experience in energy and supply chain Appointment to strengthen Nano One’s commercialization and North American scale-up programs Nano One® Materials Corp. (Nano One), is a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Mr. Alex Holmes, COO, is pleased to introduce the Honorable Frank R. Fannon as a strategic advisor to Nano One. Mr. Fannon’s experience and unique insight on the importance of responsibly sourced, secure, domestic supplies of critical energy materials will compliment Nano One’s accomplished Advisory Committee as they support senior management on its commercialization and scale-up activities. “Frank is a strong leader who has led a successful career in the private and public sector in the U.S.,” said Mr. Holmes, “Frank’s work in the US State Department elevated global awareness of the critical role that minerals play in the energy transition and his ambition to drive new, positive energy initiatives will be an asset to Nano One. I am looking forward to working with Frank and the team as we move along our path towards commercialization.” In May 2018, Frank was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the inaugural Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, a position he held until January 2021. As “America’s Energy Diplomat,” he led whole-of-government initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East to advance free, open markets, and resilient responsible supply chains. Frank also established the multi-country Energy Resources Governance Initiative to share global mining best practices and improve governance. “Free nations are playing catch-up to determine who will shape the clean energy economy, and according to what standards. In order to improve our environment and security, we must develop and deploy leapfrog technologies at scale,” Mr. Frank Fannon commented. “I am pleased to work with Nano One as a critical answer to that call.” Frank joins Nano One’s Advisory Committee along with Dr. Yuan Gao, Joe Lowry, Robert Morris, and Dr. Byron Gates. Frank is currently the managing director of Fannon Global Advisors, a strategic advisory focused on geopolitics, the energy transition, and market transformation. He is also a non-resident senior advisor at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and a visiting senior fellow at the Center for Technology Diplomacy at Purdue. Prior to his time at the State Department, Frank established BHP’s U.S. Corporate Affairs function as a Managing Director and served as Chief U.S. Advisor to the BHP Foundation, focused on transparency and governance, environmental resilience, and education equity. Prior to BHP, Frank led government affairs for Murphy Oil Corporation where he facilitated new country entry in multiple regions and developed the industry’s first point-of-purchase consumer energy campaign. Previously, he served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he drafted, negotiated, and helped pass key legislation. Frank also served as counsel to Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) and Pete V. Domenici (R-NM). Frank holds a J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law, an M.A. in International Affairs, Economics & Trade from the University of Denver Korbel School of International Studies, and a B.A. from Radford University.
Force Control announces retirement of longtime Sales Manager Stan Porter
Force Control Industries announces the retirement of sales and marketing leader Stan Porter who will depart at the end of the year. Porter was a longtime fixture on the sales team, having held several sales positions over the past three-plus decades, including VP of Sales & Marketing, and most recently Marketing Manager. Mike Fox will take over Porter’s Midwestern sales territory, while Tony Stoner will assume his marketing responsibilities. With his newfound time, Porter plans to spend more time traveling for pleasure and with family. His last day at force Control is December 30. Porter started at Force Control in 1986 and has held various sales and marketing positions throughout that time, including territory sales manager, national sales manager, and VP of Sales & Marketing. With a front-row seat, he participated in the technology changes that reshaped the industry including the creation of the company’s first website along with each successive version and update. In addition, he’s developed published marketing materials, advertising campaigns, videos, and more. “Stan has guided us through the many technology changes which have dramatically changed the way we take our message to the marketplace,” said VP of Sales and Marketing Tony Stoner. “We wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.” Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, Force Control Industries is the world leader in oil shear technology, offering a full line of clutches, brakes, and clutch brakes for OEMs in diverse applications. Their manufacturing campus includes three manufacturing facilities with over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with engineering, design, customer support, and administrative offices.
Toyota Material Handling announces CEO Retirement and Succession Plan
Toyota Material Handling (TMH) announced today that Jeff Rufener, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will retire at the end of the month. The company has selected Senior Vice President of Sales Bill Finerty to succeed Rufener effective January 1, 2022. “On behalf of the entire Toyota family, we would like to thank Jeff for his leadership and impact during his 10 years with the company,” said Brett Wood, President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America and Senior Executive Officer of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). “Jeff led TMH through some of the largest, most transformational challenges in history, and he did so with grace, with empathy, and with compassion. He embraced each challenge, and always saw the positive opportunity in change.” Rufener joined TMH in 2011 after more than 30 years with Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America. During his tenure at TMH, Rufener oversaw the move of the company’s headquarters from California to Indiana and multiple expansions of TMH’s Indiana campus. Rufener also managed the integration of Toyota’s two Columbus-based companies – Toyota Material Handling USA (TMHU) and Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) – into a single company in 2020. During Rufener’s tenure, TICO made key strategic acquisitions such as Bastian Solutions and Vanderlande to enter the automation sector; Toyota Commercial Finance, and Hoist to expand Toyota’s heavy-duty lift truck offering. Rufener also helped TMH round out its product offering with the launch of many new electric models to ensure the organization continues to lead for decades to come. Rufener has always been a respected leader in the material handling industry, previously serving as the President of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) and as the first Chairman of the National Forklift Safety Day taskforce. Rufener also championed the company’s partnership with the American Red Cross and has passionately helped it grow over the last several years, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Southeast Indiana chapter. Since 2018, TMH’s partnership with the Red Cross has resulted in corporate, dealer, and associate support that includes donations of rental equipment, time, expertise, money, and in some cases, blood donations, as part of the growing relationship between the two organizations. “One of Jeff’s lasting legacies will be the culture he helped build and sustain, a culture centered around the company’s core purpose of ‘Helping People Carry the Load’,” Wood said. “Toyota is better because of Jeff, and the material handling industry is better because of Jeff. We wish Jeff and his family a very relaxing, healthy, and safe retirement.” Added Rufener: “It has been an honor to serve as TMH President & CEO, and I want to offer a sincere thank you to our associates, dealers, suppliers, and customers whose hard work and dedication have allowed us to achieve great things. When I joined Toyota, I thought I was taking the best job in the forklift industry. Ten years later, I can tell you I know it’s the best job in the industry. This brand, this culture, this product line, and this group of Toyota dealers – all of those things make it the best position I could ever ask for.” Finerty to Become TMH President and CEO in January Finerty will take over for Rufener after more than five years leading the company’s sales teams. As Senior VP of Sales, Finerty also oversaw the TMH customer network and dealer network development, and he chairs the board of directors for TMH’s equity-owned dealerships and the company’s Heavy Duty Division. Under Finerty’s leadership, TMH has reached records in sales, profit, and market share. Finerty has more than 30 years of industry involvement and previously held several executive leadership roles at Caterpillar, Inc. “We conducted a thorough evaluation that included TICO executives, and after that analysis, we all agreed that Bill was the right person to lead the organization,” Wood said. “Bill has done an exceptional job leading Toyota’s sales teams to record-breaking success. His leadership style fits our culture perfectly, and he has a passion to help Toyota succeed in everything we do. It will be difficult for anyone to fill Jeff’s shoes, but I’m confident that Bill is prepared to succeed in this role, and the transition will be smooth because we are promoting from within.” “I want to thank Jeff for his great leadership, mentorship, and friendship, and also Brett and TICO for their confidence in me as I step into this role,” Finerty said. “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with our talented team of associates and dealers to advance TMH’s growth strategy in the years to come.” Jaksa Pejnovic will succeed Finerty to become TMH’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, also effective January 1. Pejnovic has been with Toyota since 2013 and joined the TMH executive team in 2016 as the Director of Finance, Pricing, and Strategic Planning. Prior to joining TMH, Pejnovic spent 12 years at CNO Financial Group in a number of finance and accounting positions. “Jaksa has been an integral part of Toyota’s success by leading the development and execution of our long-term strategy,” Finerty said. “I’m confident he will help deliver more industry-leading results in this new role.”
East Coast Warehouse & Distribution names Larry Faschan Jr. Vice President of Human Resources
East Coast Warehouse & Distribution, a temperature-controlled logistics provider to the food and beverage industry, has named Larry Faschan Jr. Vice President of Human Resources. In this role, Larry will lead human resources activities across all East Coast Warehouse locations and entities. In his more than 35 years of experience, Larry has built successful human resources teams and systems, designing compensation and benefit plans, implemented performance management metrics, and managed training and development programs. He has held executive leadership positions at several well-known food and beverage logistics companies and has extensive experience in both union and non-union work environments. “We are thrilled to welcome Larry to the East Coast Warehouse family,” said Jamie Overley, East Coast Warehouse’s CEO. “We look forward to his support and expertise as we continue to execute against our aggressive growth and expansion plans.” Larry joins East Coast Warehouse from Performance Foodservice Group, where he served as Director of Human Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University and a Certificate of Industrial and Labor Relations Studies from Cornell University.
Steel King Industries receives Industry Award
Steel King Industries®, a manufacturer of storage rack and material handling products, has earned the prestigious MVS (Most Valuable Supplier) Award for achievements in material handling 2021. 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 7th consecutive year that Steel King has earned the MVS Award. This industry award recognizes companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. To qualify for the MVS Award, Steel King 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” to the community. 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 “Steel King is honored to be the only rack manufacturer who has earned this award since its inception. The achievement is particularly significant, as it was earned during a year of unprecedented business demand, global supply chain disruption, freight capacity challenges, and general market uncertainty,” stated Jay Anderson, president at Steel King Industries. “Achieving the MVS Award demonstrates a company-wide effort to maintain the highest business standards, customer service, employee development, and commitment to the betterment of the material handling industry. MHEDA is very proud of our award‐winning members.” Ted Springer, president of Springer Equipment Co., Inc. and 2021 MHEDA Chairman. Since 1970, Steel King Industries has been manufacturing a full line of material handling products, including selective pallet racks, dynamic flow storage systems, AS/RS racks for mini-loads or unit loads, cantilever racks, portable racks, and custom shipping racks, along with industrial steel containers and guard railing. Products are made using only U.S. steel. Innovation, customization, and design strength have earned Steel King the reputation as a leader in the material handling marketplace. Steel King has over 500 employees throughout our three facilities including our corporate headquarters located in Stevens Point, WI, and manufacturing facilities in New London, WI, and Rome, GA. To learn more about MHEDA Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association or the MVS award, visit http://www.mheda.org/membership/awards/.
Material Handling integrator takes on established Industrial Rack Repair line
National Rack Repair, Inc—an Indiana-based integrator of industrial storage and safety products, is now the North American home of the Rack Avenger. National Rack Repair holds the exclusive license to market the Rack Avenger repair kits throughout North America. Additionally, National Rack Repair will hold the responsibility for product sourcing decisions including its newest manufacturing partner, SpaceGuard Products. Eddie Murphy, CEO of National Rack Repair, explains why the Rack Avenger and the topic of rack safety are such an important one right now. “Distribution and warehousing are growing at a record rate given the current pressures on our supply chain to meet customers’ growing needs for products in a shortened time frame. That growth requires more distribution centers, a high percentage utilizing vertical storage systems to optimize the facility’s cubic storage capacity. Those systems, in turn, can endure a great deal of damage from mobile equipment in the fast-paced world of order picking and fulfillment. That damage can stall operations, cause damage to product and facilities, or even lead to serious injuries.” Murphy believes the Rack Avenger fills a huge void in the marketplace. “The majority of rack repair offerings fail in one of two areas. Some provide a cheap replacement of the vertical frame that often requires continuous and costly replacement. The more robust offerings require timely engineering that often result in unusable storage space for several months.” Murphy continued, “The Rack Avenger is the only pre-engineered, field-adjustable repair solution on the market that has been proven to withstand heavy impact. That was my draw to the product. The only thing we needed to solve beyond that was how to build enough product to amply service this rapidly growing opportunity.” Murphy has previously designed and launched two successful brands since 2012 when he purchased his Indiana-based manufacturing company, SpaceGuard Products. SpaceGuard’s BeastWire Mesh Guarding security fencing and lockers, and RageWire machine guarding brands “were created in the same spirit as the Rack Avenger: flexible designs that can be stocked with minimal components to minimize lead times while allowing for enough configurations to service a broad range of needs.” Murphy believes, “the Rack Avenger is a great fit with our other brands. We can continue to focus on servicing the safety needs of our industrial distribution and manufacturing customer base. And we can grow this great brand with added manufacturing capacity and the reputation we’ve built to back it up.” Murphy will continue to serve as president of SpaceGuard Products. He also remains dedicated to industry stewardship with an active role in several key professional associations. Murphy currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Material Handling Industry and as president of Woven Wire Products Association. He previously served as the charter Chair of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association.
Cimcorp continues global expansion with office relocation
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this space will bring capabilities for improved product demos, increased warehousing space for parts, and an innovative showroom for Cimcorp’s 3D Shuttle solution Cimcorp, a manufacturer and integrator of turnkey robotic order fulfillment and tire handling solutions, has announced the relocation of its U.S. office to a larger, expanded space designed to better serve customers and support continued growth in the U.S. market. Thanks to a rapidly growing customer base in the United States, Cimcorp has outgrown its Alpharetta, Georgia, office that opened in July 2020 and moved to a new space on October 1, 2021, that accommodates more storage, parts, and employee offices. Atlanta is a great area for growth with twenty-nine companies headquartered in metro Atlanta being among the 2020 Fortune 1000. This facility is three times larger than the previous location and will include a dedicated space for product demonstrations and training to ensure customers are taking advantage of all of Cimcorp’s offerings. “Our Alpharetta office was ideal for growth, but our new location in Atlanta with expanded warehousing space will allow us to provide even higher quality service and support for customers,” said Rick Trigatti, president of Cimcorp Automation Ltd. Trigatti, and the rest of the Cimcorp team, will utilize the Atlanta office to continue providing stellar customer service and valuable training opportunities to the warehousing, distribution, and tire industries, as adoption of automation, continues to rise around the globe “Cimcorp stands at the forefront of order fulfillment services, and this more spacious office will showcase our capabilities with a ‘Showroom of Automation’ that includes offerings such as an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) and more,” said Joel Kuusman, Manager of U.S. Operations and Technology Services at Cimcorp. “The Atlanta office will give our team the opportunity to provide high-level parts, service, and training programs in line with our Success Services initiative.” Previously featured at the Alpharetta location, the facility’s showroom will also include Cimcorp’s 3D Shuttle solution, automated storage, and retrieval system (AS/RS) for goods-to-person order picking ideal for e-commerce, retail, and foodservice distribution. Additionally, this facility will offer technology demos that will provide immense value to the warehousing and distribution marketplace. The new office is located at: Cimcorp USA, Inc. 1381 Stonefield Court Alpharetta, GA 30004, United States Tel +1 888 797 3703 ccna_customersupport@cimcorp.com
Nano One announces Cathode Materials expert Dr. Yuan Gao as Strategic Advisor
Dr. Yuan Gao joins Nano One as a strategic advisor on cathodes business and supply chain Accomplished senior executive and globally recognized innovator in lithium-ion batteries Expert in lithium production and battery cathodes including LFP, NMC, LCO, and LMO Appointment to enhance Nano One’s innovation, commercialization, and scale-up programs Nano One® Materials Corp. (Nano One), is a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Mr. Dan Blondal, CEO, just announced that Dr. Yuan Gao as a strategic advisor to Nano One on lithium-ion battery cathode technologies, supply chains, and business strategy. Dr. Gao’s experience and network will enhance and accelerate innovation, commercialization, and scale-up programs, as Nano One ramps up to address battery demand, ESG investing, and supply chain imperatives taking hold in North America and around the world. “Dr. Gao is an accomplished executive,” said Mr. Dan Blondal, “with a strong technical background and a successful track record in leading and growing businesses throughout the lithium-ion battery supply chain. I have a tremendous amount of respect for his technical vision, business acumen, and understanding of global supply chains as they relate to LFP, NMC, LCO, and other battery cathode materials. I am delighted to have Dr. Gao joining our team on the path to commercialization.” Dr. Gao is also an internationally recognized expert in lithium-ion battery materials with over a hundred patents issued around the world, dozens of journal publications, and his innovations are at the core of today’s lithium-ion batteries. He has joined Nano One Advisory Committee members, Joe Lowry, Robert Morris, and Dr. Byron Gates. “As the global production of lithium-ion battery materials grows to millions of tons,” said Dr. Gao, “we will need technological innovation to eliminate environmental waste, economic inefficiencies, and complexity that persist in today’s battery supply chain. For this reason, I am inspired by what I’ve seen at Nano One over the years, and I am pleased to be collaborating with them on their technology and commercialization efforts.” Dr. Gao is the Vice Chairman of the board of Pulead Technology, a respected producer of cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, having served as President and CEO from May 2014 to Sept 2019. In addition, Dr. Gao also serves as a member of the board of directors for Lithium Americas Corp. Previously, Dr. Gao served as Vice President at Molycorp Inc., and as Global Marketing Director and Technology Manager at FMC Corporation (USA). Dr. Gao completed a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of British Columbia and did post-doctoral research on lithium metal oxides at Simon Fraser University in Professor Jeff Dahn’s laboratory. He has also completed an executive education program at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
CLARK Material Handling Company announces promotion of Jim Clark to Product Support Manager
CLARK Material Handling Company, a top-ten global manufacturer of forklift trucks and spare parts, announces the promotion of Jim Clark to Product Support Manager. In this role, Jim will be responsible for key disciplines within CLARK that interact daily with dealers. Departments reporting to him include Service Engineering, Technical Training, Warranty, Technical Publications, and Product Specialists. He will report to Chuck Moratz, Senior Vice President Global Engineering of CLARK Material Handling Company. “Jim has been a member of the CLARK team for many years. His wealth of experience and knowledge of CLARK and within the material handling industry will benefit our dealers and CLARK, now, and long into the future,” noted Moratz. “Through his work, we expect to further improve the overall product support work we bring to our dealers and to our end-customers.” Jim began his CLARK career in 1988 working as a mod tech and has worked in several departments holding increasing levels of responsibility. In his most recent role of Service Supervisor, he gained the trust and confidence of the many CLARK dealers. Throughout his Service Supervisor tenure, he has solved many challenging service issues and worked tirelessly to ensure the service department meets the needs of CLARK dealers and end customers. “I’m excited about this new challenge and look forward to delivering continued success to our dealers,” added Jim Clark. “The CLARK company produces high-quality products and offers great opportunities for the team members here.” Jim will continue to cover the position of Service Supervisor until a replacement is identified. Until that time, we request service issues be addressed to our service engineering team which can be reached at 859-422-6400 and select option 4 for the product support team.