LiuGong North America appoints new president
LiuGong North America (LGNA) has appointed Andrew Ryan as president of LiuGong North America, effective August 16, 2021. Ryan has 25 years of experience in the construction equipment industry. While at Caterpillar, he served in senior roles spanning machine marketing, dealer administration, rental, and aftermarket parts. Andrew has a global perspective on the industry has lived and worked in the U.S., Chile, and Singapore. “Andrew brings deep experience in developing construction equipment dealers and ensuring customer success with outstanding product support,” said Kevin Thieneman, LGNA chairman. “I am confident that our dealers and customers in North America will benefit from his leadership.” “I am excited by the opportunity to work closely with our dealer network and lead the extended LiuGong team to the next phase of growth in North America,” said Ryan.
BEUMER Group expands in the USA
With the BEUMER Group’s new location in Denver / Colorado, the system provider can better serve customers in the Airport and Mining business areas. In addition to the existing office in Somerset, New York, the BEUMER Group has now opened a new office in Denver, Colorado. This merged the offices in Kansas City and Dallas. The new location in Denver is strategically located that all customers can be easily reached. Here, projects in the business areas of mining and airport will be mainly managed. The new location offers space for around 35 workplaces. With this location, the BEUMER Group plans to expand further. “From strategically located Denver now we are very happy to offering our airport customers our baggage handling systems. With our comprehensive range of services, we are always there for our customers“, says David Delaney, Vice President and General Manager Airports Division North America at BEUMER. Furthermore, US customers from the mining business area will also benefit from the new company office. “Out of the new office now, we can look after our customers in the various industries even better”, said Daniel Uttelbach, Managing Director and Vice President Conveying & Loading Systems.
Johnson Controls names Mandeville to lead Corporate Development, drive M&A and partnership growth strategy
François Mandeville to lead M&A function and help drive business growth strategy Mandeville brings a wealth of corporate development leadership experience from Danaher and Agilent Technologies Johnson Controls, the global provider for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has announced that François Mandeville has joined the company as its Corporate Development Officer. Mandeville will play a lead role in the selection, execution, and integration of mergers and acquisitions that further the company’s business growth strategy. Mandeville reports to Johnson Controls Executive Vice President and CFO Olivier Leonetti and will work with Scott Simon, vice president, Corporate Development, on a smooth transition and handover as Simon continues to support Leonetti on a number of strategic activities throughout this fiscal year. “I am very excited about the skills, experience, and passion that François brings to Johnson Controls as we continue to advance our growth strategy, addressing the compelling market opportunity ahead and helping our customers meet important sustainability and decarbonization goals,” said Olivier Leonetti, CFO. “Johnson Controls is leading the digital transformation for Smart Buildings that is necessary to deliver on our vision for healthy people, places, and the planet, and Francois is ideally positioned to find and secure the best opportunities for us to continue that leadership for our customers.” “I want to thank Scott Simon for his vision and leadership in securing a strong and lasting foundation for Johnson Controls’ corporate development strategy,” added Leonetti. “Francois will build on our existing inorganic growth strategy that focuses on capturing new capabilities in services, digital technology, and high-growth vertical market opportunities, working with our leadership team to identify new high-value opportunities.” Mandeville is based at the company’s North American headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, responsible for the overall global corporate development team, including setting the direction, strategy, and governance for the function. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Mandeville most recently worked at Danaher Corporation as senior vice president, business development for the company’s life sciences platform. In this role, he was responsible for creating winning strategies that shaped the organic and inorganic growth of the business from $2.2 billion in 2011 to more than $15 billion in 2021. Before his career at Danaher, he worked 25 years at Agilent Technologies (a spin-off of Hewlett-Packard Company) leading R&D teams, new business incubation, M&A target identification, and integration in several industries including telecommunications testing, printing, chemical analysis and life sciences. Mandeville earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Ecole Polytechnique in Montréal, Canada.
Santana Equipment makes the Inc. 5000 list
Santana Equipment Trading Company, a provider in the used material handling equipment market, received the incredible honor of being named one of the top 5000 growing companies in the United States. Santana Equipment Headquarters (North Chicago) said they were greeted with an amazing message on August 10th. “We had received an email the beginning of July saying that we had made the Inc 5000 list,” said company president Nate Service, “This feat alone was awesome, but we wanted to know where we placed. This was our first time making the list, so we were anxious to see where we landed at.” As the Santana team watched the reveal presentation their rank was shown, and everyone was ecstatic! The Phoenix office VP Alex Stuckey recalls, “I open the announcement and it says #3349, and I couldn’t believe it! This is our first time on the list, and we were already higher than anticipated.” Every year Inc. puts out this list of the top 5000 fastest growing companies in the United States. In the past companies such as Dell, Microsoft, and Zillow have been on this esteemed list, and it is a great indicator of a company’s trajectory. Santana Equipment’s owner Eric Davidson exclaimed, “I’m so proud of our company for making this achievement happen! We owe a great deal of thanks to our customers, and partners. Thank you for trusting us and we look forward to continuing to meet and exceed your expectations.”
Manitowoc agrees to acquire Aspen Equipment Company
Further supports Manitowoc’s growth strategy in the U.S. The Manitowoc Company, Inc, a global manufacturer of cranes and lifting solutions, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Aspen Equipment, Company (“Aspen”), a diversified crane dealer and a leading final-stage, purpose-built work truck upfitter for approximately $51 million. The transaction is expected to close in September 2021 and is subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition will expand Manitowoc’s direct-to-customer footprint in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota with new sales, used sales, parts, service, and rentals to a variety of end markets. Aspen’s field support team brings industry-leading technical competencies and exceptional customer support. In addition, Aspen’s specialized crane and truck equipment upfitting capabilities provide greater depth of product offerings to a wider base of customers including loyal Manitowoc customers. “We are pleased to reach this mutually beneficial agreement with Aspen which will position Manitowoc closer to our end markets in the U.S. and complement our pending acquisition of H&E Equipment’s crane business. Aspen is a well-established, proven dealer with great upfitting capabilities which will fit great with Manitowoc’s National Crane boom truck product offering. We look forward to welcoming the Aspen team to the Manitowoc family. We expect this acquisition will be accretive to adjusted EBITDA in year one,” commented Aaron H. Ravenscroft, president and Chief Executive Officer of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. “Over the years, Aspen Equipment has developed numerous innovative lifting and final-configuration truck solutions for a variety of end customers. This customer-centric approach will provide Manitowoc a solid platform for growth,” concluded Mr. Ravenscroft.
Toyota’s Core Electric Turret Forklift receives Rental 2021 Editor’s Choice Award
The Core Electric Turret Forklift by Toyota Material Handling (TMH) has been recognized for its innovation and high customer value by Rental, a nationally recognized magazine serving rental equipment professionals. The publication named Toyota Material Handling’s Core Electric Turret Forklift as a recipient of a Rental 2021 Editor’s Choice Award. The 2021 Rental Editor’s Choice Awards represent the equipment rental industry’s best products gaining interest from end-users and rental professionals alike. Recipients like Toyota’s Turret Forklift were chosen by Rental’s editorial team based on factors including innovation, utility for the rental market, as well as audience engagement, including most clicks, page views, and inquiries on ForConstructionPros.com/Rental. “We are honored to be recognized with this award, and we believe it is an affirmation of our mission to provide industry-leading innovation and high-quality solutions that help all of our customers meet their most pressing challenges,” said Jeff Rufener, TMH President & CEO. Toyota’s Electric Turret Forklift is an innovative narrow-aisle solution for customers who are looking for ways to enhance their productivity and space utilization. It has a lift capacity of up to 2,500 pounds and a maximum reach of nearly 20 feet. Designed for versatile and efficient dock-to-stock operation, Toyota’s Turret Forklift combines high-capacity strength with narrow-aisle precision and agility. The swinging fork face allows loads to be handled to the left, right, and center of the forklift so that product can be stacked in racking without the need to turn. With the ability to maneuver in aisles as narrow as seven feet and the capability of stacking goods at a 90-degree angle, operators can manage heavy loads in the most condensed warehouse and storage facilities. The Tri-lateral head attachment provides smooth and precise operation during travel and load handling, thanks to built-in components that reduce impact at the end of the swing stop. “At Toyota, we’re always looking for ways to help customers optimize their operations for enhanced productivity and efficient space utilization. The Electric Turret Forklift is designed to do just that,” said Tony Miller, TMH Senior Vice President of Operations and Engineering. “This innovative product allows customers to reduce their aisle widths, add more racks, and drastically increase the storage capacity and overall volume of their operations.” Alexis Sheprak, Rental’s editor, says this year’s winning products represent a significant step forward in rental industry progress after a tough 2020, showcasing top-notch innovation, reliability, and quality from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers. “These products not only exhibit cutting-edge features but also offer innovative solutions to some of today’s most common problems, garnering interest from rental professionals on ForConstructionPros.com,” Sheprak said. Toyota’s Core Electric Turret Forklift utilizes a unique mast and turret attachment combination designed by Cascade Corporation. Customers will benefit from the thoughtful design, which allows for fast and efficient service to help reduce downtime and lower the overall cost of ownership.
MHS Robotics wins Robotics Innovation Award
Multi-pick end effector solution wins for pick-and-place robotics technology in logistics MHS, a single-source provider of material handling automation and software solutions, took home a 2021 RBR50 Innovation Award from Robotics Business Review for the multi-pick robotic end effector. Unlike end effectors that handle a single item at a time, the multi-pick robotic end effector from MHS Robotics can pick up and hold up to 36 items simultaneously and pack four orders at a time into four separate shipping boxes. The technology was originally developed for a distribution and fulfillment project packing e-commerce orders. Working as part of a goods-to-robot order fulfillment workflow, the solution offers a throughput rate of up to 90,000 pieces picked and 42,000 orders fulfilled per day. This capability makes it a strong fit for distribution and fulfillment operations with large amounts of multi-item orders to fulfill, such as multi-packs of consumer goods, office supplies, and more. “Logistics processes are under pressure to meet faster service levels and overcome labor challenges,” says Dean Terrell, senior vice president, research and development, MHS. “With robotic solutions like the multi-pick end-effector, we partner with customers to engineer automated solutions ready to integrate seamlessly and meet real-world challenges, like reducing dependence on a shaky labor pool or boosting output.” The multi-pick end-effector is one of several pick-and-place robotic products the company currently offers, each designed to fit seamlessly into existing sortation and order fulfillment workflows in distribution centers. MHS Robotics also offers autonomous mobile robot solutions, including options like detachable carts, robotic arms, and conveyor supplements to handle specific requirements like large and irregularly shaped items. The multi-pick robotic solution relies on computer vision and advanced artificial intelligence to manage incoming order requirements and use the 36 individual graspers to buffer and ultimately pick and pack orders. MHS Robotics develops advanced technologies in-house and in collaboration with the University of Louisville Speed Industry Research and Innovation team and the Louisville Automation and Robotics Institute. The company also engages a range of independent robotics suppliers to develop and deploy robotic solutions for a range of applications.
Cisco-Eagle promotes Cameron Wilson to Oklahoma Sales Director
Cisco-Eagle has promoted Cameron Wilson to Oklahoma Director of Sales according to James Murphy, Vice-President of Sales. Wilson, who has worked as an account executive in Oklahoma City since 2018, will be responsible for maintaining and growing the market and customer base in Oklahoma in our Tulsa and Oklahoma City offices in his new role. Wilson is a 2016 Friends University in Kansas in Marketing. He joined Cisco-Eagle the same year in a digital marketing role, where he managed products on the Cisco-Eagle website and contributed to digital marketing efforts and strategies. “Cameron is an exceptional employee-owner, and he proved that in both his marketing and sales roles. I’m confident that he will help our Oklahoma sales group continue to thrive as we move ahead,” said Vice President of Sales James Murphy. “His deep understanding of our systems and processes and work in multiple roles gives him a unique perspective that will help him serve our customers better than ever before.”
Caster Concepts appoints Doug Backinger VP of Sales
Caster Concepts Inc., a global manufacturer of industrial wheels and casters, announced Jackson native Doug Backinger as their vice president of sales. “Doug has provided great leadership for the sales team during some very challenging times,” said William Dobbins, president of Caster Concepts. While not a lifelong salesperson, his engineering background provides great value to the team and customers. I am thrilled that Doug has accepted this next level of challenge. I know this will be great for all our stakeholders.” Committed to fostering local talent, Caster Concepts first engaged Backinger, a native of Jackson, Mich., as a college intern in 2004 and then as a full-time member of its engineering team while completing both a bachelor’s and master’s in engineering and manufacturing. For the past 10 years, Backinger has led the Quality Department at Caster Concepts while leading ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certifications for Aerol, the company’s latest acquisition. Since January 2020, Backinger served as the director of sales, shaping the company’s marketing efforts to meet customer needs and expectations. “I am excited to help Caster Concepts drive business growth for the next 10 years and beyond, Backinger said. “Being part of these accomplishments for almost two decades is amazing. I look forward to developing strategies that continue to leverage our team’s competitive advantage in custom heavy-duty and ergonomic casters for the aerospace and automotive industries.” Backinger’s appointment is the second major management announcement from Caster Concepts this year. In July, the company promoted Andrew Dobbins from general manager to vice president of manufacturing for the company and its six associated businesses. Both appointments mark a major turning point for the company founded more than 30 years ago. Today, Caster Concepts stands as one of the leaders in caster manufacturing for the automotive, aviation, aerospace, and material-handling industries. “I have worked closely with Doug over the past eight years on the leadership team, and his well-deserved promotion positions the company for sustainability for the future,” said Andrew Dobbins.
Kamon Distribution Group celebrates 50th anniversary
Kaman Distribution, a value-added distributor of bearings, power transmission, automation, and fluid power products, celebrates its milestone of 50 years in business. Kaman Distribution was founded in 1971 as Kaman Bearing & Supply, Inc. by Charles H. Kaman. Throughout the years, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions; expanding its reach into the Automation and Fluid Power markets. Today the company employs approximately 2,000 employees and has over 220 locations in the US, including Puerto Rico, and is a critical partner to approximately 50,000 customers and 10,000 suppliers. Kaman Distribution’s mission is to deliver the greatest total value to make our customers more productive, more competitive, and more profitable. We accomplish this by having the most technically talented product application team members, intensely focusing on customer service and support, and by continuously improving our business processes and expanding our product offering. We provide customers with product expertise for maintaining, upgrading, and improving their production processes. “Kaman Distribution provides customers with exceptional service because of the dedication of our valued and experienced personnel,” said Ben Mondics, president and CEO of Kaman Distribution. “We appreciate the hard work from all our employees throughout the years, who have contributed to our success, as we reach this milestone of 50 years in the business.”
Seegrid CEO dedicates Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 East Central Award to company founder Hans Moravec
Autonomous mobile robot provider attributes win to collective team with a passion for creating a better future Seegrid Corporation, the provider in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, announced that Jim Rock, Seegrid’s chief executive officer, dedicated his 2021 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year East Central Award to Seegrid founder and chief scientist, Hans Moravec. Ernst & Young announced Rock as an award winner for the East Central region last week based on the program’s evaluation criteria that include entrepreneurial leadership, talent management, financial performance, societal impact, values, originality, innovation, and future plans. “Hans’ lifelong passion for creating intelligent machines that help humanity is the cornerstone of Seegrid’s purpose,” said Rock. “His decisive moments, innovative risk-taking, and dedication to elevating human potential continue to inspire Seegrid’s culture and accomplishments.” World-renowned roboticist Moravec spent decades perfecting innovative approaches to robot perception and navigation at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University. Moravec founded Seegrid in 2003, and now the company has grown to encompass more than 350 diverse individuals who are collectively dedicated to building upon Moravec’s lifelong goal of elevating human potential through next-generation autonomous mobile robots and enterprise software. The company operates with a culture that promotes working and winning together which reflects the team’s collective years of hard work, dedication, and persistence. The Ernst & Young award follows a year of fast-tracked growth for Seegrid. The company recently announced multiple new products, including the Palion Tow Tractor, Palion Pallet Truck, Palion Lift AMR, and Fleet Geek™ analytics software. Seegrid continues to advance its artificial intelligence technology which is built on Moravec’s breakthrough vision-based technology, allowing Palion AMRs to see, understand, and learn. With a visionary mindset, Seegrid remains committed to delivering solutions that transform the world’s supply chain, autonomously moving material as safely, effectively, and efficiently as possible. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors unstoppable business leaders whose ambition, ingenuity, and courage in the face of adversity help catapult society from the now to next and beyond. As a regional award winner, Rock is eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be announced on November 13, 2021. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2022. “Seegrid has an entire team of unstoppable entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in propelling Seegrid forward every day,” said Rock. “This award puts a spotlight on our team’s unique ability to automate material flow safely, productively, for better outcomes for our customers, the community, and the global supply chain. We continue to thoughtfully look forward to the future and how we can advance automated material handling.”
American PERMALIGHT® welcomes Maria Xavier to their team
American PERMALIGHT® Inc. has announced its recent hire of Maria Xavier, who officially joined the organization in June 2021. She will serve as Sales and Project Specialist, with a focus on growing relationships within the life safety industries that the company supports. Maria is a subject matter expert who provides tremendous value through American PERMALIGHT® Inc.’s Educate & Inspire approach that establishes a sustainable competitive advantage and is mutually beneficial for both organizations. She will facilitate professional and organizational growth within your business while acting as your accountability partner to ensure that you stay committed to achieving your goals and objectives. Maria said, “Joining American PERMALIGHT® has raised my awareness of safety and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. American PERMALIGHT®’s mission in the life safety industry aligns with my career goals and values, and I’m happy to be part of an organization that guides people to safety and saves lives. I am excited to learn and grow in my role as a Sales and Project Specialist and proud to be part of the American PERMALIGHT® team.”
American PERMALIGHT® welcomes Alexis Hinckley to their team
American PERMALIGHT® Inc. is pleased to announce its recent hire of Alexis Hinckley, who officially joined the organization in June 2021. She will serve as Sales and Project Specialist, with a focus on growing relationships within the life safety industries that the company supports. Alexis is a subject matter expert who provides tremendous value through American PERMALIGHT® Inc.’s Educate & Inspire approach that establishes a sustainable competitive advantage and is mutually beneficial for both organizations. She will facilitate professional and organizational growth within your business while acting as your accountability partner to ensure that you stay committed to achieving your goals and objectives. Alexis says, “Since joining American PERMALIGHT® I have learned so much about the life safety industry. American PERMALIGHT®, directly and indirectly, saves people’s lives every day by improving the safety standards in buildings and homes across the nation, and this is the main reason why I wanted to join this organization. I’m excited for my journey with American PERMALIGHT® and look forward to Educating and Inspiring our customers about life safety.”
Miller Fabrication Solutions named to FAB 40 for the Fourth Consecutive Year
The annual list recognizes the nation’s most successful metal fabricating operations Miller Fabrication Solutions, a strategic metal fabrication partner for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across construction and forestry, transportation, engine and turbine equipment, and other heavy industries, has been named to The FABRICATOR® magazine’s 2021 FAB 40 list for the fourth year in a row. The annual FABRICATOR list identifies the top 40 most successful U.S.-based metal fabricating operations, as determined by the previous year’s revenue and other reported company information. Companies that earn most of their revenue from contract and custom manufacturing involving sheet metal and plate fabrication are eligible for inclusion on the list. “COVID-19 created challenges for fabricators nationwide,” said Miller’s president, Eric D. Miller. “We used the pandemic as an opportunity to retain our workforce majority, make capital investments, load level product, onboard new OEM projects and concentrate on our strategic initiatives. Inclusion for the fourth consecutive year on The FABRICATOR®s’s annual list of the most successful OEM metal fabricating operations in the United States underscores the payoff that has come – and is anticipated to come – from those actions. We are honored to continue to be named to this prestigious list.” Miller Fabrication Solutions has three plant facilities in western Pennsylvania that provide a broad range of manufacturing and value-added solutions, including 2021 FAB 40 list, machining, coating, and finishing, assembly, inventory management and control, logistics optimization, value analysis/value engineering, on-time production scheduling and capacity management. Access the company’s gallery of completed and ongoing projects by visiting www.millerfabricationsolutions.com/gallery today.
BakerCorp rebrands to United Rentals
BakerCorp, a fluid solution provider has announced that it will be rebranded under the United Rentals name starting September 1, 2021. “We are excited to become United Rentals and offer our customers a wider range of solutions under one powerful umbrella,” said Jurgen Verschoor, Region Vice President. “Building on our nearly 80-year BakerCorp legacy, as United Rentals we remain committed to safety, quality, service, and rapid response.” As United Rentals, the company also announced a product expansion to include power rental solutions. Diesel generators, fuel tanks, distribution boards, and cables will be added to its core offerings which include tanks, pumps, and filtration. “We have an aggressive expansion plan to build from our core fluid solutions offerings,” said Verschoor. “We are adding power solutions with new equipment, new branches, and a team of experts to allow us to better serve our customers.” BakerCorp was acquired by United Rentals in 2018. The rebrand will align all European branch operations with United Rentals business, which also operates in the United States and Canada.
Rob Smith to succeed Gordon Riske as CEO of KION GROUP AG
Supervisory Board has appointed Rob Smith as CEO with effect from January 1, 2022 Gordon Riske will leave the Executive Board on December 31, 2021, and will continue to serve the company as an advisor until June 30, 2022 Supervisory Board Chairman Michael Macht on Rob Smith: “A top manager who brings broad experience in global capital goods companies to continue KION’s growth strategy.” Rob Smith, a U.S and German citizen, will become the new Chief Executive Officer of KION GROUP AG. The Supervisory Board of the MDAX-listed intralogistics group has appointed the 56-year-old to succeed long-serving Chief Executive Officer Gordon Riske, effective January 01, 2022, with the usual three-year contract term for initial appointments. Riske will leave the Executive Board on December 31, 2021 – six months before the end of his contract on reaching the regular age limit of 65. He will continue to serve his successor and the company as an advisor during the period until his original contract expires. “We are very pleased to have gained one of the highest-profile global top managers in the capital goods industry with proven capital market, M&A as well as digitalization experience for the KION Group. Rob Smith brings all the experience and leadership to seamlessly continue the KION Group’s growth strategy,” said Michael Macht, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “I am grateful to Gordon Riske for actively contributing to a smooth, long-term succession after 14 very successful years at the helm of the Group.” Rob Smith said, “For many years, I have followed the KION Group’s successful journey under Gordon Riske’s leadership. As one of the market leaders, the company since its foundation has been defining the development of its industry, which is shaped by the megatrends of automation, digitalization, and energy. My goal is to provide our customers with decisive competitive advantages through leading products, solutions, and services, thus continuing the impressive success of the KION Group with full commitment and energy. I am very much looking forward to working with the Supervisory Board, with my new colleagues on the Executive Board, and with all 38,000 women and men in the KION family to lead this very successful and strong industrial Group in its next phase of growth. This exciting company has enormous potential for the future.” Rob Smith is currently president & CEO of the publicly listed Finnish group Konecranes, an international manufacturer of industrial cranes and container port automation. From 2013 to 2019, he was Senior Vice President & General Manager Europe, Africa, and Middle East of the global agricultural machinery company AGCO Corporation. Prior to that, he held management positions in automotive supply and capital goods companies in the U.S., France, and Germany. Smith holds a BSE in Systems Engineering from Princeton University, an MBA in International Operations & Finance from the University of Texas at Austin – Red McCombs School of Business. He earned his Dr.rer.pol. degree from the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management after graduating with a master’s degree in business administration and a dissertation on supply chain management. At the end of July, the KION Group reported significantly improved results in all key performance indicators for the first half of 2021 compared with last year’s same period. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the Group achieved strong growth in order intake and revenue with a significantly over proportional improvement in earnings, to which both segments, Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) and Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), contributed. Combined with a positive outlook for 2021 as a whole in line with the current forecasts for the global economy and, in particular, the KION Group’s emerging positive revenue performance for the remainder of the year, the KION Group also increased its forecast targets for 2021 as a whole.
OneCharge appoints Suarez as Western Regional VP
OneCharge Inc., a provider of lithium batteries for the material handling industry, announced that it has appointed David Suarez as the Western Regional Vice President. OneCharge has named David Suarez as the Western Regional Vice President, reporting to Mark D’Amato, Vice President of Sales. He comes to OneCharge with more than 20 years of experience in mobile power across numerous industries, including underground mining, energy storage, and telecom, among others. Before joining the OneCharge team, Suarez held sales and sales leadership roles with companies such as Interstate Batteries, EnerSys, Voltabox of North America, and recently Green Cubes Technology. “I am excited to work with the leadership team on driving clean, safe, and efficient solutions to the markets we serve,”- says Suarez. “The culture aligns with the mission here at OneCharge. Manufacture the best product, provide the best customer experience, all while delivering efficient and clean solutions. Through innovative tools and best-in-class engineering, we are doing our part to accelerate the adoption of lithium-ion.” added Suarez. Tim Karimov, president at OneCharge, says: “We are very happy to have David on board. His expertise and personal energy are a good fit for the team and business. Creation of this role is in an important step forward for the company development strategy.”
Yale celebrates 2020 Dealer of Excellence Award winners
Yale Materials Handling Corporation announces winners of the 2020 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 dealership, including expert industry knowledge and dedication to customer support. 2020 Dealer of Excellence Recipients: Alta Western Michigan Berry Material Handling Black Equipment – North Burns Equipment Pittsburgh Eastern Lift Truck – MD/DC/DE Eastern Lift Truck – South NJ/Philadelphia Fairchild Equipment WI North Medley Material Handling MH Equipment – Iowa MH Equipment – Ohio North Northland Industrial Truck Co. (NITCO) Riekes Equipment Tynan Equipment Briggs Equipment Mexico “Our entrepreneurial, exclusive dealer network provides us with a distinct competitive advantage,” says Bob Sattler, Vice President of Dealer Business Development. “These dealers have demonstrated their willingness to continuously enhance capabilities from customer support to safety, to out-perform in this demanding industry landscape.” Dealer of Excellence recipients attended a celebration in June at The Lodge at Sea Island in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Women In Trucking Association names 2021 Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation
Redefining the Road magazine, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), announced the recipients of the 2021 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation” list. The list was created to recognize women in leadership and encourage more women to become proactive leaders in their organizations – and even start their own businesses, according to WIT president and CEO Ellen Voie. The program supports WIT’s overall mission: To encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize the obstacles they face. Entrepreneurship is a viable means of economic self-sufficiency, and many women are choosing an enterprise connected to transportation to be part of their career aspirations, according to Brian Everett, publisher of Redefining the Road magazine. Criteria used to identify qualified applicants include majority ownership by a woman, financial stability and growth, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Each company was nominated and chosen based upon business success and accomplishments–including those related to gender diversity. The list is comprised of companies from a diverse range of business sectors in the commercial freight transportation marketplace, including motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, and original equipment manufacturers. Companies named to the 2021 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses” list and the primary female business owners are: AGT Global Logistics (Angela Eliacostas) Aria Logistics (Arelis Gutierrez) Bennett Family of Companies (Marcia G. Taylor) Brenny Transportation (Joyce Brenny) Candor Expedite (Nicole Glenn) Conversion Interactive Agency (Kelley Walkup) Garner Trucking (Sherri Garner Brumbaugh) K & J Trucking (Michelle Koch, Sharon Koch Estate, Jessica Mitacek) Kenco (Jane Kennedy Greene) Knichel Logistics (Kristy Knichel) Powersource Transportation (Barb Bakos) Rihm Family Companies (Kari Rihm) S-2international (Jennifer Mead) Sunset Transportation (Lindsey Graves) Topel’s Towing Service/Topel Truck Center (Michelle Sukow) United Federal Logistics (Jennifer Behnke) Veriha Trucking (Karen Smerchek)
Hyster recognizes the highest performing dealers of 2020
The 2020 Dealer of Distinction award goes to 21 top-performing Hyster® dealers, recognizing their strong commitment to materials handling excellence and customer satisfaction. “Hyster dealers are passionate about the lift truck industry and support customers as the strongest partners possible – especially in an unprecedented year,” says Bob Sattler, Vice President, Dealer Business Development. “The Dealer of Distinction award recognizes all-around excellence, and our dealers continue to rise to the occasion, from the well-being of associates and a bold, entrepreneurial spirit to exceptional customer satisfaction and business performance.” Dealer of Distinction recipients are evaluated on a variety of business practice and performance criteria, updated annually to account for changing customer and industry demands. Winning dealers attended a special awards ceremony at The Lodge at Sea Island in St. Simons Island, Georgia. 2020 Dealer of Distinction Recipients Eastern Lift Truck – MD/DC/DE Deep South Equipment – Louisiana Gregory Poole – North Carolina Gregory Poole – Virginia LiftOne – North Carolina LiftOne – South Carolina LiftOne – West TN MH Equipment – Illinois MH Equipment – Iowa MH Equipment – Kentucky MH Equipment – Ohio South MH Equipment – Indianapolis Northland Industrial Truck Co. (NITCO) Papé MH – Central Washington Papé MH – Eugene, OR Papé MH – Fremont, CA Papé MH – Portland, OR Papé MH – Seattle, WA Papé MH – Spokane, WA LMA – Argentina Tattersall – Maquinarias SA