Women In Trucking Vice President named to Wreaths Across America Board of Directors
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced that its vice president, Debbie Sparks, has been named to the Wreaths Across America board of directors. Her nomination was unanimously accepted on May 13, 2021. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor, and teach about veterans. While veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, and livestock trailers, professional drivers and trucks transport most of the fresh, balsam-fir wreaths to more than 2,500 participating locations and Arlington National Cemetery. Sparks was named vice president of WIT in January 2020 and has been actively leading a number of initiatives, including WIT’s driver ambassador program, launching the association’s local chapter program, streamlining a mentorship program, and several other initiatives. “Debbie is a long-time supporter of the mission to remember, honor, and teach, and she understands the impact the trucking industry has in the program’s success each year,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We are thrilled that she will be joining our board of directors to lend her expertise and experience to help us move forward the mission of the association.” “Debbie has had a passion for Wreaths Across America and we support her continued efforts to serve them in a director position,” said Ellen Voie, president, CEO and founder of WIT. “She will bring to the board her passion, experience, and commitment to honoring our nation’s veterans.”
Toyota Material Handling presents 750,000th forklift to Carter Express during special ceremony
Toyota Material Handling and its local dealer – Kenco Toyota-Lift – presented the 750,000th forklift to be built in the U.S. to customer Carter Express Last month, Toyota Material Handling (TMH) reached a manufacturing milestone with the production of the 750,000th forklift to roll off the line at the company’s 1.5 million-square-foot factory located in Columbus, Indiana. On Thursday, TMH and its local dealer – Kenco Toyota-Lift – presented the forklift and a commemorative key to customer Carter Express during a special ceremony at Carter’s training facility in Huntsville, Alabama. “On behalf of Toyota Material Handling, I want to extend my appreciation to Carter Express for selecting us as your material handling partner,” TMH Vice President of Engineering Josh Linnemann told the audience. “It is loyal customers like you that allow us the opportunity to celebrate this event today.” Carter Express, an end-to-end supply chain management company based in Anderson, Indiana, is the in-plant logistics provider for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), a joint venture automobile manufacturing factory located in Huntsville. “It’s really an honor to have the opportunity to host an event like this, especially with a customer like Carter Express that’s so connected to Toyota on both the material handling and automotive side,” said Kenco Toyota-Lift president Jeff Burns. Carter Express will deploy the 750,000th Toyota forklift and more than 100 other units at MTM’s $2.3B facilities where the recently announced Toyota Corolla Cross SUV will be built. MTM also plans to manufacture electric vehicles at the plant in the future. “For well over 10 years, Toyota Material Handling has been our forklift manufacturer of choice,” said Carter Express president & CEO Jessica Paugh Warnke. “We have Toyota to thank for a lot of our growth. We’re excited to be here to celebrate this amazing achievement by Toyota Material Handling. We are very proud to be the recipient of this 750,000th forklift manufactured here in the United States, and specifically our home state of Indiana. “Business runs best and is really at its most fun when you can create mutually beneficial partnerships with your vendors and customers. We’re so blessed to have that sort of partnership with Toyota Material Handling and Kenco Toyota-Lift.” The 750,000th forklift is an electric model launched by TMH last year, and the first to be completely designed and developed by TMH’s engineering team in Columbus. The model offers limitless special designs to meet wide-ranging customer demands. “By engineering products closer to our customers, we ensure their voices are heard, and their needs are reflected in every detail of our designs,” said Linnemann, who led the development of this electric model.
Steel King announces 2020 Most Valuable Dealer Award
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Cisco-Eagle wins the warehouse, logistics, material handling industry honor Steel King Industries®, a manufacturer of storage rack and material handling products, announces that Cisco-Eagle Incorporated, a material handling systems and equipment provider, has won their Most Valuable Dealer Award for 2020 activity. To earn this honor in 2020 is particularly impressive, due to the challenges brought on by the worldwide pandemic. Cisco-Eagle, with partner locations in Texas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), Oklahoma (Tulsa, Oklahoma City), and Arkansas (Little Rock), enjoys elite status as a Steel King Excalibur dealer located in Tennessee (Nashville). The MVD award was launched in 1996 by Steel King to recognize the achievement of top channel partners in the warehouse, logistics, material handling, and facility management industry. A variety of factors were considered in determining the MVD, including the achievement of sales and marketing action items. When asked to comment on the honor, Darein Gandall, Cisco-Eagle president, stated, “Cisco-Eagle has been in business for over 50 years, and for over 40 years we have partnered with Steel King. It is one of our best partnerships. To be chosen as their most valuable dealer is a huge honor for us! Steel King places a premium on partnership and so do we.” Don Heemstra, Steel King VP Sales added, “We congratulate Cisco-Eagle on achieving Most Valuable Dealer status for 2020, the seventh time they have achieved this. For a company to show year-over-year growth and position themselves as an industry leader with their sales and marketing efforts is impressive, especially as it was achieved during a worldwide pandemic. Our hats are off to Cisco-Eagle leadership and all their employee-owners. Well done.” Celebrating 50 years in business, Steel King Industries has earned a national reputation for engineering and manufacturing high-quality material handling solutions that are “Built To Deliver®” and “Built To Last”.
Wolter Group rebrands as WOLTER
To better reflect the collective offerings of its member companies and brands, Wolter Group, LLC announced it is rebranding the company and its eight sub-brands as Wolter, an industrial solutions provider focused on accelerating productivity for its customers. Sub-brands Wisconsin Lift Truck, Illinois Material Handling, Ellis Systems, Wolter Power Systems, Kensar Equipment Company, Bohnert Equipment Company, A D Lift Truck, and Fleet Services will all operate under the Wolter name. “We’ve come a long way since our CEO and founder, Otto J. Wolter started Wisconsin Lift Truck in a two-car garage in 1962,” says Jerry Weidmann, president, Wolter. “By constantly assessing our customers’ needs and assembling resources to support them, we’ve experienced exponential growth. We’ve expanded beyond traditional material handling to offer broader products and solutions across a continually increasing geographic footprint. As the next step in our evolution, we’re unifying our brands and companies under a single name: Wolter.” Reimagining Work Flow via an Expanding Productivity Toolbox Wolter operates 15 locations and now serves customers in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri. From new and used material handling equipment, service, and training to robotics and automation, overhead cranes and hoists, standby power and generators, railcar movers, industrial storage and handling, workplace storage, complete engineered systems, and more, Wolter is focused on improving operational productivity for its customers. “While our growth has brought many changes over the years, we’ve remained true to our customer focus and our values as a family-owned business,” says Weidmann. “We’re honoring that tradition by retaining the Wolter name and looking toward the future with a new tagline: Accelerate Your Productivity. In this rapidly changing industry, it captures the value we bring to customers through our collective strengths and consultative approach,” he adds. The company will transition its marketing and business materials to the new Wolter brand throughout 2021, and its new brand will become fully effective in January 2022. To explore the brand evolution, visit WeAreWolter.com. Expert Resources and a Holistic Approach Wolter’s knowledgeable team combines resources from its diverse product brands across multiple categories and industries to create innovative solutions. And when it comes to equipment service, Wolter technicians work on every make, model, and type of lift truck, as well as railcar movers, other material handling equipment, and industrial engines and generators. With an average tenure of 14 years, technicians are required to complete 80 hours of training per year, more than any other dealer in the industry. As part of its strategic growth and diversification plan, the company has acquired five businesses in four states during the past two years. New offerings include overhead cranes and hoists, railcar movers, and wholesale equipment. Weidmann adds, “By continually offering new and better ways to optimize operational productivity for our customers, we are helping them reimagine what is possible.”
National Monitoring Center celebrates 20-Year Anniversary
National Monitoring Center, a third-party monitoring center, proudly announces the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding. In those years, NMC has evolved from a single 10,000 square foot facility to two fully redundant leading-edge monitoring centers located in California and Texas. “We are thrilled and honored to have reached this milestone,” said Woodie Andrawos, president of, National Monitoring Center. “Our longevity in the monitoring business is testimony to our continuing investments in technology, personnel, and relationship-building. Our customers have always been our first priority, and this objective has informed every step we have taken as an organization.” NMC was founded in June 2001, shortly before the events of 9/11 changed the country and the security industry forever. Beginning in January 2002 with their first 150 accounts operating out of California, the company continued to grow rapidly over the next several years. 2007 marked one of many significant milestones when NMC built a second central station in Texas mirroring the California facility and allowing for full redundancy and geodiversity to better serve their customers. Over the next several years NMC continued to update and evolve its facilities and offerings, building a new center in California in 2013 to house monitoring, support, and education operations. In 2018, the company merged with Netwatch, opening up new business opportunities and bringing a vital new offering, Proactive Video Monitoring, to their customers. In 2021, with the business has grown to hundreds of thousands of accounts, NMC continues to lead the industry in delivering monitoring services that proactively protect users while supporting business development objectives for dealers. “This continues to be an exciting industry, with the fast-moving technology that helps people and organizations maintain a lower risk profile,” said Andrawos. “We’re looking forward to our next 20 years.”
Women In Trucking Association announces its June 2021 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Casey Stone as its June 2021 Member of the Month. Casey is the customer solutions manager for Specialized Heavy Transport in Michigan. Casey has been in the logistics field for over six years. She has served many roles within the company prior to her current position with Specialized Heavy Transport. With her empathic talent, the thrill of serving others, and ability to build strong positive relationships, she is excited to work in her current role. As the customer solutions manager, Casey helps businesses of all sizes solve problems within their freight departments while building trust with them all along the way. She strongly encourages the relationships needed between clients and carriers within the trucking industry. Teaching other women in the industry about relationship building is a passion for Casey. “I truly believe that selling is no longer about the end goal of getting that sale. Rather, it is always about the beginning goal of building trust,” she said. Casey notes that the trucking and logistics industry has always had some challenges around building relationships, especially for women. She suggests addressing those challenges in the following ways: 1. Find a common interest prior to calling a prospect. Check the prospects’ social media accounts! 2. Always focus on the truth, not the sale. 3. Be the problem solver, not the product pusher. Before joining the industry, Casey was (and still is) a Reiki Practitioner, Massage Therapist, and Aromatherapist. When she is not working with a client, she enjoys spending time with her five children and her seven-year-old grandson.
Valentine to lead Hytrol’s academic partnerships
Christy Valentine has joined Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. as the company’s Manager of Academic Partnerships. Valentine will run Hytrol’s Academic Partnership initiative, working closely with universities, colleges, vocational schools, and K-12 institutions to build a diverse influx of talent for Hytrol, helping to improve workforce development and community outreach. “Christy is an exceptional addition to our Hytrol team,” said Vice President of Corporate Development Bob West. “She will create lasting relationships with our community partners and push forward Hytrol’s promise to promote STEM learning and manufacturing training.” Valentines comes to Hytrol with over 25 years of experience in higher education and non-profit fundraising. She has previously served as executive director of marketing and communications at Arkansas State and chief development officer for the Soulsville Foundation in Memphis, Tenn. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and MBA from Arkansas State University. “I look forward to being an ambassador for Hytrol and introducing a new generation of students and your adults to the vast opportunities we offer. I am excited to join an organization with such an incredible legacy and to work directly with our community partners to cultivate a thriving, dynamic workforce,” said Valentine. To learn more about the benefits of academic partnerships, click here.
GNCO (Towlift Inc.) acquires Cromer Material Handling
Cromer Material Handling has been acquired by GNCO, the parent company of several material handling dealerships, including Towlift Inc., a major distributor headquartered in Ohio. Towlift operates across several Midwestern states, providing much of the same forklift brands and equipment that Cromer does. GNCO also owns a range of other companies that serve the material handling industry including warehousing, fleet management, forklift parts & service, technician, and forklift operating training…you name it. “I’ve known the guys at Towlift for years now; they’re good people. When we started talking about a sale, I admit, I was skeptical. I’ve spent 30 years building up my business. I’d only sell if it gave me a chance to do more, said Marshall Cromer “the Forklift Boss”. “The more we talked, the more I realized such a sale would work. Towlift wasn’t interested in making big changes to our team or our inventory. They want to do the same thing I want: Go Bigger!” No financial information has been disclosed of the deal.
MHS Lift Awards Third-Annual College Scholarship to Camden Teen
Boys & Girls Club of Camden County member to study at Rowan University in the fall MHS Lift, a national provider of warehousing and distribution solutions, recently revealed that 18-year-old Camden resident Tamiah Williams is the fourth recipient in three years to be awarded the MHS Lift Scholarship Fund, a full scholarship to Rowan University. Established in 2019 by Andy and Brett Levin, brothers and co-owners of MHS Lift, the MHS Lift Scholarship Fund, in partnership with Rowan University, provides full academic support, including books, room, and board, to a Camden high school graduate entering Rowan in the fall. The student must also be an active member of the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County (BGCCC), a full-time resident of Camden, and have demonstrated financial need. The Fund’s first recipient was Amir King, Jr. Last year, the scholarship was divided among two Camden teens, Julianna Hilton and Jessica Rodriguez. Williams, who will graduate from Urban Promise Academy this spring, has been actively involved with the BGCCC’s after-school program for seven years, where her favorite activities have been the DASH Program and a teen Cooking Class. A standout student and Club member, Williams was also recognized as the BGCCC’s 2021 Youth of the Year. “Tamiah Williams is an outstanding young woman and my brother Brett and I could not be happier to help her achieve her dream of attending Rowan University,” said Andy Levin, president of MHS Lift. “Personally, and professionally, my brother and I have always been huge supporters of BGCCC and the work and programs they do for the children of Camden. We at MHS Lift are just pleased to be a small part of their larger goal.” Once the shock of winning wore off, Williams shared the happy news with her dad, with whom she cried “tears of joy” over this “amazing opportunity.” “This (scholarship) opportunity will help me in a lot of ways in the future,” Williams said. “Instead of having to worry about where I’m going to find the money to pay for my four years of college, I can now focus on just going to school and enjoying this new journey. Plus, this will also allow me to start saving up money for grad school and any other class and course I may need to take.” “What Brett and Andy and MHS Lift are doing for students such as Tamiah Williams is not just an example of humble generosity, but a life-altering gift for students who otherwise may never have had the chance to continue on to higher education,” said Joseph Delgado, senior director of development, William G. Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University. Williams will be the first in her family to go to college. She plans to study biology with a long-term ambition of focusing on animal health. She proudly admits that the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County taught her skills and life lessons beyond those merely gleaned in the classroom. Her inspiring message to other kids is this: “You can do anything with the right attitude and the right amount of effort.”
3PL Warehousing Professionals elected to IWLA
New Jersey Exec named Chairman of the Board Members of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), the resource for warehouse logistics, recently elected Jared Stadlin, president, Linden Warehouse and Distribution Co. Inc., Linden, N.J., as the association’s 2021-2022 chairman. IWLA is the only supply chain industry association focused solely on the needs of third-party warehousing providers. “Jared Stadlin’s unique background in law and logistics are a valuable asset to the 3PL industry and to IWLA,” says IWLA President & CEO Steve DeHaan. “His work with the IWLA Insurance & Legal Committee helped us better define the industry’s standard terms and conditions – and he drove the creation of new benefits for all warehouse members. He also continues to help regulators and legislators understand the importance of warehouse logistics by participating in the IWLA Government Affairs Program.” Stadlin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a doctor of law for New York University. Stadlin previously served as the association’s vice-chairman. He succeeds Leslie Ajlouny, CMO, Evans Distribution Systems, Melvindale, Mich. “My involvement [in IWLA] is simply an opportunity to spend time working with and for individuals I respect, and whose company I enjoy,” Stadlin says. IWLA members also elected other officers: Vice-Chairman: Scott Mayfield, President & CAO, Kenco Logistic Services, Chattanooga, Tenn. Convention Officer: Peter Wilson, Chairman & CEO, Sonwil Distribution Center, Buffalo, N.Y. Secretary/Treasurer: Daryl Lester, Vice President & Partner, Simtech Supply Chain Management, London, Ontario, Canada These directors also join the board for the 2021-2022 association year: Carol Keup, COO, Valley Distribution & Storage Company, Wilkes Barre, Pa. Tom Landry, President, Allegiance Staffing, Spring, Texas (Partner Representative) Seth Schmedemann, President, Fulcrum Logistics, Portland, Ore. Stadlin will lead the postponed 2021 IWLA Convention & Expo Nov. 1-3, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. He will remain IWLA chairman until the 2022 IWLA Convention & Expo, May. 2-4, 2022, in Amelia Island, Fla.
Local employers receive National Recognition, Awards at PLASTICS 2021 Spring Meeting
The PLASTICS Industry Association (PLASTICS) this week announced the winners of its first annual PLASTICS Member Engagement Awards as part of the association’s 2021 Spring Meeting. The meeting gathered plastics experts from across America to share best practices, hear from industry and government leaders and gain valuable insights from PLASTICS specialists on economics and government affairs. The awards were presented by Tony Radoszewski, president and CEO of PLASTICS in recognition of association members who have shown exceptional dedication to the goals and mission of the plastics industry. “It is extremely important to recognize members who have provided outstanding service to the association and to the industry overall,” said Radoszewski. “The PLASTICS Member Engagement Awards are an opportunity to provide that well-deserved recognition this year and in years to come.” Awards were presented to the following: Ultra-Poly Corporation (Portland, PA) Kevin Cronin, Vice President of Sustainability and R&D at Ultra-Poly and 2021 chair of the PLASTICS Recycling Committee, was recognized for becoming quickly and wholeheartedly involved with the association, including a case study focused on Ultra-Poly’s innovative recycling program for automobile bumper fascia. “It’s always energizing to work with smart and dedicated people, and my experience representing Ultra-Poly at PLASTICS has allowed me to do just that,” Cronin said. “We have an opportunity as a company to join a number of different organizations and the responsibility of recommending which one fell to me,” Cronin said. “PLASTICS, I believe, made the most sense. We have not looked back on that, even a little bit. We continue to remain engaged. It’s a great pleasure, very humbling really, to receive this award.” “The bumper recycling program demonstrates the commitment the industry and the association has to developing novel and viable recycling programs to reduce the negative impact of plastic solid waste,” said Cronin. Zeiger Industries (Canton, OH) Stan Glover, Director of Technical Sales at Zeiger and member of the association’s Board of Directors, was honored for 30 years of commitment to PLASTICS, with special mention of his deep involvement in the creation of state, federal, and international machinery safety standards. “PLASTICS has been an integral part of my professional career and without Zeiger Industries’ support, I wouldn’t have been able to participate like I have,” said Glover. “The support I get from PLASTICS’s staff, whether it be at the domestic or international level, government affairs or setting up the meetings that are so important for the equipment council and its members is really key to the success of our member’s engagement.” Manar Inc. (Edinburgh, IN) Michael Cirone, president of Manar, PLASTICS Board of Directors member, and current chair of the PLASTICS Processors Council was recognized for enthusiastic member recruitment and his exceptional level of activity in forming and growing the association’s Transportation and Industrial Plastics Committee (TIP). “We really appreciate the award,” Cirone said. “It’s been a tremendous pleasure working with PLASTICS these six years, a tremendous honor for me and for Manar to be working with this great organization. I look forward to continuing to drive our TIP programs forward, especially what we have going on in recycling.”
The Crosby Group acquires Speedbinders.com
Innovative load binders for safer and more efficient load securement The Crosby Group, a global provider in lifting, rigging, and load securement hardware, has announced that it has acquired Speedbinders.com (“Speedbinders”). US-based Speedbinders is a designer and manufacturer of pioneering load binders for heavy-duty load securement. The Speedbinders products not only provide faster tie-down and release times for drivers, but also safer load securement with reduced strain and injuries. Robert Desel, CEO of The Crosby Group, said: “We are thrilled to expand our best-in-class load securement portfolio with Speedbinders. The Torque Drive technology’s dual focus on enhancing worker safety and improving productivity for drivers is a winning combination for the industry.” Desel continued: “Speedbinders will provide additional opportunities for our valued channel partners, and together, we will bring this innovation to end-users worldwide.” Speedbinders’ solutions include Torque Drive load binders which use a portable power drill to secure loads, eliminating the need for repetitive, manual operations common with lever and ratchet binders. Steve Helline, Founder of Speedbinders added: “It has been an incredible journey to see this business from concept to significant adoption and now a partnership with a world leader in load securement. I can’t think of a better steward of my business going forward and I look forward to supporting the continued adoption of Speedbinders in the market.”
Raymond recognized as Manufacturing Leadership Award 2021 winner
The Raymond Corporation is honored for enabling manufacturing excellence The Raymond Corporation has been recognized as a Manufacturing Leadership Awards winner in the Operational Excellence Leadership Award category for its outstanding achievement at the plant located in Greene, New York. This is the fifth year in a row the company has received a Manufacturing Leadership Award. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Manufacturing Leadership Council selected Raymond’s Greene facility as a winner for its ongoing culture of continuous improvement, which focuses on warehouse optimization and improved performance. Since 2006, the Greene plant’s use of lean management and continuous improvement methodologies have helped standardize processes, visualize improvements and increase efficiency. In addition to lean management techniques, this plant has implemented standardized work, weak point management, change point management, a total process reliability initiative, and quality circle activities. These changes have helped this manufacturing site realize more than three times the production volume over the past 13 years. “We are extremely honored that Raymond’s Greene plant has once again been named as a Manufacturing Leadership Award winner,” said Tony Topencik, senior director of operations and quality, The Raymond Corporation. “As a team, continuing to focus our internal efforts on training and standardized work allows us to better serve our customers and provide them with end-to-end intralogistics solutions.” Raymond was recognized at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, which took place as a virtual event on May 19, 2021. Details on attending the virtual gala are available at https://mlawards.manufacturingleadershipcouncil.com.
Chattanooga-based Warehouse Exec elected 2021 IWLA Vice Chairman
Members of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) recently elected Scott Mayfield, president & CAO Kenco Logistic Services, Chattanooga, Tenn., as the organization’s 2021-2022 vice-chairman. His term began immediately and will end during the May 2022 IWLA Convention & Expo in Amelia Island, Fla. Mayfield joined Kenco in 1999 and has an extensive background in human resources and management. He has been actively involved in IWLA councils and committees, including service as the 2021 IWLA Convention Committee chairman. “Scott is a leader in his company, in the association, and in the industry,” says IWLA Chairman Jared Stadlin, president of Linden Warehouse in Linden, N.J. “He shares his expertise and warehouse logistics experience in multiple capacities for the association. This position is his next stop en route to the IWLA chairmanship.” Kenco is the largest woman-owned third-party logistics (3PL) company in the United States. The company provides integrated logistics solutions that include distribution and e-commerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management services, material handling equipment services, engineering and innovation consulting, and information technology. IWLA is the resource for warehouse logistics education, advocacy, networking, and more. For more information about IWLA, its offerings, and its leadership, please visit www.IWLA.com. Due to COVID restrictions, the 2021 IWLA Convention & Expo originally slated for March has been moved to Nov. 1-3, at the La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas.
CLARK Material Handling Company recognizes 2021 Dealer of Excellence Advantage winners
CLARK Material Handling Company, a top-ten global manufacturer of forklift trucks and spare parts, has announced the 2021 Dealer of Excellence Advantage award winners. Having achieved great success in serving CLARK customers in their respective geographic areas throughout 2020, these Dealer of Excellence Advantage winners represent the top performing CLARK dealers from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada: 2021 Dealer of Excellence Advantage Winners: Buffalo Lift Trucks, Inc., Buffalo, New York Material Handling, Inc. Dalton, Dalton, Georgia Mid-West Industrial Equipment, Inc, Dayton, Ohio Ogden Forklifts, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia SUNLIFT SA. de C.V., Chihuahua, Mexico CLARK additionally recognizes these two dealerships for their exceptional performance in 2020: The CLARK New Dealer of the Year Sunbelt Material Handling, Dallas, Texas The CLARK Dealer of the Year Forklifts of Des Moines, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa “Each of these dealers distinguished themselves through their performance and customer service. As representatives of the best of CLARK, we are honored to have each in our dealer network and as members of the CLARK family,” said Dennis Lawrence, CLARK Material Handling Co. President and CEO. “Our entire dealer network strives to find the right solutions for each of our customers. Through each of their efforts, CLARK continues to grow, succeed, and give back to our communities,” added Lawrence. CLARK conducted a virtual awards ceremony at their North American headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky on May 5 to honor these exceptional CLARK dealerships.
JLG’s Parent Company, Oshkosh Corporation, earns top honors
Recognized for ethical business practices, sustainability initiatives, and technology advancements JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, is pleased to announce that parent company Oshkosh Corporation has recently received several prestigious industry awards for the Company’s ongoing ethical business practices, sustainability efforts and use of emerging and advancing digital technologies. Committed to creating a more sustainable future, Oshkosh was named one of Barron’s “100 Most Sustainable Companies” and has been included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021, both for the fourth consecutive year. Steadfast in sustainability initiatives, Oshkosh Corporation has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption and continues to make investments in technology including the development of battery-powered products. The Company was also a recipient of the IDG CIO 100 Award for information technology excellence. Oshkosh Corporation’s Digital Technology team is powered by team members around the world, all focused on solving business challenges. This is the third consecutive year that Oshkosh Corporation has received this award. The Company also received the IDG FutureEdge 50 Award for its innovative use of emerging technology. This is the first time that Oshkosh Corporation has received this global award. In addition to these awards, Oshkosh Corporation has also been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, one of FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies, one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek, as well as one of America’s Top 250 Best-Managed Companies by the Wall Street Journal. “Earning top honors from so many different organizations is testimony to the collective drive towards excellence by all Oshkosh Corporation global team members who remain focused on sustainable operations, empowering others and developing innovative solutions that drive the business forward,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the company’s Access Segment, which includes two industry-leading brands: JLG® aerial lifts and material handling equipment including boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access lifts, vertical access lifts, stock and order picker lifts, towable lifts and telehandlers, and Jerr-Dan® towing and recovery equipment including carriers, wreckers, and rotators.
Komatsu celebrates 100 years
Komatsu celebrated their company’s 100th anniversary on May 13, 2021, followed by a series of activities over the next year centered around the company’s commitment to its new brand promise of “creating value together.” A video celebrating 100 years of creating value together can be found on the company’s website. Originally established in 1921 in Komatsu City, Japan, to sustain the surrounding community after the closure of a nearby copper mine, Komatsu has spent the past century dedicated to its founding principles of quality first, technology, and manufacturing innovation, global reach, and people development. Through the years, Komatsu’s continued investment in core capabilities and strategic acquisitions have connected smart, diverse people and cutting-edge technologies with a shared belief that partnerships are the best way to solve challenges and meet society’s needs. Komatsu’s purpose is a combination of its mission and vision and honors the company’s legacy while looking toward the future. Purpose Values Brand promise In our next 100 years, Komatsu will focus on supporting the mining, construction, forestry, industrial machinery, and agriculture industries in their transformations to the digital workplace of the future: equipment and people, connected through smart technologies on an open platform, driving towards zero harm, zero waste, and zero emissions. By helping to digitalize job sites worldwide, our customers can optimize on-site operations towards a carbon-neutral environment. Remaining true to Komatsu’s founding spirit, the company will continue to play an active role in supporting local communities with a specific emphasis on sustainability. As part of that commitment, last year Komatsu launched One World One Komatsu, a new online platform for Komatsu employees that challenges them to be a force for good at work, and at home. One World is a place where employees can take part in sustainability-focused campaigns and competitions, share ideas and engage with colleagues. Through One World, simple individual employee actions amplify Komatsu’s core business activities to create a collective global movement toward a more sustainable future together.
David Bammel named Vice President of Digital Technology for JLG® and Jerr-Dan®
Taking over the reins for development and execution of the Access segment’s digital vision and strategy JLG Industries, Inc., a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers announces that David Bammel has been named Vice President of Digital Technology for Oshkosh Corporation’s Access segment, which includes JLG® aerial lifts and material handling equipment and Jerr-Dan® towing and recovery equipment. In this role, Bammel will be responsible for the development and execution of a digital vision and strategy for each brand. Bammel will be based out of the company’s offices in Hagerstown, Maryland. “David is a thought-leader in the digital space, recognized for accelerating growth and advancing corporate strategic objectives across multiple disciplines, departments, and industry segments,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the company’s Access Segment. “We are pleased to have his expertise to drive our technology-enabled business transformation. His efforts will support future growth while continuing to accelerate digitization across the company.” “I am excited to have the opportunity to work for such a well-established and respected company,” says Bammel. “I see myself as a catalyst for organizational development and sustainable business growth, and in this role, I will work to carefully orchestrate and support enterprise-wide technology changes that will enable JLG and Jerr-Dan to continue exceeding customer expectations.” Bammel joins the JLG and Jerr-Dan teams with more than 25 years of digital technology, business transformation, and applied technology experience, including positions within manufacturing environments and in global locations. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President at GCP Applied Technologies His past experience also includes serving as Director of Information Technology for AGCO, a global manufacturer, and distributor of agricultural equipment. He is a graduate of Alfred University in New York.
Women In Trucking Association names Eliacostas the 2021 Distinguished Woman in Logistics
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT), Truckstop.com, and Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) announced today Angela Eliacostas, president and founder of AGT Global Logistics, as the winner of the seventh annual Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award (DWLA). Eliacostas was chosen among three finalists for the award. The other finalists include Nicole Glenn, president and CEO, Candor Expedite, and Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. The finalists and winner were recognized today during the 2021 TIA “Capital Ideas” Virtual Conference. “Angela Eliacostas has become more than just a member of Women In Trucking Association, she has become a mentor, a speaker, and a writer who shares her passion for our mission every chance she gets,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. “We love to honor those who help support and encourage women in the industry.” Eliacostas has more than thirty years of transportation management experience. In this time, she has built a business based on honesty, integrity, and diligence. She has developed a proprietary three-tier carrier-rating system designed to reward drivers and companies who perform at the highest standards. She has also carved out a niche for herself in the energy and utility sector as a 3PL with 24/7/365 access and service. Her employees are not only experienced with trucking – several holding commercial driver’s licenses, many also are HazMat certified. “Winning this award is such an honor. I hope to represent Women In Trucking and this award by sharing encouragement and advice. To all of the women steering their ways in the world of transportation and logistics – remember, achievement isn’t reaching a final destination. Achievement doesn’t stop, it means realizing your dreams and then striving to do more. There will be frustrating times. Always keep pushing. Believe in what you’re doing, whether in a male-dominated industry or otherwise. Have faith in yourself and your abilities. Be confident. Then, you will succeed, “ said Eliacostas. The personalized, small-business care, coupled with advanced technology, sets her company apart from not only other tier-II 3PLs but also from the “big guys.” Angela notes that sometimes her Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) status is why AGT received an RFP, but getting the job often takes more than non-MWBE companies offer. Keeping the account requires that her company perform better in all aspects. Fortunately, once these accounts are won – they stay. In-house, Eliacostas has established a committed team of team members. Sixty percent of her employees are women, and many have been with her since before she started AGT in 2005. In 2019, she brought to life a new internship program that trains people who show promise, determination, and the ability to learn even if they do not have experience in third-party logistics. This has provided an opportunity for people who have driven in the past, and it also brings new people into the transportation world from other backgrounds. As a certified MWBE, Angela promotes first and second-tier spends by using as many MWBEs as she can in her own vendors and contracts. “ Angela, Nicole, and Jeana exemplify all the leadership qualities that our industry and their companies need to help America lead the world in freight transportation,” said Brent Hutto, chief relationship officer at Truckstop.com. “We admire their dedication to providing example and opportunity for women in the freight industry to continue to succeed in all that they pursue. Congratulations to Angela as she continues the long line of excellence as the winner of this year’s award.” Sponsored by Truckstop.com and TIA, the DWLA was established to promote the achievements of women employed in the North American transportation industry. It highlights the vital roles of women in the dynamic and influential field of commercial transportation and logistics. “Angela, Jeanna, and Nicole exemplify leadership, passion, and civic values. All three are deserving of the Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award,” said Anne Reinke, president and CEO, TIA. “Angela has spent 30 years promoting women in transportation and has committed to serving her customers ethically, efficiently, and with unmatched determination. We congratulate her for this prestigious honor.” Members of the judging panel include Brent Hutto, chief relationship officer, Truckstop.com; Anne Reinke, president and CEO, TIA; Dr. Stephanie S. Ivey, associate dean for research and professor, Herff College of Engineering; and Ellen Voie, president and CEO, WIT.
Quantum Storage expands to Portland location
Quantum Storage Systems, based in Miami, FL, has opened a new distribution center in the Portland, OR area. This new facility will stock a large variety of the most popular plastic bins and wire shelving items that Quantum provides to its’ distributors. The facility will serve the 13 western states in an attempt to decrease the cost of freight transportation and to increase the speed of delivery to these locations. Purchase orders can be sent directly to the Miami office (orders@quantumstorage.com) and they will be routed to ship from one of their three Quantum distribution centers: Miami, Chicago, and now Portland. “We are trying to get our products stocked in strategic locations that will benefit our distributors and their customers,” said Ed Granger, Quantum Director of Sales. “Lead time is very critical in today’s world, and being able to reduce the cost of transportation is a win/win for everyone,” he added.