Marsh Bellofram re-organizes sales territories
The Marsh Bellofram Group of Companies has announced a reorganization of its sales territories and a new, more holistic approach to sales across its 12 business units. As part of this effort, an existing manufacturers’ representative agency that already handles Marsh Bellofram products is expanding its territory, and a new rep group is being brought on. In addition, several internal territories are being reshuffled. EMPOWER Sales will expand its Marsh Bellofram territory to include Texas and Oklahoma. EMPOWER’s sales for Marsh Bellofram will be personally overseen by EMPOWER co-founder, principal, and general manager Bill Carroll. Carroll has nearly a decade of experience with Marsh Bellofram’s vast product lines, and will bring his expertise to these important expanded markets. EMPOWER’s main responsibility will be over the products of Automatic Timing & Controls (ATC), ATC Diversified Electronics (DEI), and Bellofram Precision Controls. In addition, Dan Weis and his company, Fluid in Motion (FIM), will represent these same products in three states in the upper Midwest for ATC/DEI and four states for Bellofram Precision Controls. Weis is a past sales manager for Bellofram Precision Controls in the same territory. His knowledge of the products and the market is expected to help customers achieve maximum impact from Marsh Bellofram solutions. Fluid in Motion has spent the past 35 years building strategic partnerships, industry knowledge, and product expertise to provide customers with a one-of-a-kind sourcing solution that is unparalleled in the industry. The sales re-organization brings other changes as well. Jon Staniszewski takes on a new role as sales manager for BelGAS (he previously served in the same position within Bellofram Precision Controls). Tony DeSimone will manage ATC/DEI for Illinois as well as all products in six other states. Meanwhile, longtime ATC/DEI sales manager Phil Storey remains covering the East Coast region down through mid-South states. Nick Kerpsack handles the same territory for Bellofram Precision Controls. A goal of the sales reorganization is to enable sales reps to sell broad product lines across multiple business units of the Marsh Bellofram family of brands, with support from product experts available to aid customers.
Oshkosh Corporation to acquire AUSA
Complementary product portfolio deepens market reach, builds on partnership with JLG Oshkosh Corporation has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AUSACORP S.L. Upon closing, AUSA will become part of the Oshkosh Access segment. “AUSA’s history of producing high-quality, purpose-built equipment aligns with our Innovate. Serve. Advance. strategy, allowing us to broaden our product offerings in both current and adjacent markets,” said John Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation’s president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to welcoming the AUSA team into the Oshkosh family.” AUSA products will enhance the JLG® line of telehandlers, as well as Hinowa tracked dumpers and forklifts to strengthen the Access segment’s portfolio of equipment. The companies began working together through a partner agreement in 2020, with AUSA manufacturing the JLG-branded SkyTrak ® 3013 compact telehandler. “We are excited to join forces with a proven partner like AUSA,” said Mahesh Narang, executive vice president, Oshkosh Corporation, and president, Access. “Combining our advanced technology capabilities and robust training, support, and service infrastructures will allow us to better serve customers and enable targeted growth.” “We constantly pursue excellence in our products, services and business,” said Ramon Carbonell, AUSA’s chief executive officer. “A deeper relationship with Oshkosh will expand the reach of our products, which is an objective our companies share.” AUSA, which was founded in 1956 in Barcelona, Spain, reported sales of approximately $132 million euros in 2023. The company’s nearly 350 team members and 600 dealers bring with them a long history of innovation, quality, and customer service. The AUSA acquisition supports the Oshkosh accelerated growth strategy. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close within 90 days.
Tom Panzarella appointed Chief Technology Officer at Seegrid
Seegrid Corporation has announced Tom Panzarella as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this critical leadership role, Panzarella will spearhead Seegrid’s technological initiatives to continue guiding the development of cutting-edge autonomous solutions that work—meeting evolving customer needs and delivering unmatched ROI. Panzarella’s appointment underscores Seegrid’s commitment to innovation and industry advancement in the rapidly evolving field of robotics and automation. “I am very pleased to appoint Tom to the role of Chief Technology Officer,” said CEO and President Joe Pajer. “Tom’s exceptional leadership and dedication to technological innovation have been pivotal in shaping Seegrid’s market-leading AMR solutions. With Tom at the helm of our technology and development teams, I am confident that Seegrid will continue to revolutionize the future of material handling automation.” As CTO, Panzarella will lead Seegrid’s technology initiatives, including the development of cutting-edge autonomous solutions that empower customers to optimize their material handling workflows. His strategic vision will drive the advancement of Seegrid’s proprietary autonomy technology, further enhancing the safety, efficiency, and flexibility of its proven AMRs. “I am honored to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Seegrid,” said Panzarella. “Seegrid’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions is truly inspiring, and I am excited to lead our talented team of engineers as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous material handling.” Panzarella began working with Seegrid in 2017 while he was building his first perception-based start-up company, Love Park Robotics (LPR). Seegrid partnered with LPR to successfully apply LPR’s pallet detection technology in its AMR solutions. After LPR was acquired in 2018 by ifm, he founded a second start-up named Box Robotics. Box was focused on rebuilding the AGV perception stack with human-like spatial awareness by leveraging long-range 3D LiDAR, Deep Learning, and HD Maps—in direct alignment with Seegrid’s long-term technology vision. Seegrid acquired Box Robotics in September 2020, making Panzarella and his co-founder John Spletzer technology leaders within the company, focused on the successful commercialization of the Box technology stack in our AMR solutions today. Panzarella has over 27 years of experience in engineering and robotics. As the new CTO, Panzarella will steer Seegrid’s technology and product development, working closely with our customers on the required technology and innovation initiatives, and represent Seegrid across the technical bodies that are driving the growth of autonomy across the industry. Q&A with Tom Panzarella: Q: What excites you most about your new role as CTO? A: The most exciting thing for me is the timing and the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Right now there is a convergence of several factors that is driving our market. First, the macroeconomic condition around the stability of labor supply creates an almost urgent need for autonomy technology. Second, our customers have what is seemingly an endless number of problems that they are trying to solve which lead to increased demand for our solutions. Third, foundational technology in areas such as sensors, embedded computers, artificial intelligence, and open-source robotics software have all matured to the point that they can be incorporated into cost-effective and robust solutions. This could not have been timed better. I am thrilled to be a part of a leading organization in the AMR space and to be appointed into a role where I can help to influence the next generation of industrial automation. Q: What are your primary goals and objectives as Seegrid’s new Chief Technology Officer? A: Seegrid was founded by a legendary roboticist, Dr. Hans Moravec. The company was formed around the commercialization of Hans’ work in infrastructure-free localization built on stereo vision and 3D probabilistic mapping. Seegrid was disruptive in commercializing Hans’ work—and we produced a solution that is highly predictable but requires no infrastructure changes, with routes that can be trained by simply walking the vehicle through the facility. Seegrid literally laid the foundation for the AMR revolution that we are all currently witnessing. Today, we are revolutionizing the industry again—by offering technology that can scale from this highly predictable solution which is appropriate in many cases, to solutions that offer tremendous flexibility, built upon Seegrid’s dynamic path planning. As Seegrid’s new CTO, my primary goal is to stay true to our heritage in innovating and commercializing deep robotics technology, to align this technology to our customer’s objectives, and to push our market forward for our customers and society as a whole. Q: How do you envision Seegrid’s technology evolving under your leadership? A: Our technology will evolve in support of our customers’ needs—a solution-based offering that supports full end-to-end autonomous workflows as we’re already seeing with our industry-leading Autonomous Buffer Management (ABM) solution. In the tech stack, this is an architecture that looks at AMRs and enterprise software as a single distributed computing system that is designed to solve problems, easy to tune, and is observable. By having direct exposures to the kinds of problems our lead customers are trying to solve, you can expect to see continued investment and market leadership in our manipulation stack and AI perception models, significant enhancements to our planning systems to include fleet-scale optimization, and an increasingly innovative set of capabilities offered in Fleet Central, our enterprise software platform. Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for Seegrid in the coming years? A: Growth in the autonomous lift truck market is a sweet spot for Seegrid. As we continue building out our Palion Lift Truck solutions—the CR1 and RS1—we focus on providing the most capable systems in the market today. We’ve made huge investments in our manipulation software—composed of perception feedback systems, dynamic planners, controllers, and safety systems over and above regulatory requirements—that will generalize to nearly any manipulation task that can be handled by a lift truck. Our leading-edge AI perception models segment the scene in real time into semantically relevant objects of interest. This facilitates high-level reasoning by our planning and execution software to ensure we can carry out the work safely and reliably. This core capability is an innovative and true differentiator between Seegrid and others in the market today and is setting a new standard
Wauseon Machine Joe Gemma awarded Joseph Engelberger Robotics Award
Recognizing Exceptional Leadership in the Automation Industry Wauseon Machine announced that Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Joe Gemma, was awarded the prestigious Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for 2024, recognizing his exceptional leadership and contributions to the automation industry. The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) recognized Joe Gemma alongside two other industry pioneers for their significant impact within the field. This award, named after the late Joseph F. Engelberger, who is widely regarded as the father of industrial robotics, celebrates excellence in technology development, application, education, and leadership in robotics. Established in 1977, the award has been presented to 139 leaders globally and is often referred to as the “Hall of Fame” for the robotics and automation sector. The award will be presented at the Automate conference in Chicago on May 8, 2024. Joe Gemma’s recognition in leadership underscores his profound impact on the automation sector throughout his distinguished career. His tenure includes pivotal roles as a board member of the Robotics Industries Association (RIA), currently known as A3, and as the president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, commended this year’s Engelberger Robotics Awards honorees, stating, “Joe Gemma’s valuable leadership and contributions over the last 35+ years have been instrumental as we bring greater innovations to users worldwide.” At Wauseon Machine, Joe Gemma has been a pivotal figure since joining in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time working for both system integrators and robotics OEMs. His responsibilities as CRO focus on leading the front end of the business, building on his extensive background in engineering, project management, business development, and sales management. Upon receiving the award, Joe Gemma expressed his gratitude, saying, “This recognition goes out to all the people I have worked with through the years. It is an honor to accept this award on their behalf. I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to share the passion that many of us have for what automation means and what it does for manufacturing, for people, and for the world in general.” Wauseon Machine is proud to have Joe Gemma on our team. His expertise continues to drive our mission of providing leading automation solutions, precision machining, fabrication, and tube forming technologies to manufacturing organizations across North America.
Toyota Industries Corporation launches Toyota Automated Logistics Group to house acquired companies
Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) has launched Toyota Automated Logistics Group (TALG) to house its existing subsidiary, Toyota L&F, alongside the companies it acquired in 2017 (Bastian Solutions and Vanderlande) and 2022 (viastore). As a result, it has increased its presence in all integrated and automated projects worldwide and capitalized on the synergies between the respective organizations and the added value they offer to the market. TALG’s company name has been created to reinforce the added value of the reliability, stability, commitment and security of TICO as the group’s parent company. In addition, customers will benefit from the wide portfolio which ranges from the integration of automated solution projects to end-to end automated solutions offered by the four group companies to the global logistics market. As a global partner for integrated logistic process automation, TALG is committed to helping customers meet the challenges specific to their industries by incorporating its integrated portfolio of scalable systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services. With a full range of automated logistic solutions – from receiving to shipping – TALG supports all aspects of its customers’ manufacturing facilities, distribution centres and airports. It also complements the worldwide logistic solutions and high-quality products, such as forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, offered by the Toyota Material Handling Group. While Toyota L&F focuses on the development of reliable and efficient systems to improve customers’ logistic processes, Bastian Solutions provides added value to companies of all sizes through leading technology resources and strong system integration capabilities. Furthermore, Vanderlande meets the complex challenges faced by businesses with the provision of sustainable and future-proof logistic process automation, while viastore provides customers with guaranteed success through customised warehouse and material flow logistic solutions. “As a group, TALG is not only trusted to improve the competitive position of our customers, but also confirm our status as a leading global player in integrated logistic process automation,” says Nerio Wakabayashi, Senior Executive Officer of TICO. “Wherever we operate in the world – and whatever the industry – through a combination of innovation, integration and automation, the Toyota Automated Logistics Group stays true to its guiding principle: for every challenge, a reliable solution.”
Longtime safety expert honored as ASSP Fellow
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has bestowed the honor of Fellow on Daniel G. Hopwood, who has made significant contributions to the occupational safety and health profession for decades. He is the 2024 recipient of the Society’s highest honor, becoming the 147th Fellow since the world’s oldest professional safety organization was founded in 1911. “ASSP Fellows are an elite group of influential safety leaders who have played key roles in improving workplace environments as well as the safety and health profession overall,” said ASSP President Jim Thornton, CSP, CIH, FASSP, FAIHA. “Dan is a highly respected expert who has broadly helped prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job.” Hopwood, M.P.H., CSP, SMS, ARM, CBCP, FASSP, is vice president and director of risk control field services at Sompo, North America. An ASSP member since 1978, Hopwood has worked throughout his distinguished career as a risk manager, instructor, keynote speaker, author, technical expert and occupational safety and health advocate. He is an expert at developing methodologies for crisis management and business continuity planning. He also serves on the board of directors for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. “As a senior member of our team, Dan develops safety programs, conducts incident investigations and provides extensive safety and health training,” said Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM, former ASSP president and current executive vice president and head of risk control at Sompo. “He is a true collaborator who is always willing to share his expertise with colleagues and mentor industry newcomers.” Hopwood has taught undergraduate and graduate safety courses for 25 years, including time at Cuyamaca Community College, San Diego City College and San Diego State University, all in California. As a result, he has advanced the workplace safety and health profession and has profoundly impacted the careers of many students. Hopwood has guided thousands of professionals through his many writings and by leading dozens of educational and training sessions at national conferences and seminars. He authored the book “Safety & Health Management: Essential Considerations for Human Resources and Allied Professionals” and co-authored “Workplace Safety: A Guide for Small and Midsized Companies.” He also has written chapters in several other books and has been published in more than 25 journals, magazines and professional publications. As an ASSP volunteer leader, Hopwood has served at the local, regional and Society levels. He is past president of the San Diego Chapter and former Region I vice president. He was the San Diego Chapter Safety Professional of the Year in 2012 and earned ASSP’s Charles V. Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2017. “Dan is a constant advocate who serves our profession with impartiality and a moral compass that makes the world a better place,” said Jose Perez, CSHM, CIT, SMS, OHST, CHST, an area director in ASSP Region I. “Many have experienced the value he brings to the humanity of our profession through his equitable and inclusive leadership. His exemplary approach and positive influence make others feel welcome, visible and heard.”
Supervisory Board Extends CEO Rob Smith’s contract
Contract extended by five years until end of 2029. Hans Peter Ring, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: “Under Rob Smith’s proven leadership we will open the next chapter of the success story of KION.” The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG has extended Chief Executive Officer Rob Smith’s (58) contract by five years, ensuring his leadership until December 31, 2029. This decision underscores the Board’s unwavering confidence in Smith’s strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive sustained value for the shareholders, customers, and employees. “On behalf of the Supervisory Board I am glad that we can continue our trusted relationship with Rob Smith. I am confident that under Rob‘s proven leadership we will open the next chapter of the success story of KION”, says Hans Peter Ring, Chairman of the KION Supervisory Board. “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for placing trust in me. I look forward to continuing to lead KION Group’s path to sustainable and profitable growth”, says Rob Smith. “Together with our team of the Executive Board and our more than 42,000 employees around the world, we want to shape the future of supply chains globally. We will keep delivering on our business priorities and seize the opportunities offered by our markets and technological innovation.” Before joining KION, Rob Smith was President & CEO of the publicly listed Finnish group Konecranes, a leading 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 Diplom-Kaufmann and Dr. rer. pol. degrees from the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Koblenz, Germany and wrote his dissertation on Global Supply Chain Performance and Risk Optimisation.
Global Shop Solutions Ilya Dynkin reaches 25-year milestone
Working at the same company for 25 years is a rare occurrence these days. Global Shop Solutions has announced the latest addition to the Quarter Century Club, Ilya Dynkin, VP of Sales. When Dynkin joined Global Shop Solutions early in his career, he had no experience with ERP or manufacturing software. What he did have was enthusiasm, motivation, and the ability to find and win new opportunities, bringing in new customers. The love and care he shows to each person he works with isn’t just in the sale – it’s in the long-term relationships he builds. “We knew from the start we had a special person in Ilya because of the way he connects with manufacturers on a personal basis, understands their problems, and demonstrates how ERP software can correct them,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “He truly enjoys his work, and his spirit and enthusiasm for helping our customers simplify their manufacturing rubs off on all who work with him.” Dynkin prides himself on demonstrating how ERP software can help transform manufacturing companies and improve their processes. What he finds most rewarding is when customers have enough faith in him and trust in the company to want to become a lifetime partner. “At Global Shop Solutions our customers are buying software that will run their entire company from quote to cash, and I want to make sure they understand the importance of partnering with the right company,” says Dynkin. “Telling them who we are, the type of relationship they can expect, and the lifelong partner we want to be is an integral part of the process.” Dynkin believes that when a company shows loyalty to its employees, values and mission, it will keep its people engaged and performing their best. “I am proud of the growth Global Shop Solutions has achieved, but even more so the fact that we haven’t become corporatized,” says Dynkin. “The company’s principles and family atmosphere haven’t changed since I first came here 25 years ago. It continues to be a place where we support each other and can have open conversations with anyone, anytime. The family ownership truly cares about the people who work here, and always put them at the front of their decision-making process.” “I love the work,” adds Dynkin. “It’s gratifying to see the impact Global Shop Solutions has on our customers’ businesses, and I feel like I have a measurable impact on our company.”
Barcoding to expand North American presence through planned combination with DecisionPoint Systems
Barcoding, Inc. (“Barcoding”), a supply chain automation and innovation company, together with Graham Partners, has announced that an affiliate of Barcoding has entered into a definitive merger agreement with DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. (“DecisionPoint”). DecisionPoint is a mobility-first enterprise services and solutions company and a leading provider of retail in-store solutions and services centered on Point-of-Sale systems headquartered in Del Ray Beach, FL with additional locations in California, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, and Pennsylvania. The combination of Barcoding and DecisionPoint will create a business of scale and a leader in supply chain automation by expanding Barcoding’s existing value proposition into the adjacent point-of-sale technologies space while establishing a national footprint with strongholds in the Southeast and West Coast. “With our planned combination with DecisionPoint, Barcoding continues to focus on growth that will directly and positively impact our customers and partners. Combining Barcoding and DecisionPoint will enhance our offerings and allow us to better serve enterprise customers in retail, supply chain, and other sectors with a more comprehensive set of solutions and services. We look forward to welcoming the DecisionPoint team into the Barcoding family,” said Shane Snyder, CEO and president of Barcoding.
H&E Equipment Services completes acquisition of Lewistown Rental and affiliated companies
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. has announced the completion of its acquisition of Montana-based Lewistown Rental and three of its affiliated companies located in Havre, Glasgow, and Great Falls, Montana. The acquisition adds a comprehensive mix of equipment with an original equipment cost of approximately $28.5 million. Brad Barber, chief executive officer of H&E, stated, “With the addition of these four locations, H&E now has six locations in the state of Montana, addressing customer needs across the state. The acquisition is our third in the last six months and is indicative of our continued focus on expanding our geographic reach in the U.S. We are encouraged by the growing prospects for non-residential, industrial, infrastructure, and agricultural projects in Montana and look forward to establishing a strong presence in this vibrant state.” With the close of the transaction, H&E now operates 145 branch locations across 30 states.
Carolina Handling celebrates anniversary with 58 for 58 giveaway
Carolina Handling is celebrating its 58th anniversary in 2024 with a yearlong campaign entitled “Handling Hunger Together” to assist hunger relief organizations throughout the company’s five-state footprint. According to Feeding America, more than 44 million people in the U.S. face hunger each year, including 1 in 5 children. In 2022, 49 million people turned to food banks and other charitable organizations to help feed their families. About 8 million pounds of food was collected and delivered to feeding organizations in 2023, according to Move for Hunger, with food banks in need of pallet jacks, lift trucks and other material handling equipment to move non-perishables and fresh produce. “There are numerous organizations throughout the Southeast that receive, store and distribute thousands of pounds of food each year to feed the hungry in their communities,” said Carolina Handling President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “The logistics of that can be overwhelming to organizations that don’t have applicable, reliable equipment. That’s where companies like Carolina Handling can help.” In celebration of Carolina Handling’s 58 years in business in 2024, the Charlotte, NC-based intralogistics company is giving away 58 motorized pallet jacks to hunger relief organizations throughout its territory, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone. The Raymond 8210 electric pallet jacks are used 2016 and newer models with battery packs. They will be awarded on a first-requested basis to qualifying organizations completing a submission form on the Carolina Handling website. Equipment will be delivered to all recipients at no charge.
Cromer Material Handling earns Diamond Award from Bobcat Company
Bobcat Company recognized Cromer Material Handling as a top-performing material handling equipment dealer with a Diamond Award at MODEX 2024. The Diamond Award is presented annually to select dealers by Bobcat Company for outstanding efforts and commitment within their respective regions. This year, Bobcat recognized 21 material handling dealers based on sales, volume and other dealer engagement metrics. Cromer Material Handling was recognized at a reception held during MODEX 2024, the premier supply chain experience trade show in Atlanta, Georgia. “We are pleased to recognize such a deserving group of dealerships for their efforts and achievements,” said Jarrod Steck, Bobcat vice president of material handling products. “While forklifts are a new product offering within the Bobcat portfolio, these dealerships bring years of expertise and experience within the material handling industry, and we are thrilled to award these top performers and valued dealer partners.” Brent Poulton, President of Cromer Material Handling, accepted the award on behalf of the entire organization. “We are honored to be recognized by Bobcat Material Handling as one of the top-performing dealers,” Poulton said. Combining our talented team of parts, service, rental, and sales associates with a world-class product has proven to be a winning formula for us, Bobcat Material Handling, and our customers. We proudly represent the Bobcat brand and are committed to long-lasting partnerships with them and our customers.” Bobcat’s lift truck, materials handling products and organization were rebranded to Bobcat, from the former name of Doosan this past year.
Cimcorp has announced new VP of Operations
Leveraging three decades of expertise in managing international projects, Anne Happonen will support the company’s global initiatives and will support project leadership Cimcorp has appointed Anne Happonen as the company’s new Vice President of Operations. With an extensive career in helping global organizations navigate the intricate landscape of international business, Happonen is passionate about leading diverse teams and fostering strong customer relationships—a passion that aligns with Cimcorp’s ethos. Today, Cimcorp offers a comprehensive range of automated solutions—including automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), picking and sortation, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a Warehouse Control System (WCS)—that enable tire factories and grocery distributors to tackle their biggest warehousing and distribution challenges, like energy efficiency, waste, and overall supply chain operations. “I’m excited for the opportunity to spearhead innovative automation projects as the new Vice President of Operations at Cimcorp,” said Happonen, “As a globally known company, Cimcorp has superb solutions, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a company that is a profitable, proud leader in their field and shows care for employees and partners alike.” With over three decades of experience in leading successful organizations, including global brands Cargotec, Sandvik, and Patria, Happonen’s philosophy is grounded in the principles of transparency, collaboration, and adaptability. “Successful leadership is about enabling the ease of work for others and fostering a culture of openness and trust. In this role, my wish is to provide the team with the best possible conditions to thrive. I strive to inspire teams to achieve goals, and my own inspiration stems from seeing people do their work with pride,” said Happonen. “This philosophy also translates to customers. It’s important to understand the big picture and realize that any negotiation is about the people. Honesty and humanity are essential in international business.” With nearly 500 employees globally, Cimcorp is passionate about optimizing material flows and has developed unique robotic solutions for order fulfillment and storage for leading companies in food and beverage, retail, e-commerce, consumer goods, and tire manufacturing. Additionally, Cimcorp offers Success Services for continuous maintenance and support to help customers secure a lifecycle of 20 years or more for their automation technology. As she embarks on this new chapter at Cimcorp, Happonen brings her a stellar track record and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the world—one project at a time.
Mazzella wins award contributing with #GLAD2024
Mazzella Companies has been presented with an award for its contribution to last year’s Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD), by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA). Mazzella was unanimously voted by a judging panel to have provided the best contribution from a company or individual to #GLAD2023. Fittingly, the award was presented by Ross Moloney, CEO, LEEA, to Mazzella representatives attending this week’s Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) Spring General Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Mazzella, like AWRF, has been a loyal campaigner since GLAD’s conception in 2020. Kindred Spirits, AWRF runs an accreditation program, powered by LEEA’s third-party audits. Mike Close, corporate marketing and communications manager, Mazzella, said: “Winning this award was both surprising and affirming. Last year marked our most significant involvement in GLAD to date. We dedicated our efforts to a comprehensive campaign that spanned multiple media, including articles, videos, and a podcast. These initiatives were aimed at supporting the vision of LEEA and GLAD, to raise overall awareness of the lifting and rigging industry. “This award is recognition for the whole marketing team. We were motivated by the increasing participation we observed in the industry and inspired by partners, like Kito Crosby, who received a similar award for their efforts in 2022. This appreciation of our peers spurred us to enhance our involvement and create an engaging and impactful awareness campaign.” Central to Mazzella’s contribution was welcoming Moloney on an episode of the company’s Safety Factor podcast, launched on the cusp of #GLAD2023. Each podcast episode is available in two formats: audio-only, available on traditional podcast platforms; and a video version on YouTube, allowing viewers to watch the conversation between the host and guests. The episode above, titled, “How Global Lifting Awareness Day Addresses the Labor Shortage in the Lifting Industry,” received 370 plays across both formats. Moloney has already been invited back to appear on a pre-#GLAD2024 episode. Mazzella also published two key articles: “How is Technology Changing the Lifting and Rigging Industry?” and, “How Does Global Lifting Awareness Day Promote the Lifting Industry?” and populated social media channels with engaging content. Moloney said: “GLAD messaging has always been underpinned by raising awareness — and Mazzella sets an outstanding example of what can be achieved. I was honored to feature on the Safety Factor podcast, but that was just one component of a wider commitment to #GLAD2023 that was humbling and empowering. While we are growing a legion of supporters, none were more deserving of recognition than Mazzella — and what a place to celebrate with them here with the AWRF community.” #GLAD2024 to be biggest ever The fifth Global Lifting Awareness Day — #GLAD2024 — will take place on Thursday 18 July, represented by a new logo. Once more, Mazzella will be among the leading stakeholders delivering the message emphatically to the point of use. This year’s campaign trail is already advanced, with the two pillars of earlier announcements being that LEEA will focus its strategy on skills and employment. It encourages everyone to contribute by using graphics and the hashtags to celebrate their involvement with the industry, at all levels of the supply chain. Cranes, hoists, rigging gear, and height safety hardware is central to safe operations in a myriad of end-user sectors, including civil engineering, construction, material handling, metals, military, offshore, subsea, and renewables, to select just a handful. Close added: “The new logo is very cool — the design elements of the crane and the use of safety yellow [color version], convey its relevance to the lifting and rigging industry. I think if you see it and don’t know what GLAD is, or the movement behind it, it effectively communicates its purpose of supporting and enhancing the industry. For #GLAD2024, we plan to continue our multi-medium approach, using articles, videos, and podcasts to spread awareness and share key messages. “Our goal is to leverage our partnerships, particularly with a leading training company in the industrial sector, to focus on professional development and highlight its significance. There’s always so much more that can be done to promote best practices and safety within our industry, so I sense that will be a big theme for us this year as well. On the day, we’ll have a schedule built out to post links on social media to relevant and supporting content and information each hour of the day.” Close called skills and employment “foundational in our industry.” He added: “As AI [artificial intelligence] and automation reshape our work environment, we have to be proactive in developing new skills in our teammates. It’s not just about adapting for tomorrow but planning for the next decades. This will be critical to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent. Additionally, the need for skilled craftsmen — welders, fabricators, riggers, operators, and technicians — remains as vital as ever. They transform ideas into tangible solutions, something that’s irreplaceable in our industry.”
Robroy Industries® appoints Alex Erwin as Business Development Manager
Robroy Industries® Enclosures Division has announced the appointment of Alex Erwin as its Central Region Business Development Manager. Erwin has been involved in the electrical product industry his entire professional life. A graduate of Georgia State University he provides more than 40 years of expertise as an electrician, serving as lighting manager for a wholesale supply house, and as a field sales representative for a manufacturers’ agent. “Alex is an ideal addition to our organization,” states Craig Mitchell, President of Robroy Industries®Enclosures Division. “He represents extensive experience that encompasses all aspects of our sales channel providing him the ability to understand and satisfy the diverse application needs of our enclosure customers.” Through its two brands, Stahlin® and AttaBox®, Robroy Enclosures offers the most extensive selection of non-metallic enclosures available for meeting the needs of diverse industries, interior and exterior applications, appealing aesthetics, and physical property performance standards including NEMA 4X and NEMA 6P integrity. Stahlin Enclosures delivers time and laborsaving solutions, non-stop innovation, and superior product performance. AttaBox Enclosures, manufacturers of high-performing non-metallic electrical and industrial enclosures, leads the way in providing application-specific solutions for installations within continuously demanding environments.
Conveyco Technologies welcomes Brian Keiger as VP of Sales
Conveyco Technologies has announced the appointment of Brian Keiger as Vice President of Sales. In this role, Keiger will lead Conveyco’s sales organization and drive revenue growth through strategic sales initiatives. Keiger brings over 30 years of sales and industry experience in the supply chain and warehousing automation industry to Conveyco. He most recently served as Sales & Marketing Director at Movu Robotics, where he was instrumental in expanding the company’s customer base across multiple sectors, including food & beverage, retail, automotive, and healthcare. “We are thrilled to welcome Brian to the Conveyco team,” said Raymond Cocozza, CEO of Conveyco Technologies. “His proven track record of success, deep industry expertise, and passion for fostering client relationships make him an ideal fit to spearhead our sales efforts.” At Conveyco, Keiger aims to implement agile and responsive sales processes to drive efficiency and productivity. His strong leadership skills and commitment to customer satisfaction will be invaluable assets as the company continues its growth trajectory. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Keiger is deeply involved in STEM education initiatives. He serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the National Center for Supply Chain Technology Education and as a Board Advisor for the Queen City Robotics Alliance. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovators aligns well with Conveyco’s corporate vision and forward-thinking approach. “I am excited to join the talented team at Conveyco Technologies,” said Keiger. “The company’s dedication to bringing our clients cutting-edge solutions and its commitment to excellence resonate strongly with me. I look forward to working closely with our customers and partners to deliver exceptional value with our RightFIT approach.” Keiger holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and has received recognition for his achievements, including the 2013 Edison Award for Supply Chain Innovation.
Pettibone Celebrates 75th anniversary of Cary-Lift
Pettibone Traverse/Lift, LLC is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Cary-Lift, which became the world’s first forward-reaching, rough-terrain material handler upon its invention by Phil LaTendresse in 1949. Shortly after its origin, the Cary-Lift product line was acquired by Pettibone, and it remains an industry-leading solution for pipe, pole and log handling to this day. The inventor’s grandson, also named Phil LaTendresse, is currently Pettibone’s director of engineering and product support. “A local sawmill owner was looking for a better solution for unloading logs, and that’s when my grandfather came up with the concept of being able to reach forward with a forklift, which inspired the first prototype Cary-Lift,” said LaTendresse. “He built about 13 machines before selling the business to Pettibone Mulliken Corporation.” The Pettibone Cary-Lift provides distinct design advantages over wheel loaders and other tools often used to move pipe, poles or similar materials, making the machine a popular choice for worksites all around the world. The unique Cary-Lift overhead lift arm design gives the operator full front visibility, and its solid steel body frame allows the machine to take full loads into sharp turns without sacrificing stability. “I see the future of the Cary-Lift as evolving, just like it always has,” said LaTendresse. “The first machines were in forestry. We evolved into pipe and pole handling. And we’re looking ahead toward diesel-electric hybrids and new applications, trying to find that next new niche.”
Cavaion Baumann USA welcomes Paul Bilson as Director of Dealer Development and National Accounts.
Paul will lead the effort to strengthen the Baumann dealer network throughout the U.S. and Canada. National accounts will also fall under Paul’s responsibility. Paul comes from Hyundai Material Handling where he was responsible for directing dealer development, national accounts, and government sales. He was a key contributor to Hyundai’s rise in the North American market over the past twelve years. He has also been involved with organizations such as MHEDA and NPCA (National Precast Concrete Association,) and will continue to be going forward. “Paul is a great fit for our organization,” said Rob Alling, President, and CEO of Baumann USA. “He comes highly regarded, and his relationships with forklift dealers throughout North Americas, in addition to his experience working with major accounts in the precast, steel, and lumber industries is what we were looking for to help grow our presence in the U.S. and Canada,” added Alling. “There is untapped potential for the use of heavy-duty side loaders in North America, and I am excited to be representing Baumann, a brand with a reputation for quality and design, much like the Hyundai big trucks I represented for many years,” Bilson said.
Invent Analytics wins RetailTech breakthrough award
The winning AI-driven Returns Positioning solution streamlines and profit-optimizes omni-channel returns by determining the optimal position for each item in real time Invent Analytics, announced it has won “Return Management Innovation of the Year” in the 2024 RetailTech Breakthrough Awards, an annual program that highlights the world’s best companies, products, and services in the retail technology industry. Invent Analytics was honored for its AI-driven Returns Positioning solution that enables omni-channel retailers to optimize the returns process for greater efficiency and profitability. The RetailTech Breakthrough Awards aims to perform the most comprehensive evaluation of retail technology tools, services, and companies today. With nominations coming in from innovators around the world, the program honors those who break through the crowded marketplace. Invent Analytics stood out for helping retailers leverage AI technology to overcome the rising complexities and costs of managing omnichannel returns. Invent Analytics’ Returns Positioning solution optimizes the returns process through: Intelligent rerouting: AI automatically determines the optimal position for each returned item in real-time Profit maximization: Inventory is placed where it has the highest probability of selling with the lowest routing cost Future returns forecasting: Return pattern forecasts to support proactive planning and efficient inventory allocation “While omni-channel has become the new standard, many retailers still manage returns based on simplistic rules. This outdated approach cannot handle the sheer volumes or complexities of omnichannel returns, and retailers end up with misallocated goods, lost sales, unnecessary liquidations, and lower profits,” said Tav Tepfer, Chief Revenue Officer, Invent Analytics. “At Invent, we offer a better way and we can go live in just a few weeks. Our Returns Positioning solution uses AI-decisioning to analyze every possible variable, then instantly determines where to route each returned item to give it the highest probability of reselling for the most profit before the season ends.” Notably, Invent Analytics’ Returns Positioning solution offers rapid implementation, and retailers see results in as little as 90 days. By leveraging the solution, Invent Analytics’ clients have successfully: Increased sales by 25-50% through the quicker reintroduction of returned items to the sales floor Increased profitability by sending items to where they have the highest likelihood of resale Reduced liquidations by 2-5% by optimally positioning inventory to decrease on-hand units at the end of the season Tepfer continued, “We’re very excited to be named a winner in this year’s RetailTech Breakthrough Awards. Our team looks forward to continuously delivering innovative, AI-driven solutions that ensure our retail clients are well-equipped to satisfy the demands of modern consumers.”
Brent Barcey joins OSARO as SVP to fuel growth in e-commerce
Barcey’s broad experience in selling advanced robotics, logistics and fulfillment solutions into leading e-commerce operations aligns with OSARO’s mission to broaden market adoption of its precision pick-and-place robotics solutions in fast-paced e-commerce environments. OSARO has announced the appointment of industry veteran Brent Barcey as senior vice-president of corporate development. Barcey brings 25 years of experience growing global businesses and teams in the e-commerce, warehousing, and logistics industries to OSARO, where he will spearhead the company’s commercial growth as it addresses the surging global demand for e-commerce fulfillment solutions. Barcey joins OSARO from Plus One Robotics, where he served as vice president of sales and business development. In this position, he played a key role in driving revenue and establishing strategic partnerships. Prior to Plus One Robotics, Barcey held the position of executive director of global sales at FANUC America Corporation, a leading industrial robot manufacturer. He is currently Chair of Events for The Robotics Group Committee at the Materials Handling Industry (MHI) trade association. “We are pleased to welcome Brent Barcey to the OSARO team,” said Derik Pridmore, CEO of OSARO. “Brent’s proven track record in sales and business development within the robotics industry makes him an invaluable asset. His deep understanding of the global e-commerce landscape and the critical role automation plays in fulfilling customer demands will be instrumental in propelling OSARO’s growth.” Barcey’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for OSARO, which recently announced a partnership with Tokyo-based IHI Logistics & Machinery Corporation (IHI). The e-commerce market is experiencing explosive growth, placing immense pressure on fulfillment centers to meet ever-increasing customer expectations. OSARO’s AI robotic software powers a broad and compelling range of automation solutions, enabling fulfillment centers to reduce labor challenges, improve efficiency, and reduce costs by automating piece-picking tasks across the operation–from depalletizing incoming inventory to packaging outbound orders in kits and polybags. “I’m delighted to join OSARO at this time in its evolution,” said Barcey. “OSARO’s intelligent robotic solutions, powered by its industry-leading SightWorks Perception System, are demonstrably revolutionizing complex tasks across the fulfillment center by offering a compelling mix of fast time-to-value, flexibility, and adaptability. I’m eager to leverage my experience building strategic partnerships and expanding market reach to ensure OSARO remains at the forefront of this exciting revolution.”