Equipment Report

Liebherr announces new divisional director and sustainability GM

Liebherr USA Co., a Newport News, Virginia-based construction and material handling equipment business unit of Europe-based conglomerate Liebherr AG, has appointed Shane Kuhlmey as divisional director for Crawler Cranes, Deep Foundation Machines and Maritime Cranes.

Kuhlmey previously led Liebherr’s mining division, where he built and led a nationwide team of mining experts to achieve advancements in efficiency and safety.

“As I transition to the Crawler Cranes, Deep Foundation Machines and Maritime Cranes division, I look forward to learning about the intricacies of the crane and maritime industries, meeting our valued customers and building strong, lasting relationships,” Kuhlmey says. “I am enthusiastic about the future and committed to ensuring continued success and growth.”

Liebherr also has appointed Alexandra Hobgood as general manager of corporate responsibility and sustainability.

In her role, Hobgood will oversee sustainability initiatives throughout Liebherr’s U.S. locations by educating stakeholders, implementing new processes and providing additional structure to current programs.

Hobgood previously worked with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia, where she engaged in laboratory work and water testing, Liebherr says. She also worked for the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she was involved in the management and implementation of safety and environmental programs.

“There are a lot of great processes already being implemented at Liebherr, so the structure for building a strong program is already in motion,” Hobgood says.

Brokk opens new Canadian distribution center

Brokk, a Monroe, Washington-based remote-controlled demolition machines manufacturer, has opened a distribution center in Hamilton, Ontario. The new location will be run by Jim Bennett, who has joined the Brokk team in Canada as warehouse and logistics manager.

Bennett’s responsibilities include managing products and assisting customers and regional sales managers by providing parts support throughout Canada.

The new 4,000-foot Canadian distribution facility will house the full line of demolition machines with attachments as well as Aquajet Hydrodemolition robots and parts inventory for both brands. The new center also will offer Brokk and Aquajet demonstrations.

“Adding a distribution center gets us closer to our Canadian customers and generally streamlines the ordering and shipping process,” Brokk Inc. President Lars Lindgren says. “We’re all excited to see what Jim will make of the facility and how it will help our customers in the Toronto area and beyond. He has a wealth of warehouse management experience and will closely monitor demand for Brokk and Aquajet to ensure optimal stock.”

Bennett has more than 30 years of warehouse and logistics experience within the auto and construction sectors. He started working as a warehouse manager before working his way up to operations supervisor. His last two positions have been as a warehouse manager and warehouse supervisor before transitioning to his current role with Brokk.

“My whole career has been customer driven, and that’s what’s so exciting about this role,” Bennett says. “My vision aligns with Brokk’s. The new facility will help meet our goal of providing Canadian customers with machines and parts from both Brokk and Aquajet.”

Sennebogen expanding capacity in North Carolina

Sennebogen LLC, the Stanley, North Carolina-based subsidiary of Germany-based Sennebogen GmbH, hosted a ceremony to celebrate an expansion of its campus in Stanley.

Saying its subsidiary in the United States “has been very successful for almost 25 years,” Sennebogen credits the North Carolina-based business unit for its reach into several industry sectors, including metal recycling, steel mills, the timber industry, port operations and waste management.

Sennebogen LLC, founded in 2000, initially was housed “in modest rented premises,” the company says. “Nine years later, thanks to dynamic growth, the company was able to move into its own location with offices, training rooms and a large spare parts warehouse.”

Four years after that, Sennebogen had to double its space, and a spring 2024 groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark “an impressive further expansion” that will entail the creation of an additional three training rooms and halls, new office space, a spacious apprenticeship workshop based on the German model and a presentation and demonstration area.

The more than 160,000 square feet of floor space that will exist after expansion will be situated on Sennebogen’s 35-acre site in Stanley.

At the North Carolina campus, Sennebogen hosts sales partners and customers from the U.S., Canada, Central America, Brazil and Uruguay.

“With 110 employees and the continued market success of the last 24 years, this investment forms the basis for the further expansion of the company’s market leadership in these important markets,” the company says.

Hyva creates global recycling business unit

Hyva, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of dump body tipping and hydraulic lift solutions, has named industry veteran Chris Zuniga as head of sales for its recently created North American Recycling business unit. Zuniga will focus on Hyva’s extensive hooklift product line and introduce U.S. waste haulers to Hyva’s soon-to-be-released family of small rear loaders.

Zuniga has more than 25 years of experience in global refuse, vocational and commercial vehicle sales and distribution. He previously led Oshkosh’s commercial segment sales efforts for all markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. Zuniga will handle developing marketing, sales and distribution for Hyva’s newly created Recycling business unit.

“I am excited to be part of such a truly global team and honored to be given the opportunity to lead sales and distribution development in North America,” Zuniga says. “I look forward to the opportunity to leverage Hyva’s global footprint and product offering to meet the needs of refuse and container-handling customers across North America.”

Hyva says the newly formed Recycling business unit is part of a new strategy to separate its business units into three distinct entities: components, cranes and recycling. Each will have its own leadership and infrastructure, allowing for more focus and accountability.