Equipment report

ZenRobotics names new CEO

ZenRobotics Ltd., headquartered in Helsinki, has announced that its board recently appointed Wolfgang Schiller as the company’s new CEO, effective immediately. Prior to joining ZenRobotics, Schiller was the vice president of electronics industry at Germany-based KUKA AG.

As CEO of ZenRobotics, Schiller will be responsible for further developing ZenRobotics’ business and accelerating the use of intelligent robots in waste management, the company says.

“Wolfgang’s appointment as CEO is a clear reflection of the company’s readiness for the next phase of development. He brings demonstrated experience in driving significant growth by putting customers and innovation at the heart of the business,” says Wassim Sacre, chairman of the board of ZenRobotics and managing director of Invus, an investment firm based in New York.

Rising demand for intelligent waste sorting solutions paves the way for ZenRobotics’ expansion in deploying artificial intelligence-based sorting robots to the waste management industry, the company says.

“ZenRobotics is one of those rare companies that have truly revolutionized the world through technology, and I couldn’t be more honored to be chosen to lead the company,” Schiller says. “The opportunity arising before ZenRobotics is vast, and to seize it, we must have a clear focus, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our customers faster.”

His previous positions at KUKA AG include vice president, electronics industry; director, area Europe; and director, customer services Europe. Prior to KUKA, Schiller held several management positions in various technology companies.

Hyundai adds authorized dealer in the Northeast

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, based in Norcross, Georgia, has announced the expansion of its North American authorized dealer network with the addition of Butler Equipment LLC. Butler Equipment, a family-owned and -operated outdoor power product supplier based in West Hartford, Connecticut, will be offering Hyundai Construction Equipment at its retail location. Hyundai says it will be a valued addition to its Northeast territory.

With the addition of this new dealership, Hyundai’s North American network now includes over 70 dealerships operating in just over 150 locations, offering sales, service and parts for the full line of Hyundai excavators, wheel loaders, compaction rollers and other construction equipment.

“Butler Equipment will be a great addition to the Hyundai Construction Equipment dealer network. They currently service the compact construction and landscape market in central Connecticut, and Hyundai will allow them to better service their customer base, along with new customers’ needs, for larger equipment,” says Bill Klein, the Northeast district manager of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas.

Hyundai says its sales, service and parts teams deliver regular product and service training to ensure dealer partners are able to provide top-caliber support to meet the growing business needs of Hyundai Construction Equipment customers.

Sierra acquires Wolf Pack Enterprises

Bakersfield, California-based Sierra International Machinery has announced the acquisition of Wolf Pack Enterprises, a heavy equipment service provider based in Secaucus, New Jersey. Sierra says Wolf Pack Enterprises has been the preferred contract service provider for its equipment since 2012. The company also announced the establishment of the Sierra East Coast Service Center in a news release.

“We are excited to expand the reach of our phenomenal service department and the support they provide, and I believe there is no better person to assist with this next step in the future of Sierra than [Wolf Pack Enterprises owner] Wayne Wolf,” says John Sacco, the president and owner of Sierra International Machinery. “Wayne and his team have been a tremendous asset to Sierra over these past several years, and I have the utmost confidence in their knowledge and ability to continue providing the service and support that our customers want and need.”

“This move has been a long time coming,” Wolf says. “We’ve been doing contract work for Sierra as a service provider for over six years, and this relationship will allow us to continue providing the outstanding service that my team and Sierra already provide, but on a larger and better scale.”

Wolf and his team will work with the Sierra service department, overseen by Doug Barnett, general service manager. Wolf will manage the Sierra East Coast Service Center resources, including tech training and customer support.

Eriez names executive VP, chief marketing officer

Eriez, Erie, Pennsylvania, promoted Charlie Ingram to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief marketing officer, effective Jan. 1. Ingram most recently served as the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.

“Over his 25 years of dedicated service to Eriez, Charlie has played a key role in developing and executing sales and marketing strategies which have significantly contributed to our company’s substantial growth and worldwide success. He is an extremely effective, respected and strategic leader in the industries we serve,” says Tim Shuttleworth, president and CEO of Eriez.

As executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Ingram will oversee global marketing operations and facilitate greater collaboration and standardization of marketing resources utilized by the company’s 10 subsidiaries and 12 manufacturing locations. According to an Eriez news release, Ingram will help to introduce new Eriez products to target countries, as well as manage product line realignment and standardize product designs based on market intelligence. Other duties include monitoring the professional growth of Eriez’ sales and marketing team, enhancing customer satisfaction through improved sales processes and tracking global marketing performance.

The company reports that Ingram joined Eriez in 1994 as a national sales manager. Prior to that, he was manager of international marketing at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, also serving as general manager of the company’s Canadian affiliate. His career also includes 10 years at Warner & Swasey, a machine tool manufacturer, where he rose to manager of product sales. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Denison University and received a certificate in advanced management from the University of Tennessee.

According to Eriez, Ingram serves on the advisory board of Mercyhurst University’s Walker College of Business, the Sterling Technologies Inc. board of directors, and as a trustee fellow of Denison University. He is also a member of the Edinboro University President’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Manufacturers’ Agents National Association (MANA) board of directors. Previously, Ingram was the president of the Erie Philharmonic board of directors, Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania, and the Process Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (PEMA).