Belden acquires Hirchmann Automation and Control

Belden, manufacturer of signal transmission products, has completed the acquisition of Hirschmann Automation and Control GmBh from HgCapital, for a cash price of nearly $260 million.

Acquiring HAC, a supplier of industrial ethernet solutions and industrial connectivity, is consistent with Belden’s goal of expanding business beyond cable, to signal transmission solutions. In addition Hirchmann brings a portfolio of connectors for the industrial market, and wide-ranging competence in digital communication and connectivity for industrial automation and large-scale public infrastructure.

“Hirschmann has leveraged its knowledge of industrial automation into a leading position in digital communication for manufacturing and large-scale infrastructure projects,” said John Stroup, president and chief executive officer of Belden.

HAC, headquartered in Neckartenzlingen, Germany is led by Reinhard Sitzmann, CEO, who will continue in that role. In addition to its Industrial Ethernet and connectivity product lines, HAC has a leading position in electronic control and safety systems for cranes and other load-bearing equipment.

“HAC and Belden have highly complementary products and market positions,” Sitzmann said. “Belden will be able to strengthen HAC’s market presence in North America and Asia.We welcome this combination with Belden and look forward to a creative and dynamic future.”

Genie makes waves with awards, announcements

Genie Industries has been named 2006 Vendor of the Year by Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc. Genie supplies Volvo Rents locally owned franchises with its aerial work platform and telehandler products. According to Mike Crouch, Volvo Rents vice president of global operations, the award was based on the feedback of franchises in areas including local sales and service support, parts pricing and availability and lead times.

“The entire Genie organization is extremely proud to receive the Vendor of the Year recognition from Volvo Rents,” said Steve Headden, Genie regional sales manager.

In addition to being named top vendor, the Genie organization also reports the personnel appointments of Matt Fearon and Melinda Zimme rman-Smith. Fearon, formerly vice president of manufacturing and engineering operations for Genie Industries’ facilities in Washington State, will assume the newly created post of president and managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Russia for the Terex Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Business which includes Genie, Terex Lift, Terex light construction products and Terex Load King. Zimmerman-Smith has joined the company as marketing communications manager and will be responsible for directing Genie’s marketing communications efforts.

Hitachi receives Frost & Sullivan award

Hitachi America, Ltd. was the recipient of the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Award for Excellence in Technology & Product Value in the variable speed drives market.

An upshot of Hitachi’s research and development efforts is the “intelligent sensorless vector control” introduced in the SJ200 series of inverters, which can overcome the complicated auto-tuning process to achieve optimal performance.

“Hitachi has demonstrated diligence in integrating various technologies into value-enhancing solutions to exceed customer expectations,” said Frost & Sullivan Team Leader Shibu S L. “It is focusing on changing its flexible business model into a keen customer-focused R&D culture across geographic boundaries.”

Each year Frost & Sullivan presents the award to the company that has demonstrated commitment to continuously evolve and remain a participant in the drives market by adopting technologies and providing products that offer better value to customers. The varied services that the company offers and the benefits that the clients receive through its efforts are important measuring tools that set the company apart.

The Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

Iveco Motors names new general manager

Iveco Motors of North Amercia, Inc., a Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) company, announced the appointment of Ted Bregar as general manager, effective immediately.

As general manager of Iveco Motors of North America, Bregar operates the North American headquarters. His responsibilities include overseeing strategy, finances and sales of the Iveco Motors’ North American entity to assess the company’s current and future growth. Additionally, Bregar works closely with Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ headquarters in Torino, Italy, to monitor product management and production, as well as strategize market presence and establish effective goals for engine consumption. Furthermore, Bregar communicates regularly with distributors to ensure customer satisfaction.

“I am thrilled to stay within the Fiat family, joining such a reputable company that is globally recognized for its exceptional engines,” Bregar said. “I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to lead Iveco Motors’ of North America through an aggressive growth strategy for its continued success.”

Prior to joining Iveco Motors, Bregar was vice president of product development at Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ sister company CNH Global, LLC, where he managed product development for global light construction equipment and was in charge of engineering, research and development, new product development, strategy and current product management. Bregar was responsible for five platforms including skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, telescopic material handlers, forklifts and loader landscapers and had the task of managing five research and development centers around the world. Additionally, Bregar spent 21 years with Caterpiller, Inc. starting as a strategic and business planning analyst and ultimately becoming manager, new product introduction for Caterpillar Machine Engines.

“Ted’s extensive background in national and global management, coupled with the outstanding results he produced for CNH Global proves that he is an excellent fit for our company,” said Natale Rigano, vice president marketing and sales, Fiat Powertrain Technologies“We are excited to have him as part of our team.”

JLG names new president, personnel changes

JLG has been making news. Recently, Oshkosh Truck Corp. announced Craig Paylor was named president of JLG Industries, Inc., effective immediately. Most recently, Paylor had served as vice president for marketing for JLG with global responsibility for business development, sales, marketing, customer services and aftermarket.

Since joining JLG in 1978 as a district manager, Paylor held increasingly responsible, customer-focused roles primarily in the areas of sales, marketing and business development. In 1996, Paylor became an officer of JLG and was appointed senior vice president of sales and market development in 1999. During his nearly 30 years with JLG, the company has grown from annual revenues of $40 million to $2.3 billion in fiscal 2006.

“Craig brings exceptionally strong leadership skills, broad business acumen, international business management capabilities and an acutely perceptive understanding of JLG’s customers and markets to this role. He has led many of the developments in the access equipment industry during his career, including JLG’s most recent ServicePlus initiative, which offers improved life cycle management to rental and end user customers. I am delighted we found such an outstanding leader within JLG and am confident in his ability to drive JLG’s growth in revenues and development of its value proposition for the global market,” said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh’s chairman, president and chief executive officer in a written statement. Paylor succeeds Charlie Szews, Oshkosh’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, in the position. Szews had been acting president since Oshkosh’s acquisition of JLG in December 2006 and now returns full time to his corporate responsibilities.

“I would also like to thank Charlie Szews for his exceptional leadership during the integration of JLG into our corporation. His contributions have been extremely valuable to JLG and to the corporation,” Bohn said.

Paylor holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

JLG also announced promotions in sales and customer support. Chris Mellott was appointed to vice president of customer assurance; Brent Yohn was appointed to vice president of field sales and service for North America and Todd Truax became director of training.

And in the leadership vein, Wayne Lawson, Mike Rafi, Joe Dixon and Kirsten Skyba will each expand their roles with JLG. Lawson will assume expanded responsibility with development and implementation of EAME market development and sales strategies. Rafi was appointed as to position of vice president and general manager for Caterpillar Alliance Group. Dixon was appointed to the position of vice president and general manager of ServicePlus, and Skyba accepted the position of vice president of global marketing for JLG.

JLG announces Army order valued at $39.5 million

JLG has received a delivery order valued at $39.5 million for ATLAS telehandlers to the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). This order is in addition to a previous $23 million contract awarded in August 2006, bringing the total value to $62.5 million. In addition, there is an option to purchase up to 60 additional ATLAS vehicles with an estimated value of $8.6 million. The ATLAS telehandlers will be delivered for deployment to the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. National Guard, and Foreign Military Sales customers.

The combat-proven ATLAS telehandler transports a variety of materials through water, sand, mud and other rugged terrain our troops encounter. The ATLAS is equipped with four-wheel drive, and features high ground clearance, frame leveling and plenty of horsepower. The availability of multiple attachments such as various fork configurations, a utility bucket, and fork-rollers provide added versatility.

Leica Geosystems expands market reach in Michigan

The 13-year old engineering consulting firm, Abletech, Inc. of Dexter, MI., recently has become a Leica Geosystems’ machine automation distributor primarily serving Michigan. Abletech has been a consulting engineering firm associated with site preparation projects involving commercial, industrial and residential developments, and environmental land projects.

“The machine automation systems product line offered by Leica Geosystems is an ideal fit for enhancing the new direction I am taking our company,” said Michael Olson, president, Abletech.“Instead of consulting for-a-fee basis, as we did in the past, we now offer our engineering expertise on-site preparation and other construction projects in association with the application of Leica Geosystems’ machine automation equipment.”

Olson chose to take on the Leica Geosystems product line based on the business experiences he had with an Abletech customer. “We have installed more than 80 Leica Geosystems’ GPS permanent reference stations in Michigan and New York for Leica Geosystems Inc; through our association with the company we have learned that its machine automation equipment is not only leading the industry with advanced technology but the Leica Geosystems people are very knowledgeable, professional and it’s a pleasure to work with them.

“No matter how good a brand of machine automation equipment is, the customer will need competent before and after-sale, just-in-time service; our civil engineering expertise coupled with the Leica Geosystems tech team will afford the customer the support he needs for successfully using the Leica Geosystems machine automation products.”

Besides the machine automation systems, Abletech will market Leica Geosystems construction laser and level product lines.

Safety Vision president named Small Business Person of the Year

Safety Vision, a Houston-headquartered provider of mobile video solutions, announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Safety Vision president Bruce Smith as Small Business Person of the Year. The award coincided with National Small Business Week, which celebrates the small business community’s contributions to the American economy and society.

Every year, the award goes to several recipients: one from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Selection criteria include the businesses’ staying power, territorial expansion, square footage occupied, increase in net worth, and growth in personnel.

Safety Vision has been helping safeguard people and property since its 1993 founding, when Smith was a one-man operation. Over the years, Smith and company evolved from distributor of a single mobile camera line to designer, manufacturer, and installer of Safety Vision’s own complete suite of mobile video products. The company today has more than 115 employees, serving an international client base out of six offices across the U.S.

Under Smith’s hand, Safety Vision also has been helping the community, supporting charitable causes including Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PBS, and the Houston Food Bank. And, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the company played a prominent local role in disaster recovery, volunteering man-hours and floor space to run a designated drop-off point for hurricane relief items. Additionally, Smith established a 100 percent company match for employee cash donations to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

“This is a special award for me—as a businessman, a Texan, and an American,” Smith said in a written statement.“I’m proud of the growth and accomplishments of the company I founded, and I’m proud of the contributions we’ve made to the country’s economy and to the safety and well-being of its citizens.”