Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, announced December 22 that it is making organizational changes to further its strategic goal of being a global leader in the material handling industry. Timothy T. Tevens, president and chief executive officer of Columbus McKinnon, commented, "We have made excellent progress over the last few years in our efforts to expand our global presence in the material handling industry. These organizational changes strengthen the alignment of our operations to achieve our strategic vision, accelerate our decision-making processes, recognize the development of our leadership team and help to capture the synergies from our recent acquisition." The restructuring will be effective January 5, 2009.
To support the integration of Germany-based Pfaff-silberblau, capitalize on the leadership gained in the global actuator business through the acquisition as well as to capture greater synergies, the U.S.-based Duff Norton division, which designs and manufactures industrial components including mechanical and electromechanical actuators, will now report to Wolfgang Wegener, vice president and managing director for CMCO Europe.
The new organizational structure also includes additional responsibilities for Gene Buer, executive director of hoist products, and Charles Giesige, executive director for rigging products. Buer will now have responsibility for hoist products in all the Americas. The Columbus McKinnon crane business, CES, will now report to Giesige to create more focus on lifting systems. Buer and Giesige will report directly to Tevens.
Global supply chain management for the entire organization will be brought under Joseph Owen's leadership in the newly created position of vice president for supply chain management. As part of this realignment, Corporate Quality will also report to Owen.
With these organizational changes, the chief operating officer position will be eliminated. Derwin Gilbreath, who joined Columbus McKinnon in February 2005 as COO, in what was then a newly created position, is helping to manage the transition and will be leaving the company in January.
Tevens noted, "Derwin has been instrumental in our efforts to reduce our cost structure, improve our speed to market, and shorten lead times. He has developed his managers to be able to take on greater challenges which enabled this globally-oriented organization structure. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
About Columbus McKinnon
Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services, which efficiently and ergonomically move, lift position or secure materials. Key products include hoists, cranes, chain and forged attachments. The Company is focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by its superior design and engineering know-how.
