(St. Louis, MO: May 27, 2004) Global engineering group FKI plc (LSE:FKI.L) today announced its Board of Directors has named Stephen Ackerman president of FKI Logistex North America—the FKI material handling division serving the North American markets—to succeed David Martin, who is leaving the company to pursue other business interests. The appointment of Ackerman, currently president of FKI Logistex Alvey Systems, is effective immediately. Reg Gott, a member of the FKI plc board and managing director of FKI Logistex worldwide said, "As part of the FKI Logistex global strategy of growing profitable revenue and market share on the base of its current investment in industry-leading brands and technologies, it has been decided to reshape the structure of the organization.
The first of a series of worldwide changes, these moves are the result of an intensive global study on how best to align our brands and divisions for maximum growth and customer satisfaction."" The appointment of Mr. Ackerman follows the group's decision to form customer-focused operations dedicated to providing improved solutions and services to specific markets. This will further position our material handling business units to capitalize on expanding markets and opportunities around the world," said Gott. In the North American region, these customer-focused operations will include: an Airport, Post and Parcel operation; a Warehouse and Distribution operation; and a Manufacturing Systems operation.
Reporting to Ackerman as management of these new units will be John Kelly, president of the Airport, Post and Parcel operation; John Westendorf, president of the Warehouse and Distribution operation; and Dave Baker, president of the Manufacturing Systems operation.Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Ackerman said: "I am pleased to be given the opportunity to help write the next chapter in the company's history. I appreciate the importance of this appointment, and the exciting potential for growth of FKI Logistex based on continued investment in providing our customers with industry-leading solutions and services."
Prior to serving as president of FKI Logistex Alvey Systems, Ackerman served as vice president of integrated system sales at Alvey, responsible for the strategic direction and growth of Alvey's Systems Group and Integrated Business Solutions division. Ackerman joined Alvey as Director for the Central Region in 1994, with responsibility for sales, engineering and project management. Ackerman received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.
About FKI Logistex North America
FKI Logistex® North America ( www.fkilogistex.com ) is a leading supplier of integrated material handling solutions, meeting market needs via three customer-focused operations: Airport, Post and Parcel; Warehouse and Distribution; and Manufacturing Systems.
FKI Logistex supplies its customers with an integrated set of leading edge technologies in high-speed sortation, conveyor systems, carousels, palletizing, paperless pick products, AS/RS, controls, order processing software, RFID implementation, warehouse control systems, and total materials handling automation.FKI Logistex is home to the material handling industry's most successful and recognized brands, including Alvey palletizers, Buschman conveyors, Cleco cranes and AS/RS solutions, Crisplant sorters and baggage handling applications, IoSystems supervisory and automated control systems, Mathews conveyors, Real Time Solutions order fulfillment and picking solutions, and White carousels and automated storage solutions.
For more information on any of the FKI Logistex operations, click here to visit the FKI Logistex media center. For sales information, contact FKI Logistex by phone at (877) 935-4564 or by e-mail at [email protected] .
