Pro Mach companies Axon, Kleenline, Ossid, and Benchmark Automation announce key personnel additions to bolster the companies’ growth.
Axon has named Bob Williams Vice President and General Manager of Axon. Williams joined the company in 2014 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to working for Axon, Williams was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Triangle Packaging Machinery Company. During his 27-year career in the packaging industry he also held senior level management and sales and marketing positions with such firms as SWF Companies and GD Package Machinery, Inc. Williams, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Engineering.
“Since joining the company, Bob has demonstrated exceptional skills in marketing innovation to the packaging industry,” says Bud Lane, President, Pro Mach Primary Packaging Group. “I’m confident that his energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm will enable him to provide the exceptional leadership that is essential for our ongoing growth.”
KLEENLine named Gene Shaw the division’s new Vice President and General Manager.Shaw has held senior posts in management and sales at such companies as Extreme Packaging, Osgood, Inc., Oystar, and Barry Wehmiller. He has helped customers with filling systems, carton and case formers, and high speed shrink wrappers and over wrap systems, conveyors, palletizers, inspections systems, robotic handling equipment, and total end-of-line solutions.
“We are excited to have Gene lead the KLEENLine team into the future,” says Bret Ranc, Senior Vice President of Pro Mach and head of the Pro Mach Material Handling group, which includes KLEENLine. “His industry expertise will help him to anticipate market changes, empowering him to keep KLEENLine ahead of competitors by offering our customers the best solutions for their product lines.”
Benchmark Automation announced that Eric Cruse has been named the company’s new Midwest Regional Sales Engineer. He is responsible for accelerating the growth of Benchmark Automation equipment sales through close working relationships with manufacturers’ representatives and by developing new business opportunities throughout the Midwest.
Cruse comes to Benchmark Automation from Peerless Food Equipment where he held positions of increasing responsibility, rising from a controls engineer/project manager to Senior Service Manager, Director of Aftermarket Sales and Service, and, most recently, to Regional Sales Director of the Western Region. He holds a degree in electrical engineering with emphasis on controls and will be completing an MBA program at Indiana Wesleyan University later this year. Benchmark Automation, a member of the Pro Mach Material Handling Group, is a leading manufacturer of feeding, loading, and stacking solutions for food and baked goods producing customers.
“Eric has nearly 20 years of experience focused on industrial systems and spent the past decade serving customers in the baking industry,” says Vince Tamborello, Vice President and General Manager, Benchmark Automation. “He is the ideal person to represent our company in the Midwest. Eric not only has the technical skills and expertise required, but also a deep regard and dedication to service and responsiveness that spells the difference between a good sales engineer and a great one.”
Ossid hired Andrew Birdwell as the company’s Southeast Sales Representative. His primary role will be to foster strong relationships with new and existing customers as well as expand Ossid’s business into new markets. Ossid designs and manufactures packaging equipment for the food and medical device industries, as well as for consumer goods.
“Since joining Ossid in early 2014, Andrew spent six months training within the organization,” says Jason Angel, Vice President of Sales at Ossid. “With his extensive exposure to all aspects of the company, combined with his past management and customer service experience, he is well equipped to help the company grow within its core customer base as well as capture market share in other industries.”
Most recently Birdwell served as a management assistant for Enterprise Holdings, LLC. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, he held a number of teaching positions in the United States and China.
