The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, recently welcomed four new member companies.

Distributor members

Misumi USA (Schaumburg, Ill.) currently serves more than 240,000 customers worldwide by supplying mechanical components for factory automation, press die and plastic mold components, cutting tools and gauges. Chuck Millstead, PT product manager, said, “We value our PTDA membership because of the opportunities available to better understand and support development within the PT market. We are committed to the continual evolution of our business model in order to support our customers and industry.” Learn more at misumiusa.com.

Verona Industrial Equipment, LLC (DBA Williams Motors & Drives) (Howell, Mich.) sells and distributes the highest value electric motors, drives & starter controls and gearbox equipment to meet specialized applications with a focus on machine manufacturers, automotive, process industries, heavy industrial manufacturing and more. Learn more at veronaie.com.

 

Manufacturer members 

Habasit America (Suwanee, Ga.) is an innovative supplier of problem-solving belting solutions, representing the industry’s largest selection of power transmission and conveyor belting products, which includes fabric, plastic modular, chain, monolithic and timing belts. “Expertise defines our brand, and PTDA offers insight into the trends and technologies that shape the industry. We also value the opportunity to join a community of like-minded partners and customers,” said Paul Cunningham, national accounts manager. Learn more at habasitamerica.com.

Jones Bearing Co. (Pelham, Ala.) is a manufacturer of one of the first mounted roller bearings made in America. “The original Jones bearing is still made today, yet we have constantly grown our product offering now to include a variety of mounted roller bearings, power transmission products and conveying equipment. We are committed to strengthening and expanding personal relationships with our customers and industry leaders. Our quest to further this commitment has naturally led us to join PTDA and we are proud to become a member,” said Mat Adams, VP sales. Learn more at jonesbearing.com.

Power Transmission Distributors Association
ptda.org

 

Chuck Sena has been named Industry Manager – Sanitary for Dorner. Within this role, Sena will be working with sales, marketing and channel partners to develop and execute strategic plans to drive sales of Dorner’s sanitary conveyor platform to both new and existing customers and markets.

Sena brings nearly 30 years experience of conveyor, packaging machinery and specialty handling equipment sales and marketing to Dorner. He most recently held the position of Distributor Manager for packaging products at Nercon, a conveyor manufacturer in Neenah, Wisconsin. His career also includes selling weigh scales and metal detector products within the food, personal care and chemical industries.

“I’m excited to get started and continue the work already established in promoting Dorner’s sanitary platform,” Sena said. “Dorner is the premier brand in the sanitary conveyor market, and I’m looking forward to demonstrating to new and existing customers why we’re the preferred brand of choice.”

Sena, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, lives in the Madison,Wisconsin area.

Dorner Conveyor
www.dorner.com

 

Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH has announced the appointment of David Doyle as CEO of Heidenhain Corp., effective Oct. 1, 2018. At that time, Doyle will assume full responsibility for the Heidenhain Corp. customer-focused operations for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This change will complete the succession plan for Rick Korte, current CEO of Heidenhain, who will be retiring at that time after more than 34 years of service.

“I am happy to announce the next phase of the succession plan for our North American operations, with the promotion of David Doyle to CEO,” said Korte. “I have the utmost confidence in David and trust he will continue to grow our business and support our customers with World Class service in all areas.”

Doyle started with Heidenhain in 2016 as VP of Sales & Marketing, bringing with him more than twenty-five years of experience in international capital equipment business and technical support management. He currently serves as its President and Managing Director.

“I want to thank Rick Korte for leading Heidenhain Corp. in tremendous growth over these many years, and for the guidance he has provided to not only myself, but to the many staff members who have called Heidenhain home for so long,” said Doyle. “I am looking forward to leading the Heidenhain Corp. team through the next phase of development and to reaching our growth objectives in North America by continuing to put our customers first.”

Heidenhain
www.heidenhain.us

 

Kristin Werner, a student at Hennepin Technical College in Minneapolis, has been named recipient of the 2018 Richard C. Ryan Packaging Education Scholarship, funded by Dorner.

This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in a two- or four-year program at any of PMMI’s partner schools. The scholarship was established in honor of Richard Ryan, the former president and CEO of Dorner, who passed away suddenly in September 2012. Ryan was a member of the PMMI Board of Directors and encouraged lifelong learning. His commitment to education inspired the creation of this memorial scholarship.

Kristen just completed her first year at Hennepin Technical College, where she earned a 4.0 GPA studying Automated Robotics Engineering Technology. Her high academic achievements have earned her distinctions in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Hennepin Technical College President’s Academic Honor’s Club.

“My goal is to be someone who can offer solutions to existing or future problems as they relate to packaging and automation,” Werner wrote in her scholarship’s essay. “I know there will be many challenges and opportunities with the upcoming Baby Boomer generation retiring, and I would like to help address some of those challenges and use the opportunities to enrich their lives.”

This candidates for this year’s Ryan Packaging Education Scholarship were particularly strong, but it was Werner’s drive and determination that helped set her apart from others.

“Ms. Werner’s story embodies many of the elements that Rich would have wished us apply during the selection process: resilience, demonstrated need, a desire to learn and a genuine interest in self-improvement,” said Matt Jones, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Dorner. “We wish Ms. Werner the best as she looks forward to new opportunities in both personal and professional growth.”

Now in its fifth year, the Richard C. Ryan Packaging Education Scholarship is awarded to a student who presents merit in GPA, faculty recommendation and commitment to excellence within the packaging industry. Students applying for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Be enrolled in either a two- or four-year school and pursuing an undergraduate degree
• Be majoring in packaging engineering or a related area
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the packaging area
• Be currently enrolled and attending a PMMI partnering school
• Demonstrate extra-curricular involvement, such as athletics
• Have a recommendation from faculty
• Have a financial need

Founded in 1933, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies represents more than 800 North American manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials, as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industries. PMMI’s vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging and processing, and its mission is to improve and promote members’ abilities to succeed in a global marketplace.

 

According to the newly released PTDA Voice of the End Customer report — which includes quantitative and qualitative responses from more than 1,200 customers of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products from a variety of industries — there are distinct differences in what end customers want from their distributors depending on the type of industry, the role of the person within their company and even their geographic location.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has made the report and webinar recording available as a free download to its members only, providing them with knowledge to better target and sell to their end customers to ensure that buying through a PTDA distributor member will be an end customer’s channel of choice. In addition, the report’s authors and researchers will be presenting an exclusive distributor-only workshop at the PTDA 2018 Industry Summit to help PTDA members align their value proposition to changing customer needs.

PTDA first VP, Jim Halverson, manager power products, Van Meter Inc., (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) said, “We have already put this information to use at our company to win more business from end customers. My team has been all over the data. It’s very valuable intel.”

Illustrating the value of the research, more than 30% of PTDA member companies participated in a recent webinar which covered some of the key aspects of the findings. The report and webinar are only available to PTDA members. Learn more at ptda.org/Voice. Distributor companies interested in becoming PTDA members can review the qualifications and access an application at ptda.org/Join.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $16 billion in sales and span more than 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA
ptda.org

Kelly J. Tebon has been named to lead the expansion of Dorner’s Aftermarket Sales program. Within this role, Tebon will be working with sales, marketing and channel partners to create and implement long-term strategic plans to grow Dorner’s Aftermarket Sales program to new and existing customers around the world.

Tebon comes to Dorner with nearly 20 years experience in sales, marketing and management. He’s worked for major consumer and industrial companies, holding titles including brand manager, product manager, sales manager, and most recently global retail channel business manager for a national adhesives manufacturer. Tebon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and an MBA in marketing from Concordia University – Wisconsin.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Dorner and providing support, product and parts expertise to help our customers reach their performance goals,” Tebon said.

Tebon lives in the Milwaukee area.

Dorner Mfg. Corp.
www.dornerconveyors.com

Twin Disc Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Veth Propulsion Holding, B.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, a global supplier of main and auxiliary marine propulsion products.  The purchase price is approximately $58.6 million plus net cash, with potential adjustments based on Veth Propulsion’s working capital as of the closing date, and will be financed through a combination of cash and new debt facilities.  Additional consideration of up to approximately $3.9 million will be paid in Twin Disc common stock if certain earn-out provisions are met.  The acquisition is expected to be completed in July 2018 and is subject to typical closing conditions.

For more than 65 years, Veth Propulsion has provided the global marine industry with innovative and leading propulsion and power control products and associated services.  Headquartered in Papendrecht, Netherlands, Veth Propulsion is a customer-oriented manufacturer of azimuth rudder propellers, thrusters and generator sets, and is a supplier and repairer of diesel engines. In December 2015, Veth Propulsion selected Twin Disc as its distributor for select Asian markets.  This unique relationship expanded with a North American distribution partnership in 2016.

“As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, I am excited to announce the accretive acquisition of Veth Propulsion. Twin Disc has worked with Veth Propulsion for over two years and the companies share similar cultures based on providing customers with high-quality products and leading design, engineering, and manufacturing services,” said John H. Batten, President and CEO of Twin Disc.  “Veth Propulsion strategically expands our global market opportunity, increases our size, scale, and scope within the marine industry, and diversifies our end-market penetration. This is part of our continual strategy to diversify our geographies, markets, and products.”

Strategic Fit of Veth Propulsion with Twin Disc:

• Broad and complementary product portfolio provides added value to new and existing customers
• Further globalizes Twin Disc’s engineering talent and creates opportunities for faster marine and propulsion product development, including hybrid technologies
• Reduces Twin Disc’s dependence on oil and gas, with new technology and sales outside of this market
• Creates significant synergy opportunities through increased global sales, service and after-sales support of up to $2 million in operating income on an annual basis by fiscal year 2021
• Produces compelling value creation opportunity, with strong earnings accretion and continued balance sheet flexibility

“Veth Propulsion has extensive experience in engineering and product development that will enhance our current product portfolio,” said Batten. “Innovations like Veth Propulsion’s industryrecognized Hybrid Drive and Integrated L-Drive will open new markets and opportunities for growth for Twin Disc.”

“The market for azimuth thruster systems is well established,” said Erik Veth, General Manager. “This partnership provides Veth Propulsion with the opportunity for increased growth with world-class service and support in a truly global market. The Veth Propulsion management team views Twin Disc as the perfect acquirer of Veth Propulsion, and we believe that Veth Propulsion’s growth and success will be enhanced under Twin Disc’s ownership.”

For calendar 2018, Veth Propulsion is expected to achieve sales of $60 million. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Twin Disc’s U.S. GAAP earnings by the second year of ownership, in fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.

As part of the acquisition, Twin Disc expects to close a new $50 million asset-based line of credit and $35 million term note.

Twin Disc
www.twindisc.com