AMHERST, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCO), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, announced today that, effective January 20, 2014, Jeff Armfield has been named Executive Director, Global Product Strategy and Development. Mr. Armfield will be responsible for developing a cross-functional product development and engineering team with the goal of improving the process of product design and execution plans centered around market needs, while increasing the Company's development cadence. He will be responsible for strategic planning of the Company's primary products and brands across the globe focusing on world class quality, cost, delivery and logistical performance.
Timothy T. Tevens, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Jeff brings the leadership and experience needed to navigate effective new product development from the design phase through execution globally. Product development is a critical function to ensure that we successfully maintain our strong market position in developed markets, and to drive further penetration in emerging markets."
Prior to joining Columbus McKinnon, Mr. Armfield served as the Global Director – Engineering and Product Management for AxleTech International, LLC, where he had leadership responsibility for AxleTech's global product development. Prior to that role, he had global business development responsibilities for the company and led the construction, startup, and operation of AxleTech's North American aftermarket operations facility in Troy, MI. Prior to AxleTech International, Mr. Armfield was an engineering manager at Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems (now part of BAE Systems).
Mr. Armfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan with a Manufacturing Concentration credential from the University's Tauber Institute for Global Operations.
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 and secure materials. Key products include hoists, actuators, cranes and lifting and rigging tools. The Company is focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by its superior design and engineering know-how. Comprehensive information on Columbus McKinnon is available on its web site at http://www.cmworks.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future revenue and earnings, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by the Company and its subsidiaries, conditions affecting the Company's customers and suppliers, competitor responses to the Company's products and services, the overall market acceptance of such products and services, the effect of operating leverage, the pace of bookings relative to shipments, the ability to expand into new markets and geographic regions, the success in acquiring new business, the speed at which shipments improve, and other factors disclosed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.