Supplier News

Eriez appoints new senior sales director

Eriez, Erie, Pennsylvania, has announced that Dave Heubel was promoted to the newly created position of senior sales director of Eriez-USA, effective Jan. 3.

“In his new role, Dave will oversee sales in the United States, Canada, Central and South America and select Middle Eastern countries. He will provide leadership to the sales team in developing and implementing strategies to achieve the Eriez-USA sales and profitability growth objectives,” says Tim Gland, the vice president and general manager of Eriez-USA, in a press release. “His enthusiasm, business acumen, management skills and extraordinary expertise will be critical to maintaining and growing our Eriez-USA business.”

Heubel joined Eriez in 1990 as a technical sales representative and has served in various roles in his nearly three decades with the company. His past titles include separation product manager, national sales manager and, most recently, director of North American sales.

Heubel earned a bachelor’s degree in management, a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

Wastequip to purchase Amrep

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Wastequip has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Amrep, a leading refuse body and hoist manufacturer. Amrep is a family-owned business based in Ontario, California, with additional facilities in Salisbury, North Carolina; Phoenix; Pacific, Washington; and Sacramento, California. The company was founded in 1976 and has become a well-recognized brand in the West Coast market, Wastequip says in a news release.

Under the deal’s terms, Amrep will continue to operate as its own entity with the existing leadership team reporting directly to Wastequip CEO Marty Bryant. The deal is not expected to result in a force reduction for either company.

Amrep’s heavy-duty refuse trucks feature 100 percent Hardox steel in the hopper, packer, body and tailgate, along with a patented zero-radius arm to use side load trucks in tight areas.

The acquisition also provides Amrep the capital to complete its technology offerings in line with its refuse trucks, including onboard diagnostics and routing.

Wastequip says existing parts customers will benefit from an expanded line card and will now have the ability to order Amrep cylinders through Wastequip’s Go To Parts brand.

With this acquisition, Wastequip says it can offer customers complete nationwide product coverage for cable hoists, pairing Amrep with Galbreath, an established market leader in the eastern U.S.

“Adding garbage trucks to our product mix is a key step in the evolution of Wastequip as a true partner for haulers and municipalities by [making us] a one-stop-shop for all waste industry equipment needs,” Bryant says in the news release. “After an exhaustive evaluation of many of the available refuse body offerings, we chose Amrep based on its sterling industry relationships, as well as the key design and performance advantages of its refuse bodies and hoists. We believe that Amrep’s expertise and technology paired with Wastequip’s national reach, strong financial position and sales strength will allow us to invest in and grow Amrep nationally as a premier refuse body brand and the industry’s largest and most well-respected hoist manufacturer—a true force to be reckoned with in the industry.”

“We are excited for this next phase in Amrep’s development and proud to become affiliated with an industry-leading organization like Wastequip,” says Alex Ghibaudo, chief executive officer of Amrep. “We believe the combined power of our two companies will extend our ability to grow our refuse truck market share significantly and develop an even more robust product suite.”

Bobcat North America to operate under new name

Bobcat North America, Sarasota, Florida, has announced it will now operate under the new name Orion Waste Solutions. In addition to Bobcat, portfolio companies Inland Waste Solutions and Russo & Sons are transitioning to the new Orion Waste Solutions brand.

“Today we become one company with one name and one vision,” says Orion CEO Dean Katter. “I share this excitement with more than 300 colleagues who work tirelessly every day to provide our customers with world-class service that supports our future growth plans across the markets we serve.”

Orion Waste Solutions is a fully integrated regional solid waste and recycling company that services more than 165,000 commercial, industrial and residential customers across seven states, primarily in the southeast U.S. Orion operates as a local company that works with its customers to develop customized solutions with a goal to benefit them, the community and the planet.

Hino Trucks appoints new president and CEO

Hino Trucks, Novi, Michigan, has announced Shigehiro Matsuoka was appointed president and CEO of Hino North America, effective Feb. 1. Matsuoka succeeds Yoshinori Noguchi, who will step down after his tenure as president and CEO, Hino says in a press release. Noguchi will remain engaged as an executive adviser through March to ensure a smooth transition.

Under Noguchi’s leadership for the past six years, Hino says it has had six consecutive record years of truck and parts sales, grown its dealer base by nearly 20 percent, launched its Connected Vehicle Strategy and Certified Ultimate dealer program, built a state-of-the-art corporate office in Novi and purchased a new manufacturing facility in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. “On behalf of the entire dealer network, we would like to thank Mr. Noguchi for his leadership and action over the past six years,” says Tim Matheny, the president of Matheny Motors, Parkersburg, West Virginia, and chairman of Hino Trucks’ National Dealer Advisory Council. “Through his efforts, Hino has grown to become the most valued franchise in the industry and is now poised for even greater growth with its expanded product offering and dealer base,” adds Matheny.

Matsuoka joined Hino in 1981 and has held various overseas assignments in his 38 years. Most recently he was responsible for total support strategy and technical solutions, after-sales service and various other tasks for Hino Motors Limited.

“This is an important time of transformation for Hino as we expand into the Class 8 market, advance our connected vehicle strategy, elevate customer ownership experience and build on Hino’s presence in the U.S. market,” Matsuoka says. “I am honored to have this opportunity to lead the Hino Trucks team and further strengthen our commitment to continuous improvement and widen our range of product offerings.”

An initial focus for Matsuoka is the launch execution of the new Class 7 and 8 A09 powered Hino XL7 and XL8 series trucks, which introduced in spring 2018 and are nearly ready to enter mass production at the Mineral Wells facility.