Manufacturers – July 2024

Travis Witulski
Kurtis Schwaiger

Besser Co. has named Travis Witulski as Midwest sales representative. The appointment follows a six-year engineering and sales application engineering tour affording in-depth understanding of Besser production systems, parts, molds, and service that will seamlessly translate into exceptional customer support. Management credits his intimate knowledge of new and legacy equipment; knack for troubleshooting; commitment to providing solutions and service to customers; and, experience working hand-in-hand with the field sales team on all capital equipment requests, from proposal creation through installation and start-up.

Also at Besser, Kurtis Schwaiger has transitioned from his role as Northwest United States sales representative to a new position within the engineering team at Alpena, Mich. headquarters. A degreed and seasoned mechanical engineer, he will lead all Splitting and Cubing projects, leveraging field experience to drive innovative equipment solutions and provide leadership to the company’s growing engineering team. Following Schwaiger’s move, producers across the Northwest can reach out to Director of North American Sales Rick Dolly or Sales Representative Brian Motley for all sales and service support.

Zachary Lovett

BCMI, Redmond, Wash. developer of cloud-based, mobile software for the construction industry, has named Zachary Lovett as vice president of Sales. He brings more than a decade of experience in cement, aggregate and concrete sales for producers including Holcim US and its legacy businesses. Based in Baltimore, Lovett most recently managed data center projects for Holcim, coordinating with owners like Amazon, Meta and Google. A National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Sustainability Committee member and past Maryland American Concrete Institute director, he holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Iowa.

“Zach brings a combination of deep industry expertise and technology insights to our sales team,” says BCMI Vice President of Business Development and Outreach Shelby Mitchell. “Our network of materials producers and technology partners will benefit from his perspective.”

Ron Carlson

Command Alkon has appointed Ron Carlson as senior vice president, Industry Liaison. He will play a lead role in enhancing customer engagement, providing strategic industry insights, and fostering long-term relationships with key accounts. Carlson previously served as executive vice president of Operations at Superior Materials, a VCNA company based in Detroit, and Wingra Ready-Mix and Stone Co. based in Madison, Wis. During his tenure with both producers, he played a pivotal role in building strong operational foundations company-wide and supporting the professional growth of his teams through action-first leadership and daily mentorship. Carlson’s expertise also includes the successful implementation of numerous technological advances and initiatives, including the installation of Command Alkon solutions, COMMANDqc and TrackIt.

Before his senior operational roles, Carlson spent a decade with Illinois-based Ozinga Ready-Mix Concrete, where he gained valuable experience and technical skills in various positions. He is a member of the NRMCA Safety, Environmental and Operations Committee and past Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association director.

“Ron Carlson’s appointment underscores our commitment to being a customer-driven organization and our dedication to the Heavy Building Materials industry,” says Command Alkon CEO Martin Willoughby. “His deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, combined with his strategic vision, will help us refine our approach and better serve our customers.”

Separately, Command Alkon continues to improve its Customer Operations organization, integrating post-sale service functions from around the world into one unified Global Customer Operations team. The integration will establish global standards for delivery practices, ensuring “a consistent and exceptional customer experience across all regions.” By adopting these standards and tailoring them to meet the unique needs of customers in each country, the company aims to enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen its global presence.

“The Global Customer Operations team will be divided into two operating theatres,” says Chief Customer Officer Brett Bertz. “The Americas theatre will include North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, while the EMEA/APAC theatre will encompass Europe, the Middle East, India, and Asia Pacific.”

Reyco Granning 102AR

Hendrickson International has acquired the heavy- and medium-duty vehicle suspension business of Mt. Vernon, Mo.-based Reyco Granning LLC through a transaction with MAT Capital LLC. “This provides a platform to expand our reach and manufacturing footprint,” says Hendrickson CEO Matt Joy. “Reyco Granning will enhance our overall product portfolio and ultimately better serve customers in the commercial vehicle industry; we look forward to promoting Reyco Granning as part of our ride solutions portfolio.” The brand will continue to operate independently under its existing name for the foreseeable future, he adds, maintaining market identity and ensuring operations and customer service continuity.

Outpave, a pioneering spend management startup, has closed a $1.2 million seed funding round led by Fritz-Pak Corp., Texas-based concrete admixture supplier. Offering a blend of advanced technology and user-friendly design, Outpave’s platform streamlines bank connections, expense tracking, and invoice management, driving better financial decisions and growth. The investment underpins Outpave’s mission to modernize financial operations for small to mid-sized trade and construction businesses; it positions the firm to boost go-to-market strategies, fortify sales channels, and enhance product features to meet the dynamic demands of the trade sector.

“In the construction industry, evolution is often met with resistance,” says Fritz-Pak President David Ojeda. “Outpave breaks through these barriers with its tailor-made financial tools that cater specifically to the nuanced needs of these companies.”

“Our roadmap is set to not only simplify but also innovate financial management. With Fritz-Pak’s support, our horizon broadens, bringing our cutting-edge platform to more businesses, enabling them to thrive in competitive markets,” adds Outpave CEO Zach Ahlstedt.

Tony Tomljanovic

Charah Solutions Inc., Kentucky-based fly ash processor and distributor, has appointed Tony Tomljanovic as chief financial officer and treasurer. He arrives with 30-plus years of financial experience in engineering and construction fields. At Charah, he will oversee financial operations including planning and analysis, reporting, tax, treasury, risk management and information technology.

“His extensive C-level financial leadership experience will play a crucial role in shaping our financial strategies, optimizing operational efficiency, and driving sustainable growth. His insights and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of our business,” says Charah CEO Matthew Sutton.

CHASM Advanced Materials Inc., Canton, Ohio developer and manufacturer of cement or concrete-grade carbon nanotube materials, has appointed Dr. Douglas Barr as vice president of Materials Innovation & Applications Development. His appointment aligns with the expansion of the CHASM Performance Additives division, which concentrates on advancing cement decarbonization. Dr. Barr brings a 25-year track record of leading high-performance teams that develop a broad range of customer solutions.

Toronto-based Brickeye has marked 10 years in developing Internet of Things and data analytics technology serving concrete and construction interests. Previously operating as AOMS Technologies, it has focused on accelerating digital transformation in construction by a) harnessing the power of IoT devices to enable job site monitoring and risk mitigation, and b) protecting projects by providing unprecedented visibility and actionable insights to improve how the industry builds and adds value.

With strong investor backing and an extensive network of partners and customers, Brickeye’s global presence is showcased in over 1,000 projects across several continents. “From the very beginning, Brickeye’s diverse team of industry experts has been driven by a genuine passion for construction and technology, fostering a strong collaborative culture and commitment to operational excellence,” affirms CEO Tim Angus.