EHC founder Ron Ball announces retirement

Jun. 1, 2016 – EHC Global (EHC), a manufacturer of escalator and elevator components, announced today the retirement of Ron Ball, the company’s founder, chairman and managing director of EHC’s Eastern Region operations. Ted Hornbein, general manager of Asia Pacific, will assume the role of managing director, Eastern Region, and will report directly to Jeno Eppel, EHC president and CEO.

The company says Ball will continue to be involved in EHC as a strategic advisor.

In 1977, Ball established Escalator Handrail Company in Ajax, Ont., with “only one employee, a long-term vision and an international growth strategy.” By the early 1980s, the company had successfully expanded into the United States and had established a presence in several international markets. Soon after, Ball expanded the company’s reach to Europe by integrating EHC into the supply chains of larger firms and OEMs, and eventually establishing EHC’s first overseas manufacturing company in Germany in 1992. In the mid-1990s, anticipating China’s increasing importance in international business and rapidly expanding domestic market, Ball relocated to Shanghai and established EHC China, the company’s largest operation to date. Over the past decade, EHC has continued to grow its global footprint with the establishment of sales and distribution centres in Brazil, Barbados, France, the United Kingdom and Spain. In 2005, Eppel was appointed president and CEO.
 
“With EHC celebrating its 40th anniversary in the coming months, I felt that this was the opportune time to officially retire from the business and enjoy more time with family and friends,” said Ball. “I am proud of the many accomplishments we have achieved since our humble beginnings and have complete trust and confidence in the leadership and commitment of Jeno Eppel and the entire EHC team.”
 
“On behalf of the EHC family, I would like to thank Ron for his vision, leadership and the many contributions he has made to the company, the local communities we support and the global lift industry over the past 40 years,” added Eppel. “We remain committed to growth, innovation and continuing Ron’s legacy for decades to come.”