Memex names sales management changes

Jun. 27, 2017 – Memex says it has restructured its sales management in an effort to capitalize on the growing number of opportunities precipitating from the rebound in U.S. manufacturing.

The Burlington, Ont.-based company has hired John Artman as its vice-president of sales. In this role, he will leverage his past senior management sales experience to mine Memex’s existing U.S. pipeline and develop new markets and growth opportunities, says the company. Meanwhile, John Rattray has transitioned from vice-president of sales to senior vice-president of business development and marketing.

Artman, who will be based in Sellersburg, Ind., was most recently vice-president of sales, business development and marketing at Simplimatic Automation. Before that, he held senior positions at Bishop-Wisecarver Group, Jacobs Automation, Bodine Assembly & Test Systems and Wright Industries.

“Memex weathered an extended period of business uncertainty stemming from the vague capital cost allowance and NAFTA policies of both U.S. presidential election candidates. Data from the Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT) now indicates that U.S. manufacturers are comfortable with the new political reality and are investing in capital infrastructure again,” said David McPhail, president and CEO. “Given this, we felt it was best to refocus our human capital.”

“With Memex’s growth and the indications of a U.S. manufacturing recovery, it makes sense to expand our sales management into the U.S. Adding John to the team and giving him the responsibility to lead our sales growth allows me to focus more intently on business development, brand development, and marketing,” continued Rattray.

McPhail noted that these management changes will better position the company to meet the growing demand for Data-Driven Manufacturing solutions — a demand he expects to increase as more manufacturers add new technology and equipment to their facilities. To optimize the performance of the additional machines, McPhail says Data-Driven Manufacturing — the process which automates machine monitoring and management — will be required to ensure the equipment is being used in the most efficient manner possible.

AMT-compiled data indicates that manufacturers are again spending on new equipment. Manufacturing technology orders totalled $324.46 million during the month of April 2017, a 12.3 per cent year-over-year increase from April 2016. From January 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017, orders were up 2.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2016. AMT also found business confidence among U.S. manufacturers was at its highest level in 13 years.