Auston

Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ranger Lifting has named industry veteran Oliver Auston as technical consultant. He will continue to serve as a Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) board representative. Auston was co-founder of the UK brand Checkmate, a height safety pioneer, and brings a wealth of experience to the company. Over the past 20 years, he has developed products from industrial soft goods through to complex engineered products, such as a full range of self-retracting lifelines, as well as bespoke machinery to enhance and automate manufacturing processes in both height safety and heavy lifting slings. Auston has over 70 patents credited to his name and has won numerous accolades, including two Queen's Awards for International Trade and Innovation, plus countless industry product and business honours, including LEEA Manager of the Year.

Harting

Espelkamp, Germany Dietmar Harting, partner and board member of the Harting Technology Group, has been awarded the special Lifetime Achievement prize by the Markt&Technik trade publication. The prize was awarded in connection with this year's "Manager of the Year" election. Harting, in addition to his great contributions to his group, was recognised for shaping the course of the electronics industry over many years through his personal commitment. Harting joined his parents' company in 1967, became managing partner in 1973 and turned the small medium-sized company into a successful global player in his era. In 1998, he became the first head of an SME to take the helm of the influential Central Association of the Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry (ZVEI) and steered the association back into safe waters following the turbulence caused by the foundation of Bitkom. Harting became a member of the committee of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and from 2003 to 2009 headed up the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), which thanked him for his work by presenting him with the DIN Ring of Honour. In 2008, he was bestowed with the Trade Fair Honorary Gold Medal for his many years of service at Deutsche Messe AG, which included 12 years as deputy chairman of the supervisory board. In 2009, the city of Espelkamp, headquarters of the technology group, bestowed the honourary citizenship on Dietmar and Margrit Harting. In 2009, the couple was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st class.

Leskinen

Helsinki, Finland Timo Leskinen, SVP for human resources and a member of the Konecranes leadership team, has decided to leave the company and will take a position at another company. He will leave Konecranes on 30 September 2021. "Timo has been a highly valued member of our Konecranes leadership team during the past eight years. I want to thank Timo for all his contributions at Konecranes and wish him the best of luck in his future career", says Rob Smith, president and CEO of Konecranes. Konecranes will appoint a successor in due course.

Dobbins

Albion, Michigan, United States Caster Concepts has named Andrew R. Dobbins vice president of manufacturing for the company and its six associated businesses. Dobbins has been involved with Caster Concepts since its inception more than 30 years ago when he was taught how to sweep the factory floor by Richard Dobbins, his grandfather and founder of the company. Dobbins, 43, has spent the past five years as general manager of Caster Concepts, providing the energy and leadership for many operational initiatives. Caster Concepts President William H. Dobbins says the appointment comes at an exciting time for the company and the industry. "There are many challenges and opportunities in manufacturing, and I am sure that Andrew will provide the leadership needed to keep Caster Concepts in a continuous improvement-and-growth mindset," he says.