Anke Groth

KION Group - Germany

Anke Groth, member of the executive board of KION Group, is leaving the company. Ahead of the upcoming renewal of her executive board contract, she has opted to pursue new opportunities outside the group.

KION will provide information on a successor in due course. Until then, Rob Smith, chairman of the executive board, will lead the Finance department on an interim basis and take on the role of labour director.

Tom Mathias

Lenze - United States

Lenze has announced the appointment of Tom Mathias as president and CEO.

Mathias’ 25 years of experience in the industrial automation industry include roles of increasing responsibility with GE, FANUC, Parker Hannifin and Omron in Europe, Japan and the Americas. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Omron Robotics & Safety Technologies. Mathias has expertise in global general management, sales leadership, and merger/integration.

He holds a BS in electrical and electronics engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Michael Harper

Lenze - United States

Lenze has also appointed Michael Harper as vice president of sales and marketing.

Harper is an experienced sales professional, with extensive expertise in strategic growth leadership and sales management. His industry background includes many years in sales leadership positions at Festo, Soft Robotics and AutoGuide Mobile Robots.

Harper holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA in finance from East Carolina University.