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Hytrol president cautiously optimistic about
conveyor market
Conveyor executive predicts double-digit sales
growth for industry in 2011 and 2012.
By
David Maloney of DC Velocity
The
president of Hytrol Conveyor Co. said he remains
cautiously optimistic about prospects for his
industry, despite reports of double-digit order and
shipment growth, and a solid recovery from the
depths of the 2008–09 recession.
Gregg Goodner told attendees at Hytrol's executive
summit and sales meeting in Little
Rock, Ark., that the company has experienced "steady
growth" over the past two years despite
still-challenging economic conditions.
"The way we do business now is not the same as it
was in 2008," Goodner said. "We have to turn over
new rocks and do things differently today."
Goodner also cautioned against complacency. "If we
are just sitting back waiting for the economy
to come back, we are in trouble. We have to look for
new opportunities," he said.
Goodner said Hytrol's adoption of lean manufacturing
processes has enhanced efficiencies and helped make
May the most successful month in the company's
history.
Goodner cited industry statistics from the Conveyor
Equipment Manufacturers Association that showed
first-quarter bookings rose 41 percent compared with
the first quarter of 2010.
Shipments were up by 46 percent, the trade group
said.
For the year, Goodner said he expects sales
increases of about 11 percent industry wide, with
similar growth expected in 2012.
"Even though the economy has not come back yet in
all parts of the country, integrators of material
handling [systems] are feeling very good about where
things are," he said.
The three-day Hytrol event was aimed at helping
distributors and systems integrators find new ways
to improve their operations and grow their own
businesses
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