Kaman Corporation announced November 5 that its subsidiary, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation, has appointed Steven J. Smidler to the newly created position of senior vice president and chief operating officer, reporting to T. Jack Cahill, president, effective December 1.
Smidler, 50, will oversee the company's sales, marketing, customer service and operational functions. Smidler joins Kaman from Lenze Americas Corporation where he served as executive vice president, with responsibility for marketing, sales, finance, business systems and product technology for the Americas. Smidler was also a member of the management committee of the Lenze Group, Germany, and held the position of president and treasurer for Lenze Americas and served as a board member for the Lenze ACTech production company.
"Steve is an excellent fit for Kaman Industrial Technologies. He brings 28 years of experience in high technology products, sales management, marketing and general management," Cahill stated. "Steve's many years of customer interaction in the same industries that Kaman serves, and his knowledge of electrical, mechanical and fluid power products, position him to engage immediately with Kaman's sales and operating organizations. This experience and his thorough knowledge of international markets and global customers will be extremely valuable as Kaman Industrial Technologies implements its long-term growth strategy."
Smidler is a 1981 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology. He received an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in 2007. Prior to joining Lenze, Smidler held executive positions at Eaton Corporation's Powerware Division and Rockwell Automation's Global Manufacturing Solutions Group. Smidler has had assignments throughout the Americas and Europe.
Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation, a leading distributor of industrial parts, operates nearly 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than 2 million items including bearings, power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power and MRO supplies to customers in a variety of industries. Additionally, Kaman provides value-added services such as engineering and design support for electrical, linear, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as belt and rubber fabrication, reducer build, hose assemblies, custom modifications, repair services, fluid analysis and motor management.
