PEOPLE WATCH
Engelberger award winners in the spotlight
In April 2024 , the Association for Advancing Automation ( A3 ) announced that past IFR President , Joe Gemma , is the winner for leadership of the 2024 Joseph F . Engelberger Robotics Awards , a prestigious robotics honour .
Joe Gemma , Chief Revenue Officer ( CRO ), Wauseon Machine , was selected as the winner for leadership , recognizing more than 35 years in the automation industry . This includes past stints on the Robotics Industries Association ( RIA ), now A3 , Board of Directors and the President and Board Member of the International Federation of Robotics ( IFR ). Wauseon Machine & Manufacturing provides automation solutions , precision machining , fabrication and tube forming technologies to manufacturing organisations throughout North America . Joe Gemma joined Wauseon in 2022 with more than 35 years of experience in the automation industry .
Early in his career , Gemma spent 12 years working for a system integrator and then over 20 years working for robotics OEMs . Gemma has strongly supported the industry by participating in the RIA Board of Directors ,
Hallmark to join Aston Martin
The Board of Aston Martin has confirmed the appointment of “ ultra-luxury automotive leader ” Adrian Hallmark , who will join Aston Martin as an Executive Director of the company and its Chief Executive Officer no later than 1 October 2024 .
Hallmark , aged 61 , will join Aston Martin from his recent position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors , a role he has fulfilled since 2018 . He brings more than 25 years of senior automotive experience from the U . S ., Europe and Asia with companies such as Bentley , Porsche and Volkswagen .
Ensuring a smooth transition in leadership , Amedeo Felisa will remain as Chief Executive Officer until Hallmark takes up post . Felisa will continue to oversee the introduction of Aston Martin ’ s new products , including the launch of its third next-generation sports car later this year , completing its new front-engine portfolio following the launches of DB12 and Vantage .
“ Like many working in the ultra-luxury segment , I have admired the continued transformation of Aston Martin ’ s brand and products from afar and feel honoured to have the opportunity to work with Lawrence Stroll [ Executive Chairman ], the Board and the company ’ s employees to lead its next chapter ,” commented Adrian Hallmark . n as well as past Chair , and sitting on several committees . He currently serves on A3 ’ s Robotics Technology Strategy Board . Previously , he spent more than five years as the CEO / CRO for KUKA Robotics Division - Americas . Prior to KUKA , he spent 18 years as CEO of Stäubli Group North America .
The Joseph F . Engelberger Robotics Awards are named after the late Joseph F . Engelberger , known as
Joe Gemma . a founding force behind industrial robotics . Since 1977 , these awards have been given to 139 robotics leaders from around the world for excellence in technology development , application , education and leadership . Winners are recommended by a panel of industry leaders and voted upon by the past Chairs of the RIA . A3 administers the award , and each winner receives a US $ 5,000 honorarium and a commemorative medallion and plaque . “ The honourees of this year ’ s Joseph F .
Wilson Tool International , the largest independent manufacturer of tooling systems for punch presses , press brakes and punch and die components for the stamping industry , has announced the appointment of Jason Semerad as its Chief Commercial Officer ( CCO ).
“ As CCO , Jason will be ensuring enterprise-wide alignment of the Wilson Tool business model , sales , marketing and customer engagement strategies , identifying [ important ]
Jason Semerad . new product development opportunities and serving as a critical leader on the M & A team ,” it told ISMR .
“ With a career spanning over 25 years in prominent global corporations , Jason brings a wealth of expertise in marketing , strategy , commercialisation , product lifecycle management and business development . Known for his keen focus on customer needs and market dynamics , Jason is poised to lead Wilson Tool into its next phase of growth ,” it added .
“ Starting this new chapter as Chief Commercial Officer at Wilson Tool
Engelberger Robotics Awards have all played critical roles in the development and growth of our industry ,” said Jeff Burnstein , President of A3 . “ Joe ’ s valuable leadership and contributions to our industry over the last 35 + years , including his roles with both IFR and A3 , have been instrumental as we bring greater innovations to users worldwide . And Reymond and Marc-Olivier brought delta robots to life , offering robots much higher productivity rates than ever before due to their increased speed and throughput .”
Dr . Reymond Clavel , Professor Emeritus at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne ( EPFL ), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology , was selected as a technology winner for his pioneering role in the invention of the Delta robot concept . Marc-Olivier Demaurex , was selected as a technology winner for his role in pioneering the Delta robot and bringing it to market . n
New CCO for Wilson Tool
International is truly an honour . With a foundation built on decades of customerfocused innovation , quality and forwardthinking vision , my dedication is unwavering : to nurture strategic partnerships , drive accelerated growth and deliver unmatched value to our stakeholders . With this exceptional team , we will continue to deliver market-leading tooling solutions and service to help our customers solve their most challenging fabrication challenges ,” commented Jason Semerad .
Jason Semerad graduated from the Indiana University , Kelley School of Business with a ‘ Master of Business Administration ’ in Marketing and New Venture / Business Development , as well as a ‘ Bachelor of Science ’ in Marketing , Management and International Business .
Wilson Tool products are manufactured at the company ’ s world headquarters at White Bear Lake , Minn ., USA , as well as at manufacturing facilities in England ; Canada ; Brazil and Italy . n
www . wilsontool . com
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