Caldwell Adds Sales Leadership Ahead of Growth Phase

The Caldwell Group Inc. has announced two strategic hires as the company prepares for its next phase of growth. Brian Porter (pictured left) has joined the outside sales group as regional sales manager, while Kent Henry (pictured right) has joined the sales team as a sales engineer.

Porter will focus on Caldwell’s full product portfolio, including below-the-hook lifters, construction lifters, mill duty lifters, Renfroe clamps and RUD lifting points. Caldwell partners with the RUD Group to coordinate sales and marketing efforts in North America for RUD material handling and lifting devices, which include slings and lifting points designed for complex applications across a range of industries.

Henry, a design engineer, will concentrate on Caldwell’s custom lifting products. His role includes working with distributors and end users on applications that range from minor modifications to standard products to more complex custom solutions. Henry will also support internal technical sales teams and develop concept drawings to help customers evaluate engineered solutions for specific projects.

Jeff Ferchen, director of business development, said: “Both Brian and Kent bring a great deal of industry experience to our organization. Brian has deep knowledge and understanding of our product offering and has been instrumental in the distribution side of rigging and lifting his entire career. Historically working for some major distributors, he has always partnered with manufacturers to develop rigging solutions for cranes and BTH [below-the-hook] lifting equipment for major industrial, construction and OEM [original equipment manufacturer] end users.

“Kent also comes to Caldwell with a long history and knowledge of BTH lifting equipment. He spent the majority of his career with a major distributor partner of Caldwell’s in the Midwest, focused on engineering support for their sales team regarding any and all custom lifting solutions.

“We are excited to have both of these individuals join our growing team as we expand our solutions offering to better support our distributors and end customers.”

Porter said: “I have known Caldwell for all of my nearly 30 years in the industry. I have always admired the company as a leader and have enjoyed working with team members across its brands — people are the treasure of any company.

“It is all about relationships; we need to instill in our customers the attitude of ‘it is easy to do business with Caldwell’. We need to be superior communicators with our customers. The more we interact with them, the more we strengthen our bond with them. We have so many methods to communicate — and just need to utilize them.”

He added: “One particular end user I have already been working with is a leading manufacturer of aluminum sheet, plate, extrusions and architectural products and systems.”

Henry said: “I have been familiar with the Caldwell business, having previously worked for a major lifting and rigging equipment supplier with coast-to-coast coverage. I have a proven skillset in the delivery of quotes on custom projects; I’m also looking forward to assisting the inside sales department with concept drawings and structural calculations.”