Welcome to the “Material Handling Helpful Tools Series”. This article series spotlights a wide range of material handling professionals and provides helpful information for those in the material handling industry. Our goal is to introduce you to individuals and websites that can improve your access to relevant material handling information. Today, we will meet Maureen Lehman from Wildeck.
1. Tell us a little about yourself: Interests outside of work, family, pets, hobbies, entertainment, special talents, etc.
I live in Milwaukee with my husband Bill, and when we’re not working we’re usually spending time with friends and family, finding new things to do and places to go in the city.
We also love traveling, and craft beer, and the best is when we can combine them into a “beercation.” We’re on the lookout for something local wherever we end up, and we’ve hit breweries in Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, and even on our Hawaiian honeymoon.
2. What is your role in the organization?
My title at Wildeck is Inside Regional Sales Manager. I work with our dealers to quote and sell mezzanines/work platforms, vertical reciprocating conveyors, and safety guarding products. I also help with project management after the sale, and help facilitate any necessary discussion between customers and our engineers.
3. How did your career path land you in this role?
My education was in Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing. I started in Wildeck’s marketing department in 2008, and I learned a lot about our products, and the material handling industry in general. In 2013, I got the opportunity to move over to sales, and the marketing experience went a long way in making that transition very smooth. I never would have imagined myself working in sales, but it’s been a great experience so far!
4. What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
It sounds cliché, but I truly learn something new every day. It’s really interesting to see all the applications our dealers come up with, and the diversity of the industries we sell into. Whether I’m looking up a company I never knew existed or learning about different aspects of our engineering and manufacturing processes, the variety is great. I also like getting to know some of our repeat customers, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I become someone’s “go-to” person.
5. What makes you (or your business) unique and sets you apart from the rest of the industry?
Wildeck really values our distributor partners and believes that the relationships we’ve established with them are instrumental to our success. We try our best to maintain those relationships by providing excellent service and quality products. In addition, Wildeck is part of an ESOP company; we’re 100% employee owned. Everyone involved with our products from marketing to design to shipping and accounting has a vested interest in keeping our customers happy.
6. What is one tip or bit of advice that you can leave with our readers?
One thing that’s helped me is realizing that I don’t need to know absolutely every detail about our products and procedures, I just need to know who to ask for help. So, I would say to build your network, and don’t be afraid to rely on the expertise of those around you. Of course, pay attention to the answers they provide and someday you could be the expert!
7. What are the biggest changes you see in the industry in the future?
No matter what the economy does, we’ll always be trying to do more with less, and that can only be a good thing for material handling and storage systems. As companies try to maximize productivity of their employees as well, I think that turnkey solutions will continue to be popular. Wildeck will continue to do our best to educate and help our dealers be able to do that.
Phoenix, AZ 85009