Eileen Mozinski Schmidt Saluting Women in Material Handling: Champions of Industry Innovation and Excellence
As the material handling industry evolves and grows, so do the ranks of professionals within the business.
This month, Material Handling Wholesaler spotlights some women’s work in the material handling industry. Those who participated in the article talked about their history in the business, shared thoughts on where the industry is today, and discussed changes they envision in the near future.
Jeannette Walker
Walker, currently the CEO of MHEDA got her start in material handling in 2001 thanks to a conveniently located business.
Intrupa manufactured parts for forklifts and was just a mile from her home in suburban Chicago.
After passing the operation on a longer commute, Walker decided to apply. When she was offered a job as an assistant to the CEO, Walker decided to go for it.
“I took it and worked my way up,” she said.
TVH acquired the business in 2006, and Walker stepped in to implement marketing during the acquisition and grew into other roles from there.
Following her experience in leadership at TVH, Walker took on the role with MHEDA. She worked with former CEO Liz Richards for six months before taking the reins in July. “She did anything and everything she could,” said Walker of Richards’ help with the leadership transition.
According to its website, MHEDA is the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association, a non-profit trade association dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community.
As to the current economy, Walker said the feeling for 2025 is “cautiously optimistic.”
At a recent meeting of MHEDA’s board of directors, Walker identified several impactful trends. “The economy is number one,” she said, adding that the market is normalizing, although situations vary by region. “We talked a lot about consolidation in the market and what that means,” said Walker of the leadership discussion.
Automation and AI continue to be among top-of-mind for MHEDA members, particularly with a universal talent gap in the industry, according to Walker, who said technology is helping fill the need in some spaces.
She reflected that career paths for women in material handling vary. Still, the industry seems to be filled with professionals who are open to sharing information and through that, helping others succeed.
According to Walker, there continues to be a growing number of women taking up leadership roles in the material handling industry. “I think it’s evolving very rapidly,” she said.
MHEDA will also host a “Women in Industry” conference this fall. The event will be held November 6 and 7 in Rosemont, Ill., and registration is still open, according to Walker. Walker says the session will include topics important to women in the business.
“There is also a leadership focus,” she said. Registration information can be found online at www.mheda.org.
Candi N. Powers
As a teenager, Candi Powers aspired to become a doctor. In pursuit of that dream, she traveled to Nashville, TN, enrolled in medical courses, and became an intern. In the meantime, her father, Henry M. Powers, and wife, Darlene Powers, were busy building a business. That business, focusing on developing and manufacturing new products for the materials handling industry, led him to develop a vertical lift that would propel his company’s success in the industry.
To grow his new business into the innovative powerhouse now known as Custom Industrial Products (CIP), Henry Powers surrounded himself with the people he trusted most…his family. Candi Powers began her career with CIP advancing the materials handling cart division where she managed clients in hospitality, a critical industry that was the first to apply vertical lifts for improving operational efficiency and safety. She worked long and hard, eventually earning the crucial position of Material Control Manager.
As Ms. Power’s responsibilities grew, so did her passion for solving unmet needs in materials handling. Besides the hospitality industry, CIP vertical lift systems began to make a difference in warehousing and distribution, government, automotive, retail, education, aerospace, and more. There were so many applications that CIP’s line of vertical lifts expanded to accommodate and adapt to a variety of space requirements, load and weight needs, height restrictions, safety concerns, workflow integrations, and environmental considerations.
“I am one of the lucky ones who found a place where I could thrive and help others,” states Ms. Powers. “So instead of helping patients with their health, I’m helping people with the health of their business and with their workers’ safety.”
Candi Powers became President of CIP in 2021 after helping the company weather the pandemic. In 2023, Henry Powers passed away, leaving a legacy of innovation and excellence in industrial duty manufacturing as well as a corporate headquarters in Melbourne, FL, with 50 employees and 126,000 square feet of space for fabrication, welding, powder coating, engineering, administrative, and storage. Candi Powers took the reins as CEO to continue and expand her father’s legacy.
Henry Powers was a masterful mentor. In addition to the deep work values and ethics he instilled in Candi Powers as a child, he worked side by side with her at CIP, teaching Ms. Powers manufacturing insights, design and engineering, sales and marketing, and managing people. As Ms. Powers sees it, people are the most important part.
“Dad really cared for all those around him,” recalls Candi Powers. “He was accessible and everyone’s go-to person for help. His example inspired me to listen and lead.”
Today, Candi Powers works side-by-side with CIP President (and brother) Chris Powers to usher in the next generation of CIP products and solutions. In 2024, they launched CIP Lifts as Custom Industrial Products’ flagship product line with new vertical lifts that are expanding the envelope and applications of what a VRC or materials handling lift can do.
“We are continuously improving every aspect of our operation from customer service and design to production turnaround and quality superiority,” states Ms. Powers. “The minute a call comes in, our multi-interdisciplinary team is assessing and addressing customer needs before customizing a solution that only CIP can provide…faster…smarter…better.”
Megan Brune
Brune got her start in material handling early via a high school mentorship.
“My mentor offered the opportunity to do an extended internship,” said Brune, who, as a student, worked at TVH Parts Co. for several hours a day assisting the marketing team. “It was my kickstart to my time in material handling,” she said.
Brune completed multiple internships at TVH in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
“It helped me land my first full-time job,” she said, adding that she continued her education and worked in different roles in the business. Today, she is the regional marketing lead for the United States at TVH.
Brune said she has witnessed considerable change and evolution in the industry during her time in the business. “I think technology is going to continue bringing more changes to the industry,” she said, noting that data-driven decisions will likely continue to be prominent and that protecting data will also be key. “Labor shortages are something to watch,” Brune added.
Brune attributed her business success in part to the work of those who came before her and to the women she works with today. “I feel extremely blessed to have had some amazing women pave the way before me in the material handling industry,” she said.
Brune advised those starting in the business to ask questions openly and not shy away from challenges. “Be open and honest, excited to learn, and engage in questions with peers and mentors. Never back down from a challenge,” she said. “When you walk into a room, use your voice.”
Stephanie Garrett
Garrett began her career in industrial manufacturing as a field rep specializing in diesel engines. An opportunity with Toyota allowed Garrett to move into strategic planning work.
Today, Garrett is the parts, sales, pricing, and systems manager at Toyota Material Handling.
Her role requires a focus on details—she works with 15 different suppliers—as well as awareness of trends and marketing objectives.
Garrett observed that following record industry aftermarket years in 2021 and 2022, there was a downturn last year. “I am expecting 2024 to be down. We do think in 2025 we’re going to return to those 2023 levels,” Garrett said.
She said the coming year will also continue a shift toward electric units. According to Garrett, there is a move toward automation at Toyota and in the industry at large. “The exciting thing happening in my building and I think in the industry as a whole is the move towards automation,” she said, noting that Toyota is implementing an auto store that will stock 83 percent of the company’s automation-related parts. “It’s a big opportunity for us,” Garrett said.
To those women getting started in the business today, Garrett advised working to create and build relationships within a team and with indirect contacts. “Keep a positive attitude when people come to you with requests,” she said. “Be responsive and helpful.”
About the Author:
Eileen Mozinski Schmidt is a writer and journalist based in the Greater Milwaukee area. If your company would like to be featured, email [email protected]
