viastore systems Inc. (www.viastore.com), the North American division of the Stuttgart, Germany-based supplier of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), is expanding its sales efforts in the United States.

Jürgen Conrad, the newly appointed president and CEO, will oversee operations from the company's facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"As the economy improves, we think the market for automatic material handling systems will increase," said Conrad, who previously worked for viastore in Germany. "As in Europe, there is a new understanding of the need to lower costs with more economical material handling and flow systems."

Viastore will offer a complete line of manual and PC-based, fully automated AS/RS systems, from traditional tote and mini-load systems to unit-load cranes capable of handling loads of up to 10 tons. In addition, viastore resells conveyor and AGV systems from other manufacturers.

"In Germany, we often operate as a general contractor and integrator to put a complete material handling system together, including the software," says Conrad. "We will do that here as well."

Conrad also expects to work closely with viastore's sister company, Provia Software (www.provia.com), a provider of warehouse management and supply chain execution systems.

"On large projects that need the sophistication of a best-of-breed WMS, we'll provide the software," says Ken Lewis, Provia's president and CEO. "Material flow systems and basic warehousing software will come directly from viastore."