Swisslog creates new regional software and controls hub for the Americas

Michael Howes has been named vice president, software and controls, of Swisslog warehouse and distribution solutions (WDS) Americas and will lead the newly formed software and controls hub from Newport News, Va.

The new hub is intended to strengthen Swisslog offerings by integrating FORTE’s software while also constructing a powerful common platform for its customers.

Howes, who served as vice president, software and controls, for Swisslog business unit FORTE Industries for the last 10 years, will lead a team of software developers and controls engineers in offices in Newport News; Mason, Ohio; Lathrop, Calif.; and Tlalnepantla, Mexico. The Hub will also provide region-specific functionality and market insight to the software team at Swisslog’s world-wide level.

According to Markus Schmidt, senior vice president, Swisslog WDS Americas, “Mike Howes brings nearly 25 years of software development and management experience in the financial services, transportation and logistics industries to his new position. He is widely recognized in our industry as an expert in the emerging category of warehouse execution software (WES) and I welcome him to our senior management team for the Americas.”

Added Howes, “I’m most excited about combining the talent and expertise of the Swisslog, FORTE and PAS software and controls teams into one unified team. We have a unique opportunity to bring to the market and our customers a best-in-class warehouse execution system (WES). While our collective experiences are actually quite diverse, we have a unique opportunity to combine those experiences into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Other key members of the management team for the new Software and Controls Hub include longtime Swisslog employees Steve Thorne, director of software, and Francis Said, director of controls.