Amsted Industries is a diversified global manufacturer of industrial components serving primarily the railroad, vehicular and construction and building markets. Combining leading-edge manufacturing processes with a history of continuous innovation, we’re proud to be leaders in each of the market segments we serve.
Operating under the Amsted Industries umbrella since 1962, today we’re meeting the growing needs of a global market with 53 facilities in 11 countries across 6 continents. Amsted is employee owned, which allows our employees to share in the success in the company and provides employees with significant retirement savings.
“Amsted has been named by Forbes magazine as one of the best large employers in the US in 2016. This recognition is based on the attitude of employees towards their own company and public perception of a company by industry employees.”
Leadership Team
Focused on Growth
Stephen R. Smith
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Wayne A. Luce
Vice President, People
Christopher G. Athas
Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary
Chris P. Meyers
Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Steve E. Obendorf
Vice President – Audit
Marilyn D. Franson
Vice President and Senior Tax Counsel
Jack A. Cumming
Treasurer
Annette M. O’Connor
Controller
Annette M. O’Connor
Controller
Annette O’Connor is Corporate Controller. Ms. O’Connor joined AMSTED in 2018. Ms. O’Connor comes to Amsted from RR Donnelley & Sons Company in Chicago, where she was Vice President Finance, Head of Internal Audit. During her tenure at RR Donnelley, she progressed through various financial roles including Investor Relations, Financial Planning & Analysis and Operations Finance. Annette began her accounting career with Ernst & Young LLP then went to McDonald’s and Follett Corporation before a successful career with RR Donnelley.
Ms. O’Connor earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
Jack A. Cumming
Treasurer
Jack Cumming is Treasurer. Mr. Cumming joined AMSTED in January 2015 as Manager, Accounting & Accounting Systems and was appointed Director, Accounting & Financial Reporting in October 2016. Prior to joining Amsted, Mr. Cumming was M&A Finance Integration Lead and Senior Internal Audit with W.W. Grainger, Inc. Mr. Cumming began his career as a Senior Auditor for KPMG LLP in Toronto, Canada.
Mr. Cumming received his Bachelor of Commerce, Honours, degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and his Masters of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Cumming is also a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant.
Chris P. Meyers
Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Chris Meyers is Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of AMSTED Industries. Mr. Meyers joined AMSTED in 2017. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Spartan Nash Company and was Chief Financial and Development officer for KeHE Distributors. Chris also served as Director, Vice President and Senior Associate at Navigant Capital Advisors.
Mr. Meyers earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from Western Michigan University and his Masters of Business Administration from J. L. Kellogg School of Management and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Christopher G. Athas
Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary
Christopher G. Athas is Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary of AMSTED Industries. Mr. Athas joined AMSTED in 2014. He previously was a corporate partner with the international law firm Jones Day.
Mr. Athas earned his B.A. degree from Rice University and his law degree from The University of Chicago Law School.
Steve E. Obendorf
Vice President – Audit
Steven Obendorf is Vice President – Audit for AMSTED Industries. Mr. Obendorf joined AMSTED in 1999 as assistant treasurer and became assistant controller in 2002, Controller in 2008, Vice President – Audit in 2012, Vice President – Controller and Audit in 2016 and his current position in 2018. Prior to joining AMSTED, Mr. Obendorf was corporate controller of Varlen Corporation from 1991 to 1999 and also served in a number of finance positions. Mr. Obendorf began his career as an auditor with KPMG LLP from 1982 to 1985.
Mr. Obendorf earned a B. S. in accounting from University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Obendorf is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Marilyn D. Franson
Vice President and Senior Tax Counsel
Marilyn Franson is Vice President & Senior Tax Counsel at AMSTED Industries. Ms. Franson joined AMSTED in 1999 as Assistant Controller-Tax. Prior to joining AMSTED, Ms. Franson was a partner at the law firm of Hopkins & Sutter (now Foley & Lardner) in Chicago, where she practiced tax law from 1986-1999. Previously, Ms. Franson was a tax consultant for Ernst & Young, and controller for an offshore oil supply company. Ms. Franson earned a B.S. in accounting and finance, summa cum laude from Loyola University, and a J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. She is also a certified public accountant.
Wayne A. Luce
Vice President, People
Wayne Luce is the Vice President – People at AMSTED Industries. Mr. Luce has held numerous positions at AMSTED throughout his career. He served as an HR manager at Griffin Wheel and Griffin Pipe before being named as the VP of Human Resources of Griffin Wheel in 2006. Since being a member of the Amsted Industries team, Wayne helped lead the human resources functions of three merged Amsted businesses: Griffin Wheel, American Steel Foundries and Brenco Bearings. Mr. Luce was named the Vice President – People of Amsted Industries in August 2018. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Athabasca and is a certified human resource professional.
Stephen R. Smith
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Smith is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at AMSTED Industries. Mr. Smith joined AMSTED in 2005 as president of Amsted Rail, became general counsel in 2007 and was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in 2017. Prior to joining AMSTED, from 1999 to 2005 Mr. Smith was general counsel and president of the shared services operations in North America of GKN plc, a FTSE-traded UK diversified engineering company; and from 1991 to 1999 was vice president, secretary and general counsel of The Interlake Corporation, an NYSE-traded diversified manufacturing company. Mr. Smith began his legal career in 1982 at the Chicago law firm of Hopkins & Sutter (since merged into Foley & Lardner), where he was a corporate partner and chairman of the corporate transactions group. Mr. Smith earned an A.B. degree in political science from Wheaton College (Illinois) and his J.D. degree from The University of Chicago Law School.
Heritage
Experience across manufacturing disciplines
From our earliest days, Amsted Industries has strived to manufacture the most powerful and highest quality products for the vehicular, railroad, construction and building markets. With origins in operating companies, Amsted has grown through both acquisition and product innovation to become the leader in the industries we serve. Our goal has always been to ensure the best possible products be provided to global markets. We assumed the name Amsted Industries in 1962 and continued to show persistent growth in both strength and scope. In 1986, Amsted Industries established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and by 1998 we were 100% ESOP owned. At Amsted, we relish the responsibility bestowed upon us to provide reliable, well-made products for markets around the world, and are constantly striving to exceed even higher standards of success to make that happen.
Culture
Dedicated to excellence
At Amsted Industries, we know our customers count on us to power through the world’s toughest environments. For this reason, our first-class employees are dedicated to excellence and a commitment to make top-quality products that matter. We keep a strict focus on continually improving the reliability of our products to ensure that we stay the leader in our industries. Although many of the markets we serve are already mature, we’re constantly seeking growth opportunities for acquiring and developing new products. Here at Amsted Industries we don’t just meet the industry standards, we set the standards.
Global Presence
No boundaries to success
Quality products, innovation, stability and reliability are universally necessary. Amsted Industries recognizes that global boundaries are disappearing, and we are committed to bringing our highly engineered, top quality products to help our customers succeed wherever in the world they are operating.
With 53 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries, Amsted serves the vehicular, railroad, construction and building markets by employing 16,000 people throughout the world. With our global capability, we have the manufacturing capacity and flexibility to meet the industry’s needs today and the needs that emerge in the decades ahead.
Sustainability
Our mission: environmental sustainability
As a global leader, Amsted Industries is committed to conducting operations in a manner that is environmentally responsible and consistent with that of a good corporate neighbor and citizen. Experience has taught us that it’s essential to all our stakeholders to be good stewards of the environment.
Conserving natural resources
We’re dedicated to conserving natural resources and recycling whenever possible across our factories and offices worldwide. Every gallon of fuel consumption we can eliminate due to our lightweight truck component system; every kilowatt hour we save by better managing our power needs; and every ounce of scrap metal we recycle contributes to the success of our sustainability strategy.
More efficient technologies
At Amsted, we’re passionate about leveraging technology to preserve the environment. Our railroad, vehicular and construction/industrial divisions utilize the latest manufacturing processes and engineering innovations to drive energy efficiencies. Through improvements in environmental performance, we not only help future generations but help our bottom line performance, as well.
Join the Amsted team. And help us find new ways to go green.
Code Of Conduct
Integrity guides all business operations
Amsted believes that ethical and lawful behavior is the foundation for our success. Every Amsted employee is expected to respect and comply with the laws and regulations of the countries and the communities in which we conduct business.
Beyond legal compliance, Amsted is committed to act with honesty and integrity in all of our business dealings. We believe that integrity is the foundation for our relationships with customers, suppliers, other companies in our industries, and the communities in which we work.
The Code of Conduct establishes guidelines to be followed regarding business conduct and ethical practices.
From working at local food banks to painting community centers to helping out at Boys & Girls clubs, Amsted Industries employees make it their mission to serve their local communities. Because nurturing dreams is what we’re all about.
Community Beautification Day
Means recently participated in a Riverfront Beautification Day along the Saginaw River close to the Corporate Headquarters. Employees were assigned to Ojibway Island and helped with painting, weeding, spreading mulch, picking litter and clearing the beach area of debris. An afternoon of hard work and collaboration made it a rewarding event for all who participated.
Toys for Tots
The Means family generously opened their hearts and wallets to support this year’s Toys for Tots campaign with new toy donations collected at various facilities. A group of Means employees also donated their time and efforts at the Saginaw Township warehouse to assist with sorting toys and preparing gift bags for families in need. The overwhelming generosity of the community will help over 2,400 children of Saginaw County have a Holiday Season to remember.
Morton Arboretum
Amsted’s corporate employees recently participated in a service day at The Morton Arboretum, honoring our former CEO – Bob Reum - who passed away in February. The Amsted team named a tree in Bob’s honor, dedicated a bench in his name to the garden, and participated in a service project de-seeding native Indian grass to be re-used by the Arboretum.
World Environment Day
For the past two years, employees at Baltimore Aircoil Company Australia participated in a bushland regeneration activity as part of World Environment Day. The objective of the Bushcare program is to clear bushland of non-native plants that are considered undesirable for the local environment and wildlife. We aim to clear the local land and water ways of weeds and rubbish so that the native flora and fauna can thrive in its place. We focus our efforts on a site in the Somersby area which is in close proximity to the BAC Australia facility.
Delaware Food Bank
BAC employees in Delaware give back to their community by volunteering at their local food bank.
Camp Lenape
Baltimore Aircoil has partnered with the United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware to help support Camp Lenape's Christmas party this year. Camp Lenape is a summer camp operated by United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware and serves both children and young adults with all types of disabilities (ages 3-21) and those without disabilities (ages 6-13). Each year Baltimore Aircoil partners with the organization to help support families in need during this time of the year.
American Heart Association
Employees at Baltimore Aircoil corporate offices paid $5.00 to wear jeans and red clothing with all donations going to the American Heart Association
Kids Carnival
Amsted Corporate office employees helped out at Back-To-School Carnival in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood by providing school supplies, backpacks, pencils, paper and lots of smiles!
Adopt a Family
Jessup held an Adopt a Family event for Thanksgiving! Through our employee donations, we were able to give 2 boxes of food, in addition to a turkey to 8 families in the area.
Boys & Girls Club
Office employees at Amsted Corporate (Chicago) spent their work day painting the exterior of a local chapter of Boys & Girls Club
Clark County Food Bank
Employees from Consolidated Metco corporate offices volunteered to pack groceries at their local food bank
Habitat for Humanity - Chicago
Members of our Amsted Industries and Amsted Rail team recently left our desks for a day and donning hard hats headed to Chicago’s south side work with Habitat for Humanity. Doing a small part in making a home a reality for four deserving families was a very rewarding experience for all.
Just a Drop
BAC’s corporate office in Jessup celebrated World Water Day on March 22, 2019! Employees held a bake sale to raise funds for Just A Drop! These year’s initiative is to help support Zzinga Medical Center, Uganda.
Team Building
Working together
Both in the office and out in the community, Amsted Industries employees work as a team. Whether it’s getting out into nature, cooking up a storm, or expressing our inner artist, we’re always up for trying something new!
Burgess Norton’s 2nd annual Innovation Fair occurred in May, wherein employees spent two weeks focusing on company innovation and growth. Focus topics included: Adjacent Products, Powder Metal Growth, Sales Cycle, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Data Analytics, Acquiring Talent, Optimizing the Organization, and Innovation Culture.
BAC interns started their Summer Internship on May 21, 2018. Interns will be working in various departments from Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance and Engineering.
The BAC team in Jessup, Maryland celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by decorating their office in green – complete with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Members of the Baltimore Aircoil team in Jessup, MD enjoy the annual holiday party.
This year we combined and celebrated Women's and Spring Day collectively. The awesome Johannesburg girls opted to spend a relaxing afternoon at Parea Greek Taverna in Illovo. Our Cape Town ladies dressed up and an award was given to the Best Dressed and Most Creative Hat. The morning included a lovely breakfast and mini pamper of having our hands massaged. Ayeesha Thompson won the Best Dressed and Lorraine West Most Creative. Ayeesha enjoyed a free master class session at Lindt Studio and Lorraine a lovely gift voucher.
Ladies from the Baltimore Aircoil Kunshan, China branch celebrate “Women’s Day” in China.
Employees from Amsted Industries, Amsted Rail and Burgess-Norton challenge themselves by participating in the annual JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge.
