Forte Names Consultants Following Swisslog Takeover

Forte, a Swisslog company, has added two new consultants to its expanding team. Kevin Roberts and Patrick Murray both join as senior consultants.

Roberts and Murray are responsible for producing sensible solutions for Forte customers at every stage of material handling operations. Together, they support Forte’s growing client base through engagements that include supply chain strategic master planning and network optimization, distribution center planning and facility automation as well as supply chain execution system software evaluation and implementation.

Roberts brings more than 35 years of supply chain management design experience to his role, having served clients such as General Dynamics Corporation, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Honeywell, HP, United Natural Foods Inc., United Technologies Corporation, Verizon Communications and Williams-Sonoma.

Roberts’ wide-ranging experience and technical knowledge of automation solutions include high-speed sortation and conveyor networks, automated storage/retrieval systems, integrated software and controls requirements, and directed picking. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering at Northeastern University in Boston.

Murray leverages more than 18 years of industry experience. Previously, he directed manufacturing and distribution strategies for clients such as Turtle Wax, GE Energy Rentals, GE Industrial Systems, Life Fitness, Parrot USA, Wellements LLC, Volta River Authority—Africa, Valero Aruba Refinery—Caribbean, and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB)—Europe. Before joining the manufacturing world, Murray served as a U.S. Army officer. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Xavier University, Cincinnati, and continued education at the U.S. Army Finance School and General Electric Croton-on-Hudson.

Swisslog is an expert in automated storage and retrieval systems.

Both new-hire announcements come on the heels of the acquisition of Forte by Swisslog, a global provider of integrated logistics solutions for warehouses, distribution centers and hospitals. Swisslog’s expertise in automated storage and retrieval systems and other goods-to-person technologies combined with Forte’s capability in conveyer and sortation systems and leadership in warehouse execution systems has resulted in a powerful partnership that better serves their combined customer base.