Athena Automation Ltd., the machinery company started by Robert Schad, announced Aug. 18 that Harold Luttmann is the new acting CEO, as well as handling his current role of chief operations officer. Schad has shifted to chief commercial officer, on a temporary basis.
Athena said the CCO position will be responsible for sales, marketing, finance and human resources, plus the company's sales and service network.
The company has a service representative, a full-time Athena employee, in the Pennsylvania/Ohio area. It plans to add service reps in Atlanta, Chicago, and Frankfurt.
Athena, based in Vaughan, Ontario, makes injection presses for preforms and packaging. In May, Plastics News reported that Schad was looking to pass the top spot to a new executive, by promoting from within or hiring some from the outside.
Spokesman Aron Szaz Gabor said there is no timetable for Schad's retirement.
Athena is owned by the Schad family and “select Athena employees,” he said.