Michael Lawson is President of Automation Technology Sales. He has over 30 years of experience working in the field of automation globally. Over his career he has held a variety of sales, technical and leadership positions with major corporations. Let’s learn a little more about him with four quick questions.
Hi Michael. Can you tell us a little about your professional background?
My career has been spent working in the field of industrial automation. I worked for SMC Corporation of America for 10 years and successfully passed the CFPPS Test to become a Certified Fluid Power Pneumatic Specialist. I was promoted to various technical and management positions throughout my career with SMC. After this I worked for ATC Automation, a part of the TASI Group. I started their Life Science Division as well as their Energy Automation Division for battery manufacturing. I moved up in the organization and was the Commercial Director for North America for three companies in the TASI Group, Bonfiglioli Engineering located in Northern Italy, Sepha located in Northern Ireland and ALPS Inspection located in Milwaukee, WI.
My main focus was Bonfiglioli Engineering and I grew the company substantially over a four year period. I was then promoted to General Manager of ALPS inspection where I turned around this company from a stagnant company with no growth. I completely revamped the organization structurally from inside sales, engineering, outside sales and operations. We grew the company over 30% in less than two years and innovated a new line of products that generated over 1 million in new sales. ALPS has continued to grow and has almost doubled in throughput the following year with the team I put in place. In 2020 I started Automation Technology Sales, LLC and have been building my product line and rebuilding relationships with machine builders and key contacts.
What was it that attracted you to a collaboration with Signalysis?
Automation Technology Sales, LLC is focused on providing the building blocks for Automation. We focus on assembly and test applications. Signalysis is a great fit for the test and inspection side of the business. The company offers a unique technology and test solution for vibration and noise and also special application for Labview. I believe it is a nice fit in my offering and a great benefit to machine builders and large manufacturers in my area.
What are some of the more serious or common quality issues that you see with your manufacturing customers?
Injection molding defects, assembly defects such as pressing, improper assembly, torque or pressing. Visual inspection defects such as cosmetic issues. AI for predicting products trending toward failure before a defect occurs.
What’s something about you that not many people know? Any interesting hobbies or brush with greatness?
I am an avid outdoor enthusiast and an accomplished photographer with photos taken of amazing places from around the world. I enjoy hiking, hunting, and love the outdoors. I own a mountain farm in middle Tennessee that overlooks the Cumberland River. I also have a lot of practical skills like welding, and carpentry. In fact, I was the General Contractor for construction of my own house