This month, the AME Champions Club spent an incredible week sharing, learning, and growing with The Raymond Corporation/ Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA), in Syracuse, New York. It was an unforgettable experience that reminded us why experiential learning is at the heart of AME.
We owe our deepest gratitude to Justin Sturek, Meagan Cavanaugh, and Viraj Desai for opening their doors and authentically sharing their journey and best practices with our Champions. Their transparency, humility, and willingness to teach exemplify what makes the AME community so special.
There were also so many others who invested their time and talents to make the week exceptional. A heartfelt thank you to Joe Fiori, James Gardner, Terry Kiff, Daniel Garza, Linda Andrus, Carol DeJager, Nick Specht, Chad Gillette, Dale Fenescey, Joannie Cinnamon, and Ryan DeLaney. There were so many more throughout the plant and offices who connected with us. Each presenter openly shared both successes and opportunities for improvement, creating an environment where real learning could take place.
One of the things that stood out to me most was the humble nature of the organization and its unwavering commitment to people-centered leadership. We didn't just hear about it - we saw it, and we felt it in every interaction.
Throughout the week, a common theme emerged: develop people, stay humble, and never stop learning. Those principles were evident in every presentation and every conversation.
Several best practices particularly resonated with me:
- Leaders develop leaders. Leadership development is owned by leaders throughout the organization- not simply delegated to Human Resources.
- Respect for people's minds. There is a deliberate focus on understanding each individual's strengths and placing people in roles where they can thrive and contribute their best.
- Structured problem solving. Everywhere we went, we heard teams using the 5 Whys as a natural part of identifying root causes and continuously improving processes.
- Continuous improvement through engagement. We learned about Raymond's Kaizen Process Improvement Suggestion Program and how every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas for making the organization better.
Our Champions Club members had the unique opportunity to observe the daily Asaichi meeting, visit the impressive training and assembly Dojo, learn about Raymond's rich history, tour the manufacturing facility, including the remarkable digital print center, and gain valuable insights into the company's Hoshin Planning process. Every experience reinforced that operational excellence is built by investing in people and creating systems that allow them to succeed.
One comment shared during the week by a participant has stayed with me. As we discussed benchmarking and learning from other organizations, someone remarked: "Benchmarking is honoring the good work of others- not copying."
What a powerful perspective. Too often organizations hesitate to look outside their own walls, believing that learning from others somehow diminishes their own innovation. In reality, the opposite is true. The best organizations are lifelong learners. They respectfully study great ideas, adapt them to fit their own culture, and continue improving. That mindset is exactly what AME has championed for more than 40 years.
Experiences like this are what make the AME Champions Club so valuable. They are far more than plant tours. They are opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, challenge our thinking, and return home inspired to make our own organizations even better.
Thank you again to everyone at The Raymond Corporation/ Toyota Material Handling North America for your generosity, hospitality, and commitment to advancing enterprise excellence. Your willingness to share your journey embodies AME's mission to inspire a commitment to enterprise excellence by bringing people together to share, learn, and grow.
Thanks also to volunteer Champions Club Director Marc Kuzic, and AME Home team Director of Events and Corporate Engagement Sara O'Hara. This incredible week would not be possible without their leadership. Thank you also to the AME champions club attendees and guests who participated. The connecting and interactions between everyone are what truly make these events memorable.
If you have not yet experienced the Champions Club, I encourage you to join us. The friendships, insights, and learning opportunities are truly unmatched.
I hope to see you at a future AME Champions Club event!
Also, please join us at the AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference | October 26–29 where we will connect with our amazing membership. Remember we have some last change pricing occurring right now including a $250 discount when you register by July 31st. Use code AME250 when registering to receive the discounted rate.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
