24 Years and Going Strong
Material Handling Specialist, Scott Hovis, shares lessons learned from decades of experience.
Secrets to a Happy Career
Scott Hovis is the epitome of loyalty combined with an amazing work ethic. Starting out with AEC in 1994 as part of the inside sales team, he was promoted in 2001 to the role of Material Handling Specialist, where he was responsible for sales and integration of Material Handling and Automation Systems.
So what kept him around for so long? We got Scott on the line to talk about his career, his process, and some of his favorite clients
You’ve been with AEC since 1994. Is it normal for people to be with the company for that long?
At Advanced Equipment Company we don’t really have a lot of turnover; usually the only reason people leave is retirement.
In the material handling world that’s usually not the norm, but at AEC we usually work there for the rest of our lives.
What is it about the company that you think keeps people around so long?
The owner of our company takes care of us very well. The setting that he puts us in gives us a chance to succeed, and that’s really what makes people enjoy working for him; he’ll let you go out on your own and he’s behind you one hundred percent.
When you started, you were doing inside sales, and then in 2001 you moved to being on the road. Was it a big change from going from inside to outside?
Being an inside sales guy for several years really helped train me for what I do now. Learning the different products we have, as well as being able to apply those, really gave me a head start.
With many years of experience on the road, what do you find is the most important thing to know about a client and their operations?
We look at our company as more of a problem solver, so when we go to talk to a customer, I don’t force any certain product on them.
My goal is to identify and fully understand what the problem is. I ask open questions so that we can figure out which piece of equipment or pieces of equipment would best solve their problem.
After 17+ years working for AEC, what keeps you motivated?
Probably the number one thing is I don’t do the same thing every day. Every project requires a custom solution, so I actually do something different every day with every new challenge.
But what it all comes down to is the relationships with the people. I’ve helped a lot of people and made some good friends.
Scott specializes in packaging line integration, distribution center conveyor systems, mobile aisle and pallet rack systems, automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), ergonomic lift and positioning equipment, heavy material lifts for floor-to-floor applications and mezzanine work platforms, modular offices and in-plant modular buildings and custom and standard safety guarding.
To talk to Scott about finding a solution that fits your application, you can email him at scotthovis@aec-carolina.com or call AEC at 704-527-3141.
