American Event Services Names Manufacturing Veteran Foreman Chief Operating Officer
American Event Services announced that Lawrence Foreman has been named chief operating officer for the manufacturer of HVAC, fluid handling, power distribution and other products dedicated exclusively to the equipment rental industry. Foreman brings to the company more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing operations and leadership, with a particular expertise in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.
“Larry is a proven leader who knows how to manage, communicate and motivate across all levels of an organization to deliver exceptional results,” said Tony Tauer, president of American Event Services. “His engineering background, strong problem-solving skills and proficiency in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma will help drive operational efficiencies and ensure timely delivery of quality products to our growing customer base.”
Since 2020, Foreman has served as vice president of operations of The Shyft Group, an “upfitter” of last-mile delivery vehicles with $1 billion in sales, 20 facilities and 4,200 employees. There, he implemented lean manufacturing and sound operating practices resulting in improved operating performance, on-time and on-budget product launches, and an increase in productivity and profitability of acquired companies, while promoting best practices company-wide.
Prior to Shyft, Foreman spent nearly 20 years in the foundry industry, most recently as vice president of operations with American Axle & Manufacturing, where he was responsible for operational excellence, safety and profitability at 11 manufacturing locations. His experience also includes several years as an electrical engineer, plant manager and general manager for multi-facility manufacturing companies.
“I am excited for this new opportunity,” Foreman said. “My experience has prepared me well to make a meaningful contribution to American Event Services and help the company achieve its growth objectives and serve customers well. I cannot wait to get started.”
Foreman has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and has experience with value stream mapping, visual controls, 5s, kaizen and total productive maintenance.
American Event Services is based in Danville, Ill. For more information, visit www.americaneventservices.com.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.
