MEMBER MINUTES

From Tradition to Transformation: Evolving the Morse Brand

About This Episode

Katie Stephens, Marketing Manager at Morse Manufacturing, shares how a century-old company embraced change through a bold rebrand. From uncovering a hidden “M” in the company’s iconic drum design to launching a new website and visual identity, Katie discusses the creative process, collaboration across teams, and why integrity remains at the heart of Morse’s brand. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at modernizing tradition while staying true to core values.

Listen to the Audio Podcast

Evolving with Integrity

In this episode, Katie Richards chats with Katie Stephens, Marketing Manager at Morse Manufacturing, about leading a rebrand for a company with over 100 years of history in the material handling industry. With a background in construction equipment and dealership marketing, Stephens shares how she brought fresh perspective and strategy to Morse’s recent transformation—including the development of a new logo, revamped website, and modernized brand identity.

Katie discusses the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, the role of user experience in design, and how a simple realization—spotting an “M” hidden in the company’s iconic drum shape—sparked a bold new direction. She emphasizes the value of openness, feedback, and integrity throughout the rebranding process and offers advice for marketers navigating similar projects.

Key Topics Discussed
  • Katie Stephens’ marketing background and transition to material handling
  • The rebrand journey at Morse: inspiration, execution, and impact
  • Balancing tradition with innovation in a 100-year-old company
  • Collaboration across departments and external stakeholders
  • Why “integrity” is at the heart of Morse’s new visual identity
  • Advice for professionals managing a rebrand in industrial sectors
About Katie Stephens

Katie Stephens is the Marketing Manager at Morse Manufacturing, where she leads strategic brand development and marketing initiatives. With over a decade of experience in the industrial and heavy equipment sectors, Katie brings a creative yet practical approach to marketing. Her leadership in Morse’s recent rebrand reflects her commitment to aligning visual identity with company values and customer expectations.

About the Member Minutes Podcast

Katie Richards is MHEDA’s Membership and Advocacy Manager, dedicated to fostering strong connections within the material handling industry. With a background in member engagement and industry advocacy, Katie brings insightful conversations to Member Minutes, where she highlights the journeys, expertise, and contributions of members. Through engaging interviews, she provides valuable perspectives on leadership, business growth, and industry trends. Member Minutes offers a platform for members to share their stories, connect with peers, and stay informed on key topics shaping the material handling industry.

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Gene Marks

CPA, National Business Columnist, Author & Speaker

Gene Marks is a past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post. Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management. Gene appears on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today. Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and provides actionable insights.

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