Introducing Gauthier Pierozak, Autoquip’s New General Manager: Building on Our Legacy, Shaping Our Future
GUTHRIE, Okla. — July 6, 2026 — Autoquip Corporation, a leading manufacturer of engineered lifting, material handling, and automation solutions, today announced the appointment of Gauthier Pierozak as General Manager. Pierozak succeeds Chris Kuehni, who recently retired after a distinguished career leading the company.
Pierozak brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in industrial manufacturing, engineering, operations, and commercial management. Throughout his career, he has built high-performing teams, strengthened customer relationships, and led organizations through strategic growth and operational excellence.
Most recently, Pierozak served as Vice President of Commercial at Cimarron Energy, where he was responsible for sales, business development, and key account management. A mechanical engineer fluent in English and French, he has held leadership roles supporting customers across global industrial markets.
“Autoquip has earned an outstanding reputation for engineering excellence, quality, and customer commitment,” said Pierozak. “What attracted me most was the company’s strong technical expertise, talented employees, and dedication to solving complex customer challenges. I look forward to working with the team to build on that legacy while continuing to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
As General Manager, Pierozak will oversee Autoquip and its family of brands, including Autoquip, OSCO Controls, J.A. Becker, and Vasari Car Lifts. He will lead the company’s continued focus on engineering innovative lifting, material handling, and automation solutions while supporting strategic growth and operational excellence.
“Autoquip is well positioned for the future,” Pierozak added. “With a talented team, strong manufacturing capabilities, and an expanding portfolio of engineered solutions, we have an exciting opportunity to continue serving our customers with the innovation, quality, and responsiveness they expect.”
About Autoquip
Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Autoquip Corporation designs and manufactures engineered lifting, material handling, and automation solutions for customers across a wide range of industries. The Autoquip family of brands includes Autoquip, OSCO Controls, J.A. Becker, and Vasari Car Lifts, offering a comprehensive portfolio of standard and custom-engineered solutions backed by decades of engineering and manufacturing expertise. For more information, visit www.autoquip.com.
A Conversation with Gauthier Pierozak, Autoquip’s New General Manager
What attracted you to Autoquip and this leadership opportunity?
I was drawn to Autoquip because of its long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality, custom-engineered lifting solutions and its unwavering commitment to customers. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping organizations grow by building strong teams and creating value for customers, and Autoquip’s culture aligns perfectly with those principles.
After more than 30 years in industrial manufacturing and the energy sector, the opportunity to lead a company with such a strong engineering foundation, talented workforce, and customer-focused mindset felt like the ideal next chapter. The addition of J.A. Becker Germany and the expanded global capabilities it brings make this an especially exciting time for the organization. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by those before me while helping guide Autoquip into its next phase of growth.
Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
I am a bilingual (English/French) mechanical engineer with more than 30 years of experience in industrial manufacturing and leadership. Most recently, I served as Vice President Commercial at Cimarron Energy, where I led sales, business development, and key account management initiatives. Prior to that, I held a variety of leadership positions across the oil and gas industry.
Those experiences provided valuable lessons in operational excellence, strategic growth, and customer engagement. Just as importantly, they reinforced the importance of supporting employees, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a relentless focus on customer success.
What experiences have best prepared you for this role?
The experiences that have prepared me most are those that taught me the value of listening—both to customers and to employees. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the best solutions often come from understanding challenges before they are fully defined and bringing together talented people to solve them.
Manufacturing environments thrive when teams work collaboratively, communicate openly, and remain focused on delivering value. Building strong organizations, developing people, and creating long-term customer partnerships have been recurring themes throughout my career and are priorities I bring to Autoquip.
What drew you to the material handling and industrial equipment industry?
I’ve always been fascinated by industries where engineering expertise and skilled craftsmanship come together to solve real-world challenges. Early in my career, I was involved in designing and building lifting devices, which gave me a firsthand appreciation for the innovation and precision required to create safe, reliable equipment.
Today, the evolution of automation, controls, and smart technologies is transforming how material handling solutions operate. The opportunity to be part of that innovation while helping customers improve safety, productivity, and efficiency is incredibly rewarding.
What excites you most about Autoquip's future?
What excites me most is the tremendous opportunity ahead. Autoquip has an exceptional team, a strong engineering heritage, and a reputation for solving complex customer challenges through custom solutions.
With the addition of JAB Germany, we have expanded capabilities and a broader global reach that position us to serve customers in new and exciting ways. Together, we have the opportunity to deepen customer relationships, enter new markets, and continue delivering the innovative solutions our customers depend on. The foundation is already in place, and I’m excited to work alongside our talented team as we continue building on that success.
What opportunities do you see for growth and innovation at Autoquip?
Autoquip has long been known for its custom-engineered lifting solutions, and I see significant opportunities to build on that strength. One area of particular interest is the continued expansion of automation and controls through our OSCO division.
The integration of intelligent controls and real-time monitoring capabilities is creating new ways to enhance equipment performance, improve reliability, and support customers throughout the lifecycle of their equipment. These advancements also create opportunities for proactive service and preventative maintenance programs that help customers maximize uptime and productivity.
Combined with the expertise and capabilities of JAB Germany, we are well positioned to deliver even greater value to customers who demand safety, precision, and operational efficiency.
What message would you like to share directly with our customers?
First and foremost, thank you for the trust you place in Autoquip. Our customers have been the foundation of this company’s success for generations, and I am committed to ensuring we continue earning that trust every day.
You can expect the same dedication to quality, innovation, responsiveness, and partnership that has defined Autoquip for decades. Our team is passionate about understanding your challenges and developing solutions that help your operations become safer, more efficient, and more productive.
As we continue to grow and evolve, our focus remains unchanged: delivering reliable, custom-engineered solutions backed by exceptional customer support. I look forward to meeting many of you in the months ahead and building on the strong relationships that have made Autoquip an industry leader.
A Personal Note of Thanks
As I step into this role, I would like to personally thank Chris Kuehni for his leadership and dedication to Autoquip throughout his tenure with the company. His commitment to our employees, customers, and company has helped build the strong foundation we stand on today.
Retirement is a well-earned milestone, and on behalf of the entire Autoquip team, I wish Chris all the best in this next chapter. I am honored to continue the legacy he leaves behind and look forward to building on the relationships and successes he has helped create.
