AK Material Handling Systems (AKMHS) officially is under the direction of new ownership. President Joshua E. Smith has taken over as sole owner of AK Material Handling Systems and its subsidiaries, purchasing the company from long-time owner and founder Al Boston. The sale was made official on  December 31, 2019.

Smith was promoted to President of AKMHS in 2019, after serving as Director of Sales and Operations for 13 years. Smith started in a sales role and has been an employee of AKMHS for 20 of its 31 years in existence, spearheading rapid growth by tripling sales and staff since his start with the company.

Smith is excited about the next chapter for AK.

“I’m excited for the future,” said Smith. “For those who know me best, I’m always looking for new ways that our business will grow and evolve with the times. We’ve worked hard to build our amazing team and they have worked very hard to get the company to where it is today. I believe you can’t take without giving back, get involved, invest in your peers, and listen.  We have some amazing talent and things will continue to run as they have, but there will be a new breath of excitement, passion, and growth.”

Boston co-founded AK Material Handling Systems (formerly A & K Equipment) in 1988 and took sole ownership of the company in 2001. Over that time, the company has seen continuous growth.

“This is something that has been in the works for years, and it was always my intention to retire, and leave the company in a strong position,” said Boston. “I’m very proud of what we built at AK, not only from a sales standpoint but also in what we give back to our communities.”

Boston, who is now officially retired, leaves AK after 44 years in the material handling industry.

“I’d like to thank everybody in the industry that I’ve worked with and gotten to know over all these years,” said Boston. “I’m looking forward to retirement and watching the company continue to grow and prosper.”