Seaga logo

Seaga announces Chesney to step down as CEO, Freund accepts the reins

Seaga Manufacturing, Inc. (“Seaga”), a platform for innovative Automatic Retail Dispensing and Modular Intelligent Inventory Control Solutions, serving the Food and Beverage, Industrial, Water Filtration, and Healthcare Markets, announced today that its Founder and CEO, Steve Chesney, will step down as CEO. Chesney will remain Chairman of the Board of Seaga and its respective subsidiaries.

Chesney founded Seaga in 1987 in a one-stall garage in Shannon, Illinois. He successfully produced and marketed an innovative vending machine design named the SuperVend 2000, which soon became an industry standard. After manufacturing thousands of vending machines in Shannon, Chesney moved its Corporate Headquarters and manufacturing facility to Freeport, Illinois, where it remains today. Seaga has grown to become a recognized leading platform for Automatic Retail Dispensing and Modular Intelligent Inventory Control Solutions, satisfying the Food and Beverage, Industrial, Water Filtration, and Healthcare markets.

In 2004, Seaga acquired Karna Industries in New Delhi India, now known as Seaga India Private Ltd., positioning Seaga to supply its products to customers throughout the world. Seaga recently acquired Automated Merchandising Systems (AMS), a leading brand of Automatic Retail Dispensing equipment in North America. With this most recent acquisition, Seaga has four manufacturing facilities, in three countries, allowing it the scale to support the largest multi-national corporations in the world.

“Steve has built an industry-leading company over the past 35 years which is positioned perfectly for innovation and growth, with a dedicated team of industry professionals spanning over two continents,” said Gary Partridge, President of Seaga. “Steve has been a mentor to many, and his influence has made an indelible impact on generations of professionals within Seaga and throughout our industry. I want to thank Steve for his vision to create and build a company with a lasting legacy that will prosper and excel within our marketplace.”

Seaga’s Board of Directors unanimously elected Mike Freund to succeed Chesney as Chief Executive Officer of Seaga/AMS.