Swisslog Logistics, Newport News, Va., acquired FORTE Industries, a warehouse automation system integrator located in Mason, Ohio. This acquisition will support Swisslog’s strategy in the North American market with a complementary product and service portfolio.

FORTE Industrial Equipment Systems, Inc. (doing business as FORTE Industries) focuses on optimizing distribution centers, and plans, designs and implements material handling automation systems with its warehouse execution software (WES). FORTE’s expertise in conveyor systems, case and piece picking and sortation solutions will strengthen Swisslog’s North American offerings.

FORTE employees will continue to serve customers as part of Swisslog. FORTE will continue to operate within its business model as a separate unit of Swisslog Warehouse & Distribution Solutions (WDS) North America from the Mason headquarters.

With the completion of the acquisition, founder and owner Gene Forte transitioned management of the company to AK Schultz, previously vice president customer service of Swisslog North America. Schultz has more than 15 years of experience in engineering and the automated material handling industry, and has held management positions within Swisslog for more than a decade.

“We are convinced that the combination of Swisslog and FORTE will deliver significant benefits to our customers that are far beyond the individual offerings. In addition, the acquisition will support Swisslog’s market strategy and particularly its positioning in the e-commerce and multi-channel segments,” says Markus Schmidt, president of Swisslog Warehouse & Distribution Solutions North America.

“I am enormously proud that a global systems integrator with the stellar reputation of Swisslog sees FORTE as such a valuable addition to their team. The FORTE brand has always stood for excellence and innovation, and I believe the synergies between our respective teams will result in an even more powerful proposition to our rapidly expanding client base,” says Forte.