Link-Belt’s Porter named VP of SHI

Melvin Porter, president and CEO of Link-Belt Cranes, has been named vice president of Link-Belt’s parent company, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) of Tokyo, Japan.

Melvin Porter, President and CEO of Link-Belt Cranes, and VP of Sumitomo Heavy Industries.

Porter is currently the only officer from a United States subsidiary of SHI to carry this distinction.

Founded in 1888, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. has a long history as a heavy industries company. In 1989, SHI took sole proprietorship of Lexington, Kentucky-based Link-Belt Cranes and to date, has five main subsidiaries in the United States that represent plastics, construction equipment, cryogenics and power transmission components.

“Being named to the executive team at SHI says more about our company and our product then it does about me,” Porter said. “I’m extremely honored to hold this position and look forward to the continued development of not just our mobile crane strategy, but the complete umbrella of offerings provided by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.”

Porter is a 23-year Link-Belt Cranes veteran, joining the company in 1999 as manager, financial planning and taxes. He served as CFO and vice president of finance from 2004 to 2017, before being promoted to president and CEO in May 2017.