The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has announced the appointment of Rory Keogh as the incoming president of the UK trade association, which represents construction equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Keogh succeeds outgoing president, Nigel Baseley, former sales director of EAME Industrial Power Systems Division of Perkins Engines, who held the role of president of CEA since 2014.
Keogh was appointed as managing director of Gomaco International in February 2007. His role within Gomaco involves overseeing all operations of the UK office, in Witney, England, including sales, service and distributor development. The area served by Gomaco International includes Europe, Scandinavia, the Russian Federation, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Middle Asia.
Keogh has been involved with the construction industry around the world his entire career, working as a service engineer and service supervisor in Europe, the Middle East, Algeria, Zambia and the UK. He joined Gomaco International in 1984 as a product support engineer. He accepted a sales position in 1987 and managed the Middle East territory. Europe was later added to his portfolio. He was promoted to director of sales and marketing for Gomaco International in 2001.
Rob Oliver, chief executive CEA commented, “Rory gives a great perspective on the international construction business. I know he has visited more than 60 countries in pursuit of sales and has done the ‘hard yards’ on the exporting frontline. At home I know he is very committed to the CEA Skills Initiative, which is an important part of the CEA agenda. It’s great too that he brings his expertise in the concrete sector to the leadership of our association. We are very much looking forward to working with Rory and welcome him aboard as the incoming CEA president.”
Keogh said, “I take up my role at an exciting time with the new ‘2020 vision’ introduced by Nigel Baseley. I will take up the baton and keep the pace by supporting new technologies and meeting client demands in what is a challenging industry. I am also hoping to bring my knowledge and 40 years’ experience of traveling the world and networking to the CEA membership.
“I am also very passionate about bringing skills into our industry and getting young people involved in all aspects of engineering. The skills shortage is a problem facing ‘industrial developed countries’ and we are all suffering from a shortage of skilled engineers I am keen to work on finding solutions to this UK problem with the CEA Skills Council.
He concluded, “I come to the CEA with ‘a different hat’ having been involved with surfacing, transport, road, rail and airports. I am looking forward to working with the manufacturers of earthmoving machines and the construction equipment industry supply chain.”
