Emerging Leaders: Steve Coleman of KION North America
October 9, 2024
Leading Around the World
Whether it’s in the United Kingdom or the United States, Steve Coleman of KION North America is showcasing his leadership Skills.
By Nicole Needles
Steve Coleman, the director of sales for the Southeastern region at KION North America, is a beacon of leadership in the material handling industry. Born in Liverpool, England, Coleman’s journey from high school to his current role is a testament to his strategic vision and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Coleman’s career trajectory began with a pivotal decision to embark on the business route, forsaking the creative path despite a passion for the arts. This choice proved to be the right one as he found himself excelling in various roles within KION Group over the past 12 years, with five years dedicated to KION North America. From sales training to marketing, Coleman’s versatility and dedication have been instrumental in his growth as a leader.
His participation in MHEDA’s Emerging Leaders Conference catalyzed personal and professional growth. Coleman gleaned invaluable insights from the convergence of young professionals, recognizing common challenges and trends transcending geographical and organizational boundaries.
“To see so many young professionals in the same place and discussing how we tackle these issues was inspiring to see and truly, in my humble opinion, the primary goal of the Emerging Leaders Conference,” Coleman said.
Coleman champions the infusion of fresh perspectives from young professionals into the material handling sector.
“What is glaringly obvious to all of us is that the age profile of our industry is coming down, both on our side of the fence and the customer side,” Coleman said. “I feel our industry is certainly one that could use a fresh set of eyes from a generational perspective. The technology that is available to enable businesses to become more streamlined, the culture that exists within both workplaces and social environments and the current trends and direction are all tools of the next generation of young professionals.”
His advocacy for generational diversity underscores a forward-thinking approach essential if the material handling industry wants to move forward.
“I have to give a huge thank you to a friend, mentor and longtime promotor of MHEDA – Mr. Rick Schiel. Rick was the person who helped get me over to the U.S. in 2019 and took me under his wing to help me adapt both professionally and socially. His passion for our brand, the way he cared for colleagues and dealers and the fact that he is the nicest human being one could ever meet made him the perfect mentor.” Coleman said. “Rick recently left KION after almost 40 years representing our brand. While it’s sad to see him go, his decades of service have made a massive impact on the organization. On behalf of all your KION North America friends and family, Rick, thank you.”
When asked about his guiding leadership principle, Coleman espouses a simple yet profound mantra: “Do what you say you’re going to when you say you’re going to do it.” This puts an emphasis on his commitment to integrity, accountability and trust-building — cornerstones of effective leadership in any context.
What distinguishes Coleman’s career is his profound appreciation for people — the heart and soul of the industry.
“I love the people. Our people, the competition and the customers themselves. Every day paints a different picture and numerous problems that must be solved, both intricate and obvious regardless of your position within our industry. The day-to-day of a rental coordinator, a salesperson and the CEO are all different but are all so interconnected,” Coleman said.
Looking ahead, Coleman envisions continued growth and impact within the KION Group. Whether in the United States or his native England, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of executive leadership roles.
“I have full faith in the fantastic career development measures offered by KION North America, and I know if I apply myself as best I can, opportunities will be there to progress,” Coleman said.
