Key Technology, a member of the Duravant Food Sorting and Handling group, has appointed Robert van Dorst as Managing Director for its operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia.
The appointment reflects the company’s strategic focus on expanding its global footprint and reinforcing leadership in regions experiencing rapid economic growth and increasing demand for advanced food processing solutions.
Van Dorst, who will be based in the Netherlands, assumes responsibility for spearheading regional strategies and leading operations that encompass Key’s portfolio of optical sorting, conveying, and automation systems. His role also includes overseeing the delivery of customer service solutions designed to meet the specific needs of food processors and packers across diverse markets.
“The EMEA and Asia regions contain some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, making strong regional leadership essential to serving our customers here effectively,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President – Food Sorting and Handling. “Robert has a track record for managing exceptional global teams, with proven success driving growth. His focused approach and strategic mindset will help build on our legacy of innovation while expanding our capabilities in target markets.”
Van Dorst brings more than 20 years of executive experience in high-tech manufacturing to his new position. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Canline Holding and as President of its U.S. division. His prior leadership roles include Managing Director positions at Cremer Special Machines and at a company within Stork SPG. His academic background spans business administration degrees earned in Toulouse, France, technical studies at MIT in Boston, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the University of Amsterdam.
“I’m excited to join Key Technology with its rich 75-year history of engineering excellence,” said van Dorst. “By combining our skilled talent and superior technology with a deep commitment to customer value, we deliver solutions that truly set Key apart in the marketplace. Our vision includes increasing our local presence in high-growth markets worldwide to offer more regional language support, same time zone availability and responsive in-person service. I look forward to working with our committed teams to expand upon their success and deliver even more value to our customers across EMEA and Asia.”
The appointment underscores Key Technology’s commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing service delivery through localized leadership, as the company looks to scale its operations and strengthen partnerships in key international markets.
Find out more: https://www.key.net