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Rooted in Legacy, Focused on the Future: Adams’ Reed Montgomery Featured in MHEDA Journal

Rooted in Legacy, Focused on the Future: Adams' Reed Montgomery Featured in MHEDA Journal

Adams, Inc. is proud to share that Vice President Reed Montgomery was recently featured in the latest issue of the MHEDA Journal as part of the Emerging Leaders series, which highlights rising professionals shaping the future of the material handling industry.

A Career Built on Opportunity and Growth

Reed’s journey in the material handling industry began with a leap of faith. After graduating from North Dakota State University with a business degree, he joined Adams Inc. with little knowledge of the field but a strong desire to learn.

That willingness to take on new challenges and grow through experience has defined his career. Over the past 12 years, Reed has become a key part of Adams’ leadership team, helping the company grow while continuing to honor its century-long legacy.

“Professionally, I’m proud of my growth here. Starting out not knowing anything at all about the industry and growing into where I am now, and also seeing the company really grow in volume over the past ten-plus years, that’s been a fulfilling accomplishment.”

Lessons in Leadership

Reed’s approach to leadership is rooted in lessons learned early in life. He credits his father, who worked in industrial construction, for showing him how to take care of a job, stay on track, and treat customers right.

“He showed me how to take care of a job, stay on track, and treat customers right. That was instilled in me at a young age.”

He also learned the importance of respect and the value of being comfortable with discomfort.

“Showing respect for all goes a long way,” Reed said. “And embracing discomfort has been one of the most valuable lessons from my early sales days. With time, you realize that being uncomfortable is often where growth happens.”

Problem Solving and Perspective

Among the many insights Reed shared in the article, one line stands out as a reflection of his mindset and leadership style:

“Being a problem solver is key. No matter how well you plan, something will go wrong. The question is: How well can you minimize the impact?”

It’s a simple but powerful perspective that has guided Reed through both challenges and growth at Adams. His focus on staying calm, thoughtful, and adaptable has made a lasting impact on the people and projects around him.

Looking to the Future

As Adams celebrates its 100th anniversary, Reed remains focused on what’s ahead.

“I hope to continue growing the company,” he said. “One day, I’d like to take it over myself. Adams has evolved a lot over the past century, through different divisions and shifting markets, but material handling has been the constant. I want to help set it up for another 100 years of success.”

For Reed, success isn’t only measured by business growth, but by personal and professional development.

“Watching my four kids grow up, seeing them develop into their own individuals, that’s something I’m really proud of. And being part of Adams’ continued success is something I don’t take for granted. It’s been a great ride so far.”

Reed’s story is a reminder that great leadership is built on learning, respect, and a willingness to embrace change. His path reflects the heart of Adams, a company truly rooted in legacy and focused on the future.

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Safety Isn’t Seasonal: 5 Smart Ways to Improve Facility Safety

Safety Isn’t Seasonal: 5 Smart Ways to Improve Facility Safety

At Adams Inc., we’ve spent the last 100 years helping organizations build safer, smarter spaces, because safety isn’t just a one-time checklist. It’s a mindset that should be woven into daily operations, year-round.

Whether you’re expanding, adapting to new workflows, or simply overdue for a safety refresh, now is always the right time to take a closer look at how you protect your people, equipment and facility.

Here are five practical ways to improve and update your safety strategy and how Adams can help make it happen.

1. Walk the Floor with Purpose

A fresh walk-through can reveal safety risks that go unnoticed day to day. Look for:

  • Worn or missing signage
  • Blocked walkways or blind corners
  • Unprotected elevated areas
  • Temporary fixes that have become permanent solutions

Adams offers on-site safety walkthroughs to help you see your space with fresh eyes, and find the opportunities you might be missing.

2. Reassess Guardrails, Gates & Barriers

As facilities evolve, so should safety systems. It’s important to evaluate:

  • Are guardrails placed where vehicles or forklifts move most?
  • Are gates functioning properly and protecting elevated access points?
  • Are stairs, platforms, and mezzanines fully protected?

We supply and install custom guardrails, railing systems, and industrial gates to help prevent accidents before they happen.

3. Improve Visibility & Airflow

Sometimes safety comes down to comfort and clarity. Key areas to assess:

  • Lighting: Are work zones well lit? Are fixtures outdated or poorly placed?
  • Ventilation: Could your space benefit from improved airflow or fan placement?
  • Partitioning: Are there zones that would be safer with clear separation?

Ceiling and roof fans, industrial curtains, and visibility upgrades are simple but effective improvements that support safety and morale.

4. Rethink Storage Safety

A disorganized or outdated storage system creates unnecessary risk. Consider:

  • Are lockers and cabinets secure, clearly labeled, and well-placed?
  • Is high-traffic floor space being used for storage when it could be vertical?
  • Could high-density shelving reduce clutter and create safer movement zones?

From Unistrut framing and mezzanines to custom cabinets and shelving, Adams helps facilities reclaim space and reduce hazards.

5. Prepare for What’s Next

Safety isn’t static. Whether you’re onboarding new equipment, growing your team, or updating standards, it pays to plan ahead:

  • Evaluate long-term upgrades like catwalks, mezzanines, or platforms
  • Review current emergency exit strategies and signage
  • Future-proof your facility for new technologies or workflows

We help customers design solutions that grow with them balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s vision.

Let’s Walk It Together

At Adams, we’ve spent a century helping facilities make meaningful, lasting safety improvements. Whether it’s a full facility walk-through or a few targeted upgrades, our team is here to help you safely work smart.

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A Smarter Way to Source: Unlock the Value of Working with a Material Handling Expert

A Smarter Way to Source: Unlock the Value of Working with a Material Handling Expert

When it comes to planning, upgrading, or optimizing your facility’s material handling systems, product listings alone won’t get the job done right. Catalogs and online ordering platforms are a convenient way to browse product options, compare specs, and quickly access common equipment.

At Adams, we’re here to help you build a smarter, safer, and more efficient facility and incorporate solutions such as shelving, racking, workstations, or mezzanines that best serve your operational goals.

Why Work with a Material Handling Expert?

Tailored to Your Space

Every facility has its own footprint, flow, and operational needs. A catalog can show you what’s possible and an expert helps make it work for your environment.

Designed for Productivity

We don’t just ask what you need; we ask how you work. Then we design around that, ensuring your layout supports efficiency, safety, and long-term performance.

Scalable for Growth

Whether you’re expanding, automating, or improving throughput, our solutions are built to evolve with your business – not limit it.

End-to-End Support

From consultation and layout to delivery and installation, we stay involved. When plans shift (as they often do), we’re there to help adjust and keep your project on track.

Ready to Think Smarter?

Catalogs are valuable references, absolutely, but when your goal is operational excellence, partnering with a material handling expert makes all the difference.

At Adams, we combine product knowledge, design thinking, and hands-on support to help you make the best use of your space – safely, efficiently, and strategically.

Let’s build smarter spaces together.

Contact us and explore more at our Contact Us page.

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A Look at the Industries and Professionals Behind Smarter Spaces

A Look at the Industries and Professionals Behind Smarter Spaces

We believe that great spaces start with understanding the people who use them. Across industries and job roles, our customers face similar challenges, managing space, improving safety, increasing efficiency, and supporting the people who do the work.

Whether you’re managing a plant floor, a school building, or a city department, we’re proud to play a small role in helping your space work better.

Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities

From plant managers to production leads, the teams in manufacturing environments need spaces that support productivity and safety. We work alongside these professionals to provide smart infrastructure: shelving, racking, workstations, and mezzanines that make better use of space and improve workflow.

Automotive Dealerships and Service Centers

Service departments depend on clean, efficient storage. Dealership managers, parts professionals, and technicians rely on strong systems for tool storage, lockers, bay organization, and parts management. Our goal is to support the smooth flow of service operations.

Healthcare and Laboratory Environments

In clinical and lab settings, workspace matters. Safety, sterility, and function go hand in hand. We help outfit healthcare environments with carts, cabinets, adaptable workstations, and high-density storage that support both people and processes.

Educational Institutions

Schools, colleges, and districts all face the challenge of doing more with limited space. From science classrooms to locker rooms and storage rooms, Adams works with facilities teams and administrators to create durable, functional, and well-organized spaces.

Government and Municipal Buildings

City planners, public works leaders, and building managers need long-term, reliable infrastructure. Whether it’s for storage, operations, or secure environments, we help public sector teams design and equip spaces that meet both immediate needs and future demands.

Contractors and Facilities Managers

Construction and facilities professionals are trusted to build and maintain spaces that work. We collaborate with contractors, architects, and maintenance leaders to provide infrastructure solutions that fit both timelines and budgets—without cutting corners.

Why It Matters

These industries may look different on the surface, but they all rely on one common thing: people who capably create spaces that work better. Whether you’re moving parts, treating patients, educating students, or supporting your community, your space matters, and we’re honored to support the work you do.

If you’re tackling a facility challenge or simply want to explore smarter material handling options, the Adams team is here to help.

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Material Handling Systems

Material Handling Systems

Why the Right Material Handling Partner Is a Game-Changer for Your Operation

When it comes to running a productive, safe, and scalable facility, your material handling systems play a major role. Whether you’re operating a warehouse, manufacturing plant, or distribution center, partnering with a qualified material handling company can give you a serious edge.

Here are three key ways a trusted partner like Adams Incorporated can help your facility work smarter:

1. Optimized Layout & Space Utilization

A well-planned facility layout helps reduce wasted motion, improve productivity, and make better use of your existing space. By analyzing workflow and storage needs, a material handling expert can help you streamline operations without costly expansions.

Whether it’s choosing the right shelving, racking, conveyors, or mezzanines, the goal is always the same: to make your space work better for your team.

Getting the right products in the right places means fewer headaches, smoother processes, and more room to grow.

2. Enhanced Safety & Smarter Workflows

A well-designed facility doesn’t just move product, it also protects people. The right material handling systems reduce the risk of injuries and equipment damage, while promoting smoother, safer daily operations.

From guard rails and safety barriers to ergonomic workstations and anti-fatigue mats, Adams helps create environments where teams can work confidently and efficiently.

Safety isn’t a checkbox, it’s built into every solution we provide.

3. Turnkey Solutions & Ongoing Support

A qualified partner isn’t just there for the install, they’re there for the long haul. At Adams, we offer full-service support: from concept and product selection to installation and ongoing maintenance.

We take pride in being agile problem-solvers who help keep your operations running smoothly.

Let’s Get to Work

Whether you’re building from the ground up or looking to improve what you already have, the right material handling approach can lead to safer, more efficient operations.

Every facility has unique challenges, and smart solutions start with understanding your space, your people, and your goals.

Start the conversation with Adams today, and take a step toward a facility that works better for you.