Karen Norheim is the CEO and second-generation leader of American Crane & Equipment Corporation (ACECO), where she has honored her father’s founding legacy while shaping a modern, values-driven culture of her own. Guided by the mantra “ALWAYS LIFT. NEVER QUIT.”, Karen has led a renewal of ACECO’s vision, mission, and values, viewing her role as both a gardener and a Viking—cultivating people and systems while preparing them to navigate the challenges of business and life. Under her leadership, American Crane has grown into an internationally recognized manufacturer of cranes, hoists, and material handling equipment.
A respected leader and advocate within the manufacturing industry, Karen is a strong voice for innovation, workforce development, and inclusion. She has driven ACECO’s digital transformation through initiatives like the Innovation Lab, launching accessible IoT solutions such as Smart Crane IoT and Machine Health IoT to bring advanced technology to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Through mentoring, speaking, and community engagement, Karen strives to create a “ripple effect” by inspiring future generations—especially women—to pursue careers and leadership roles in manufacturing.
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Alka Bahal: Welcome to the Think Factory’s Women’s Roundtable podcast, where we learn how women think big and grow business, powered by OGC Solutions.
My name is Alka Bahal. I am a partner with Outside General Counsel Solutions and chair of our Corporate Immigration Services Group, and I’m pleased to be your host today. I am very excited to have with me here Karen Norheim, CEO of American Crane and Equipment Company. Welcome to the podcast, Karen.
Karen Norheim: Thanks for having me today. It’s such a pleasure.
Alka Bahal: So can we start out with, tell me a little bit about your current role at American Crane.
Karen Norheim: Sure. I am the CEO of American Crane, and I’ve been here for almost 24 years, and in that, in the role that I am in now, which has been a long, like I said, a long progress to getting to this point, I am, you know, the buck stops with me.
I’m setting vision for the company where we’re headed, working on strategic planning, building an amazing leadership team and maintaining that team so that we can execute on the business at hand for our customers in the different industries that we serve. So yes, it’s an exciting role. We’re actually a second-generation family business.
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