Amherst, New York, based materials handling manufacturer Columbus McKinnon announced that Jeff Armfield has been named its new executive director for global product strategy and development. Armfield, who took the reins on Jan. 20, came from Axle Tech International, where he served as global director of engineering and product management at that firm’s Troy, Michigan, operations facility. At Columbus McKinnon, Armfield will be responsible for devloping cross-functional product development and strategic planning.