Rich Parkhurst is a Business Development Manager at KUKA Robotics Corporation, where he leads growth initiatives across North America in the Consumer Goods sector—including food & beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, and logistics. With over 25 years of experience in industrial automation, Rich brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and strategic insight to the evolving landscape of smart manufacturing. Throughout his career, Rich has helped manufacturers modernize operations by integrating advanced automation technologies. His work has focused on improving system reliability, reducing operational costs, and enhancing safety. Rich is passionate about bridging the gap between emerging technologies and real-world manufacturing challenges and brings a unique blend of technical depth and business acumen, making him a trusted advisor from both engineering and business management perspectives.