Linder Industrial Machinery has announced a leadership transition.
John Coughlin, who has served as president and chief executive officer since 2010, will transfer responsibilities to Executive Vice President of Operations Travis Mullins, who was appointed president and chief executive officer on April 1, 2025. In tandem with this change, Richard Fikis, current executive vice president of construction sales, was appointed chief operating officer.
John Coughlin has been an integral part of Linder for 22 years, guiding the company through substantial growth and transformation. Under his leadership, Linder has expanded its market presence, strengthened relationships with key manufacturing partners and enhanced its commitment to customer service and innovation. "Leading Linder has been an incredible journey, and I am deeply grateful for the dedicated team and valued customers who have made our businesses mutually successful," Coughlin said.
Ichiro Murofushi, chairman of Linder's board of directors, said, "On behalf of Linder's employees, manufacturing partners and the board, I would like to thank John for his outstanding leadership and resolve during his 15 years as president and CEO. John's strategic vision has positioned our company as a well-diversified, premier equipment and solutions provider across the southeast. We are excited to support Travis, Rich and the leadership team in driving the next level of growth for Linder and its stakeholders."
Mullins brings extensive industry experience and a strong track record of leadership to his new role as president and chief executive officer. Having served in several executive positions at Linder for nearly 10 years, Mullins has played an essential role in driving operational excellence and executing strategic growth and customer success initiatives. His deep understanding of the business and his commitment to innovation and excellence positions him exceptionally well to lead Linder into its next chapter.
"I am honored to step into this role and build upon the legacy that John established," said Mullins. "Linder is a company with a rich history and a bright future. I look forward to working with our talented team to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and partners."
Fikis was vice president of sales of Linder for three years before his promotion to an executive vice president position in 2024. Prior to joining Linder, Fikis held several senior leadership roles with Komatsu North America, contributing to that company's success for more than 20 years. His deep industry experience, proven leadership and customer-centric approach will serve him well in his new role as chief operating officer.
"Linder has a strong legacy of excellence, and I look forward to working with Travis and our incredible team to drive innovation, efficiency and continued growth for our customers and partners," said Fikis.
As part of the transition, Coughlin will stay on as senior advisor over the next year to ensure a seamless transition and successful integration of recent acquisitions.
"I have complete confidence in Travis, Rich and the leadership team to continue building on our strong foundation," said Coughlin.
Linder launched a material handling and port solutions division in 2014. Four years later, Linder Turf & Tractor was established, which now has seven locations in three states. In 2024, Linder expanded into Virginia making Linder the largest Komatsu dealer in the country. Linder remains committed to its mission of delivering top-tier products and services to its customers while fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
