Linder Industrial Machinery, a Plant City, Florida-based heavy equipment distributor serving the U.S. Southeast, has confirmed a leadership transition effective April 1. John Coughlin, who has served as president and CEO for the past 15 years, will hand over the reins to Travis Mullins, the company’s Executive Vice President of Operations. Alongside this change, Richard Fikis, Linder’s current Executive Vice President of Construction Sales, will be appointed as Chief Operating Officer.
Coughlin, who has been a cornerstone of the company for over two decades, has played a key role in Linder’s significant growth and evolution. Under his leadership, the company expanded its market presence, strengthened its partnerships with major manufacturers, and enhanced its focus on customer service and innovation. Reflecting on his tenure, Coughlin expressed his gratitude, stating, “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.”
Ichiro Murofushi, Chairman of Linder’s Board of Directors, praised Coughlin’s contributions, saying, “On behalf of Linder’s employees, manufacturing partners, and the board, I would like to thank John for his outstanding leadership. His strategic vision has firmly positioned our company as a premier equipment provider across the Southeast. We are excited to support Travis, Rich, and the leadership team in driving the next level of growth for Linder.”
Mullins, who has nearly a decade of experience at Linder, brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a proven track record of driving operational excellence and strategic growth. “I am honored to step into this role and build upon the legacy that John established,” Mullins said. “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, who joined Linder as Vice President of Sales in 2021 before being promoted to Executive Vice President in 2024, also brings extensive leadership experience. Prior to Linder, he held senior positions at Komatsu North America. “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,” Fikis said.
Coughlin will continue to serve as a senior advisor for the next year to ensure a smooth transition and successful integration of recent acquisitions.
Since its founding, Linder has expanded its operations with the launch of new divisions, including a material handling and port solutions division in 2014, and Linder Turf & Tractor in 2018, which now operates across seven locations in three states. In 2024, the company’s expansion into Virginia cemented its position as the largest Komatsu dealer in the U.S.