Inside MHI Q&A

Doug Marrelli
Industry Group Manager

The people who work at MHI and its WERC division are the gears that keep the association moving. They ensure MHI continues to be a valuable association and resource for people involved in the industry and do so with wit, competence and a smile on their face. The goal of this column in MHI Solutions magazine is to give readers a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at MHI and “meet” the people who make it a successful hub for everyone involved in the material handling industry.

For this issue, Doug Marrelli gives us a peek into what he does, how he does it, what drives him and what makes him happy after a long, productive day at work.

Why were you attracted to MHI and this industry as a career choice?

I have been involved in supply chain management my entire working career. Early in my working career, I spent a few years in Japan, where I learned a great deal about material handling. It was a natural fit to join MHI, where I can use my industry experience to help others.

Who are two people you admire in the industry and what have you learned from them?

The main person who comes to mind, who goes way back, is Malcom McLean. I have heard the stories about how he invented global ocean containerization, despite being a trucking businessman based in North Carolina. His revolutionary work paved the way for the modern global supply chain to become what it is today.

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in your role at MHI in the next year?

I continue to learn about the many new and innovative career‑enhancing learning opportunities that MHI offers. My goal is to get out and meet more people in their workplaces, help educate them on what MHI has to offer and listen to opportunities that I can bring back to MHI. This will enable us to explore future opportunities we can offer our members.

What gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment (professionally) at the end of the day?

I truly enjoy helping others. Because there continues to be growing interest in the opportunities that material handling has to offer businesses, from cost savings to safety and automation, it is so rewarding to get to help others and witness the progress.

Do you have any unique skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

I am not sure this would be considered a skill or talent, but I have been fortunate enough to live and work in Asia, the Middle East, and have traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America, Central America and Australia. There is only so much planning you can do and then you just have to roll with things. It is such a gift when someone from another culture invites you into their home and you get a glimpse of how others live.

What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?

I absolutely LOVE to travel, especially internationally. I have been around the world four times on four separate trips and visited well over 30 countries, so far, for both business and pleasure. You learn so much about yourself when you travel, including gaining a huge appreciation for the place you call home.

What is your favorite sports team?

When I moved to North Carolina about 20 years ago, I decided I would get behind the local American football team, the Carolina Panthers. Well, to say it nicely, they have not had the best winning percentage over the years. The good thing is that in most seasons, they are out of the playoff race early, so it is pretty easy to get cheap tickets to their games. Through it all, I remain a loyal fan.

What would your perfect dinner entrée include?

Anything made in Italy. I have never had a bad meal in Italy.