ECI names Adam Sklader industry president for manufacturing

ECI Software Solutions has appointed Adam Sklader as Industry President for Manufacturing, overseeing the company's manufacturing portfolio in North America and Australia.

He will lead strategy and execution across a business serving manufacturers that want tighter links between software systems and better visibility into operations. The role also includes the use of artificial intelligence tools in day-to-day manufacturing management.

The appointment puts a long-serving manufacturing software executive in a senior operating role as ECI looks to strengthen its position in the sector. Sklader brings more than 16 years of experience in manufacturing technology, including 13 years at IFS, where he led sales across discrete and process manufacturing.

ECI sells business software to small and medium-sized companies in industries including manufacturing, building and construction, field service and distribution. It serves 25,000 customers in more than 90 countries and has offices across North America, Europe, India and Australia.

Sector focus

Manufacturing is a key part of ECI's industry strategy, with software designed to help businesses run operations end to end. Sklader's appointment signals that the sector remains a priority for growth in both established and overseas markets.

His brief centres on connecting disconnected systems, improving operational oversight and applying AI tools to routine decision-making. Those issues have become more pressing for manufacturers facing pressure on supply chains, production planning and customer response times.

"Manufacturers today are navigating constant change, from supply chain disruption to evolving customer demands, and they need partners and solutions that address these challenges while enabling long term growth," said Adam Sklader, Industry President, Manufacturing, at ECI. "That means connecting systems that don't talk to each other today, giving teams better visibility into what's actually happening, and using AI in practical ways to make faster and smarter decisions. My focus is on scaling that impact so our customers see measurable improvements in how they operate every day."

Leadership move

Before joining ECI, Sklader spent much of his career at IFS, an industrial software group with a presence in manufacturing. His experience covered sales leadership in both discrete manufacturing, which involves assembling distinct products, and process manufacturing, which typically covers goods produced through formulas or recipes.

That background gives him exposure to a broad range of industrial customers and varying software needs across factory environments. It also suggests ECI wants both commercial leadership and sector expertise in a market where software suppliers increasingly compete on industry specialisation.

Chief Revenue Officer Graham Younger highlighted that experience in explaining the appointment. "Adam is a seasoned leader with deep roots in the manufacturing technology space," Younger said. "He understands the realities that manufacturers face and brings a disciplined approach to execution and a strong understanding of what it takes to succeed in this industry. That experience is critical as we continue to invest in AI and expand what we can deliver for manufacturers who need solutions that work in the real world, not just on paper."

Broader business

ECI's wider business spans software for finance, customer relationship management, analytics, eCommerce, mobile applications and payments, with products designed for industry-specific use rather than a single horizontal platform. In manufacturing, that typically means systems intended to cover production, inventory, customer orders and shop floor activity within one software environment.

Based in Westlake, Texas, the company has built an international footprint over more than three decades. Its presence in Australia is part of the portfolio now under Sklader's leadership, alongside the North American business.

The move comes as software companies serving industrial customers place greater emphasis on AI features that promise faster decision support and clearer operational data. For manufacturers, the challenge is often less about adopting a single new tool than linking older and newer systems across purchasing, production and delivery.

Sklader's remit reflects that shift, combining product direction and market execution in a segment where buyers are under pressure to improve output and responsiveness without adding unnecessary complexity.