Layton Systems Appoints New Sales Vice President
The manufacturer is scaling its sales department to support new growth in international markets.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in People
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Layton Systems has appointed owner Alan Hafner as the company's new Vice President of Sales. This strategic move aims to accelerate domestic and international growth for the Salem-based manufacturer.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a shift toward expanding global market share, specifically targeting business development in Europe and Latin America. It also marks a structural scaling phase for the firm, which has grown its sales department to three representatives.
Layton Systems has expanded its internal sales capacity to three representatives from a baseline of one. This growth follows the company's long-term history of integrating acquisitions, including A.B. McLauchlan and Welliver Metal Products.
The players
Alan Hafner
An owner of Layton Systems with a long-term operational background in manufacturing engineering and production management.
Layton Systems
A Salem-based manufacturing firm that has expanded through multiple acquisitions and is now scaling its international sales department.
The details
As Vice President of Sales, Hafner is responsible for scaling the sales strategy and international market penetration. The firm currently utilizes a representative organization in Mexico, which serves as a foundation for its broader North American and international operations. This leadership change aligns with the company's ongoing effort to transition from its legacy West Salem manufacturing focus into a more robust export-oriented business model.
Timeline
2004: Layton Systems acquired A.B. McLauchlan.
2007: The company acquired Welliver Metal Products and moved to a West Salem facility.
2011: Alan Hafner returned to the firm as Production Manager.
2016: Alan Hafner relocated to Montana.
- 2026-10-30
Alan Hafner was appointed Vice President of Sales.
Market Landscape
This leadership appointment follows the precedent of Layton Systems' 2007 relocation and acquisition-led growth phase. The move signifies a shift from internal production management to a focus on external sales strategy and international business development.
Owners should track how Layton Systems leverages its existing sales representative model in Mexico to enter new European and Latin American markets. The firm's expansion to three salespeople provides a benchmark for local operators looking to scale their own internal sales headcount.
The takeaway
Operational success in international expansion often hinges on pivoting from internal production focus to external market-facing strategy. Operators should evaluate whether their own current sales organizational structure is capable of supporting multi-region growth before committing to foreign market entry.
Further reading
For broader trends in executive leadership shifts, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaging World.
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