Key Technology has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Nichols as senior director of research and development. Nichols is responsible for extending the company’s leadership position by implementing programs to develop and acquire new technologies that add value to customers in the food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

“Key is focused on solving customers’ production challenges,” said David Camp, president and CEO of Key Technology. “We invest significant resources to develop technology and equipment solutions that help customers improve product safety and quality while reducing operating costs. Taking the lead in research and development, Nichols’ initial objectives are to reduce new product time-to-market and implement processes and procedures to assure that the highest quality equipment and software are designed.”

Nichols comes to Key from Planar Systems Inc., where he worked for more than 15 years and held numerous positions of increasing responsibility including quality assurance manager, director of manufacturing, director of sustaining engineering & customer service, and director of engineering. Most recently, he was director of operations for Planar’s Command and Control Systems division. Prior to joining Planar Systems, Nichols was with Tektronix from 1976 to 1994. Nichols earned his Doctoral Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. 

“Key is a respected market leader known worldwide for innovative design, quality engineering, and excellent customer service,” said Nichols. “I am excited to join this team and contribute to expanding the company’s product offering. My objective is to help Key get further ahead of the curve in satisfying the evolving needs of food processors and pharmaceutical manufacturers around the world.”

Key Technology, an ISO-9001 certified company, is a leading designer and manufacturer of process automation systems, integrated electro-optical inspection and sorting systems, and processing systems. With worldwide sales representation, the company maintains demonstration and testing facilities at its headquarters and manufacturing divisions in Walla Walla, Washington and at Key Technology BV in Beusichem, the Netherlands.  For more information, visit www.key.net