In business, vision is never static. It is a living framework that evolves as the world and our business changes. When we began 2025, AZO Inc. cast a clear vision centered on empowering our people, sharpening our market focus, strengthening partnerships, and delivering exceptional customer outcomes. Over the course of the year, that vision was tested, refined, and ultimately strengthened.
As we enter 2026, AZO is positioned with clarity, momentum, and confidence. The work we did last year laid the foundation, and in 2026 we will build.
Investing in Our Greatest Asset: Our People
If there is one area where AZO’s vision truly came to life in 2025, it is in our people. We are proud to have been recognized again as a Top Workplace in the Memphis area, with a special Training Award; a recognition that reflects our employees’ confidence in the development opportunities available to them.
This acknowledgment reinforces something we believe deeply: preparing for the next generation of leadership and expertise cannot wait. We are proactively developing our team through training, mentorship, and intentional growth so that AZO continues to deliver the highest level of technical excellence to our customers for years to come.
Our investment in people extends beyond our walls. In 2025, AZO continued its commitment to workforce development and community engagement through volunteer events with organizations such as Junior Achievement of the Mid-South, Su Casa, and the Memphis Museum of Science & History. From the Career Speaker series to hands-on STEM exposure, we are focused on supporting the local Memphis community and helping build a strong, skilled future workforce.
Strengthening Our Focus and Go-to-Market Strategy
One of the most important commitments we made was to sharpen our market focus and align our organization to support it. To that end, we reorganized our sales team to better reflect how our customers engage with us and how we can best serve them. This intentional focus allows AZO to concentrate our expertise, resources, and energy where we deliver the greatest value.
At the same time, we made meaningful progress advancing strategic partnerships. We deepened our collaboration with long-standing partners such as amixon and established new relationships, including an exclusive partnership with Rubitec to bring hygienic solutions to the U.S. market. We also continued developing Controls partnerships to ensure our customers receive integrated, reliable, and scalable automation solutions. Lastly, we actively partnered with OEMs to help our upstream partners deliver quality whole plant solutions for new manufacturing capacity.
These partnerships are not transactional. They are built around shared values, technical excellence, and a mutual commitment to customer success.
Operational Readiness for a Global Future
As AZO Inc continues to grow within the global AZO Group, operational alignment remains a key priority. As of January 1st, 2026 we went live with an ERP transition from a legacy system to the AZO Group standard SAP platform. While this transition period requires patience and adaptation, it positions AZO Inc. for streamlined operations, improved visibility, and stronger collaboration across the global AZO Group.
In parallel, we are actively participating in global initiatives spanning purchasing, controls, marketing, aftermarket support, finance, and other critical functions. This alignment strengthens our competitiveness, continuity, and scalability worldwide while maintaining a strong U.S. presence rooted in domestic expertise, service, and partnerships.
In an environment continually shaped by ever changing geopolitical, global and economic pressures, AZO remains committed to delivering the highest quality solutions at the best available value. Our focus remains firmly on protecting customer outcomes while continuing to invest in long-term capability.
Elevating the Customer Conversation
More than ever, our customers are asking not just what equipment we provide, but why a particular solution makes sense for their business. In response, AZO’s role has continued to evolve from equipment provider to strategic partner.
Today, our conversations are increasingly centered on return on investment, risk mitigation, labor efficiency, energy usage, safety, throughput, and automation strategy. We are helping customers build clear business cases and make informed, forward-looking decisions. This outcome-focused approach reflects AZO’s commitment to delivering real, measurable value, not just machines.
Looking Ahead
As we begin 2026, AZO enters the year with optimism and momentum. While uncertainty shaped parts of 2025, we believe the US market is poised for renewed movement and opportunity. With a focused strategy, a growing and engaged team, strong partners, and a disciplined commitment to doing what is right for our customers, AZO is ready to help drive the next phase of growth in ingredient automation.
The vision ahead is clear. The foundation is strong. And we look forward to continuing this journey with our team, partners, community, and our customers who make the products that we all rely on every day.
