Terex Appoints AI Chief, Signaling Major Digital Push in Heavy Industry

NORWALK, CT – January 19, 2026 – Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX), a global manufacturer of industrial equipment, today announced a significant strategic move with the appointment of Namita Jindal as its first Senior Vice President and Chief AI and Data Officer. The appointment, effective immediately, places Jindal on the company's Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to President and CEO Simon Meester. This high-level appointment signals a deliberate acceleration of the company's digital strategy, positioning artificial intelligence and data analytics at the core of its future growth.

Jindal joins Terex from CentralSquare Technologies, where she served as Chief Information Officer. Her two-decade career includes key digital transformation leadership roles, notably as CIO for the Honeywell Intelligrated automation business. Her background is seen as critical for steering the heavy equipment giant through its next evolutionary phase.

"I am delighted to welcome Namita to Terex," said CEO Simon Meester in the official announcement. "Her extensive experience with artificial intelligence and enhanced data management will accelerate our transformational digital strategy and help us build a stronger, more efficient, more profitable company."

A Strategic Pivot in a Transforming Sector

The creation of a C-suite role dedicated to AI and data is a telling move in the traditionally hardware-focused heavy industrial sector. It reflects a broader industry-wide shift towards "smart manufacturing," where digital technologies are no longer optional but essential for survival and competitive advantage. By establishing this position, Terex is institutionalizing its commitment to leveraging data as a primary asset, moving beyond simply manufacturing machines to providing intelligent, connected solutions.

This move aligns Terex with other forward-thinking competitors. Komatsu, for instance, has a Chief Data Analytics and AI Officer leading its own AI Centre of Excellence. The trend underscores a recognition that the future of industrial equipment lies in its ability to generate, process, and act on data. The global industrial AI market is projected to surge to over $150 billion by 2030, and companies are racing to build the internal capabilities to capture a share of that value. Jindal's appointment is a clear signal to investors and the market that Terex intends to be a leader, not a follower, in this technological race.

Industry analysts note that for companies like Terex, the challenge is to ensure AI investments drive tangible growth and profitability, not just operational sustenance. Jindal's mandate will likely involve building a cohesive AI stack from the ground up, unifying disparate data streams, and cultivating a data-driven culture across the organization's global operations, from manufacturing floors in North America and Europe to service teams in Asia Pacific.

Building on an Existing Digital Foundation

While Jindal's appointment marks an acceleration, she is not starting from a blank slate. Terex has been methodically laying a digital groundwork for several years. Many of its core products, including mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and materials processing machinery, are already equipped with telematics systems that feed crucial operational data back to customers and the company.

This foundation has enabled the development of sophisticated support tools. For example, the "Ask Terex" platform functions as an AI-powered copilot for service technicians, providing near-instantaneous answers to complex technical questions by drawing on a vast library of machine documentation. Similarly, Terex Connect allows technicians to use augmented reality for remote diagnostics, reducing equipment downtime. These initiatives demonstrate an existing capacity for digital innovation that Jindal is now tasked with scaling and integrating.

Furthermore, Terex has been strategic with its acquisitions to bolster its AI capabilities. The 2022 purchase of ZenRobotics, a Finnish firm specializing in AI-driven waste-sorting robots, was a direct injection of advanced AI into its recycling solutions portfolio. More recently, the 2024 acquisition of Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) expanded its footprint in the waste sector and brought with it ESG's "Connected Collections" ecosystem, an integrated technology platform ripe for AI-driven optimization. These moves provide Jindal with both cutting-edge technology and real-world use cases to build upon.

From Smarter Machines to Sustainable Solutions

The ultimate goal of Terex's AI strategy is to deliver tangible value to its customers and stakeholders. The practical applications span the entire equipment lifecycle, promising to revolutionize everything from manufacturing to maintenance and end-of-life recycling. One of the most significant impacts is expected in predictive maintenance. By analyzing sensor data from its connected machines, AI algorithms can anticipate potential component failures before they happen, allowing customers to schedule repairs proactively, minimize costly unplanned downtime, and extend the operational life of their investments.

AI will also drive the development of smarter, more autonomous equipment. This could manifest in excavators that automatically optimize digging paths or mobile work platforms with enhanced safety features that prevent accidents. In the supply chain, AI promises to deliver greater resilience and efficiency by improving demand forecasting, optimizing inventory levels, and predicting potential disruptions.

This digital push is also deeply intertwined with Terex's sustainability goals. AI-optimized machinery operates more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The AI-powered sorting robots from ZenRobotics are a prime example, making recycling processes more effective and contributing to the circular economy. By creating more efficient and intelligent products, Terex is positioning itself as a key enabler for its customers' own environmental targets, transforming its role from a simple equipment provider to a partner in sustainable operations.