2019 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Joe Emery

Joe Emery started his career in the automotive division of Jervis B. Webb, but the Great Recession took him in on a different path.

Emery said he was “loaned” to the airport division once projects started getting canceled and while there, something clicked and he really enjoyed the airport-focused projects.

“Everyday presents a different challenge. The new challenges can be frustrating at first, but the reward of presenting a solution outweighs any negatives during the process,” he said. “When people ask me about my position, I like to explain it’s the exact opposite of the Groundhog Day movie. Every day presents a new challenge, and results in a reward to resolve the open design question.”

Emery has been with the company for more than 12 years. In 2007, he began his career as a mechanical engineer before reaching his current position as senior sales application engineer, where he has made himself a huge asset to the airport technologies division of Daifuku.

Emery has established himself as a leader known for always offering a helping hand to his peers and colleagues. Whenever there is something that needs extra support, he’s the first to offer assistance.

Emery is well-versed in baggage handling technology, including the use of the mobile inspection tables (MIT) in CBRA applications which provides improved ergonomics and efficiency for the TSA. He was responsible for the design of the first MIT system in North America at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

Emery is incredibly versatile and is often juggling multiple projects at once. He is an expert in designing baggage handling systems, where he contributes conceptual design layouts, reviews alternates and consistently identifies cost savings for airline and airport customers.

Additionally, Emery is leading the Baggage Tray System design for the Daifuku North American research and development center.

He has spoken as a subject matter expert on baggage handling innovations at several conferences including Passenger Terminal Expo and the International Association of Baggage System Companies (IABSC).