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Ajit Baridun Wins MHI’s 2026 YPN Mentor Award
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Ajit Baridun, Hytrol Director of Business Development, is the winner of MHI’s 2026 YPN Mentor Award. He received the award during the MHI Annual Conference, held Sept. 27-30 in Palm Springs, California.
The recognition is part of MHI’s annual Young Professional Network (YPN) Awards. The award recognizes an “MHI member company employee who exemplifies outstanding mentorship by providing professional guidance, serving as a positive role model, advocating for the growth and development of others, and actively contributing to the MHI community.”
Baridun said he is honored and grateful to receive the award and that being part of YPN holds special significance.
“Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been helping someone else take their next step,” said Baridun. “To me, mentorship starts with making time—to listen, share experiences, ask thoughtful questions and offer encouragement when someone is navigating a challenge or considering a new opportunity. Seeing others build confidence, take on new challenges and grow as leaders is what makes this involvement so meaningful.”
“We’re proud to see Ajit receive this outstanding recognition,” said Mitch Smith, Hytrol Chief Revenue Officer. “His work and professionalism are exemplary, and we know that his mentorship and guidance of these young professionals will strengthen our industry for years to come.”
Baridun serves on the YPN Education Committee, which helps educate members through coffee chats, book clubs and webinars. He joined Hytrol in 2018 and works closely with key customer accounts and integration partners. Hytrol has been a member of MHI for more than 30 years.
About Hytrol:
Hytrol Conveyor Company Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of material handling systems for a variety of industries. Since its founding, the company has been dedicated to pushing forward the material handling industry. Hytrol is the largest conveyor manufacturer in the United States. It designs, develops, and delivers the most advanced material handling systems and includes a network of more than 100 independent businesses worldwide. For more information on Hytrol, visit hytrol.com.
About MHI:
MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, workforce solution providers, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, the members’ customers, and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association produces the ProMat and MODEX expositions that showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals. The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) is a division of MHI and provides education and research to the warehousing, distribution, and logistics community.