CIDAN Machinery Group has announced that Chandler Barden has been appointed CEO effective January 1, 2026.
He will lead CIDAN Machinery Group globally, steering the company’s worldwide operations and growth agenda.
Barden has 14 years with CIDAN, during which he has worked closely with customers, dealers, and partners across key markets. He currently serves as CEO of CIDAN Machinery Inc. in the United States and will succeed Petter Hjelmqvist, who will remain with the company in an advisory capacity. Barden also served as the board chair for the Metal Construction Association this year.
According to a media release, Barden “brings a strong track record in customer-driven growth and operational
execution.”
“His industry expertise across architectural and industrial fabrication makes him a natural choice to guide CIDAN forward,” the release continues.
“I’m honored to lead CIDAN Machinery Group and build on our momentum worldwide,” Barden says. “Our mission is to make it easier for architectural and industrial customers to plan, produce, and deliver with confidence. We bring together machines, software, automation, and service in one integrated experience.”
Hjelmqvist added: “Chandler combines commercial rigor with ahands-on understanding of production realities. He lives our customer promise and the ‘one-stop-partner’ approach that defines CIDAN. The group is in excellent hands.”
According to the media release, Baren will focus on: accelerating innovation across CIDAN’s portfolio of folding, long-folding machines, coil handling, slit & cut-to-length solutions, and connected software; strengthening global service, training, and spare-parts availability to maximize uptime; advancing the “one-stop-partner” strategy by delivering integrated machines, software, financing options, tooling, and lifecycle support; and deepening collaboration across Europe and North America to deliver consistent customer value and faster lead times.
