James J. Shuttleworth

For his significant contributions as an inventor, entrepreneur, and businessman, the Purdue University Schools of Engineering are proud to present the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award to James J. Shuttleworth.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Shuttleworth Incorporated
BSME '60


Shuttleworth bust

From his Purdue years to present

After graduation from Purdue, Mr. Shuttleworth returned to Huntington, Indiana, where he began working for his family's canning and machinery company. In 1962 he purchased the machinery side of the business, and for several years served as engineer, salesman, and president for the firm, whose primary products at the time were canning and packaging equipment. Since then, the company, which became Shuttleworth Incorporated in 1974, has grown to become an international manufacturer of advanced, automated, and custom-engineered conveyor and material handling systems. IN addition to the Huntington plant, the firm now has manufacturing sites in Yokohama, Japan, and Athy, Ireland, as well as a sales office in Gent, Belgium. The firm's customers include many Fortune 500 companies, such as Digital Equipment Company and Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, as well as Standard Telephone and Communications (U.K.).

 

  • "As a kid I was fascinated with making things and I was always interested in designing," says Mr. Shuttleworth. "It's been in my travels outside of Indiana and the U.S. that I've really learned to appreciate Purdue. When you live in Indiana and you're interested in engineering, you say nonchalantly `I guess I'll go to Purdue.' Then after you graduate and learn the reputation the school has outside the state and the country, you realize, `Hey, Purdue was a pretty good place to go.'

     

  • "One of the most important aspects of my Purdue education was that I got to meet, for the first time, people from all over the world--people with different perspectives. Specifically, I think that's helped me with our company's work overseas."

     

Young Shuttleworth bust

His advice to the graduating engineer:

"Keep an open mind. Don't forget formulas, but keep asking questions. Remember to work with other people, appreciate their perspectives."