Thomas Musschoot

Chief Executive Officer General Kinematics

Last Reviewed: September 29, 2026

Executive Summary

Thomas Musschoot is Chief Executive Officer of General Kinematics, the Crystal Lake, Illinois manufacturer of vibratory processing equipment and turnkey foundry systems that his grandfather, Al Musschoot, founded as a small storefront in Barrington, Illinois in 1960. He has spent his whole recorded career at the family company, joining in 1999, becoming President in 2015 and taking over as CEO from his father in July 2023. Under his leadership the company has turned outward through acquisition, adding SKALA Australasia and South Africa’s Llambec Technology in 2025, while remaining a third-generation, family-owned business.

Career Highlights

• Chief Executive Officer of General Kinematics since July 2023, the third generation of the Musschoot family to lead the company.
• President of General Kinematics from March 2015, succeeding William Acton.
• Previously Vice President of North American Sales, after roles in marketing, production and sales from 1999.
• Led the acquisition of SKALA Australasia, a recycling and mining systems integrator in Beresfield, Australia, in July 2025.
• Led the acquisition of Llambec Technology, a South African vibratory equipment maker, in November 2025.
• General Kinematics was named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 with three-year revenue growth of 84%, its second appearance on the list.

Professional Journey

Musschoot joined General Kinematics in 1999 and worked across marketing, production and sales, rising to Vice President of North American Sales. The company is an engineering business at root: it designs and custom-fabricates vibratory equipment for moving and processing bulk material, got its start serving Midwestern foundries, and has since extended into mining, aggregates and recycling. It says it has held more than 200 patents worldwide and installed over 50,000 units.

In March 2015 he was promoted to President, succeeding William Acton, while his father Paul Musschoot remained Chairman and CEO. In July 2023 the company realigned its executive team: Thomas became CEO, Paul continued as Chairman of the Board, and Ray Deeter was named Chief Operating Officer.

As CEO he has overseen growth through acquisition. Earlier purchases of Cyrus Vibrating Equipment, Tuffman Recycling Equipment and the Foundry Equipment Company (FECo), the last of which gave its GK Systems foundry-integration business engineering capacity, were followed in July 2025 by SKALA Australasia, a longtime partner serving recyclers and mines in Australia and New Zealand, and in November 2025 by Llambec Technology in South Africa, which the company presented as strengthening its position across Africa. By its 65th anniversary in September 2025 General Kinematics described itself as a global business with more than 300 employees, a family of five brands, seven satellite offices and a 262,000 sq ft headquarters in Crystal Lake. It was also listed on the 2025 Inc. 5000, having grown revenue 84% over three years.

Education

Bradley University

Bachelor’s degree

Webster University

MBA