Hall of Fame

Recognizing the pioneers whose inventions, ideas, leadership and courage have contributed to the industry and our community's quality of life.

Congratulations to Susan Cobey (Eagle Crusher) and Akio Takeuchi (Takeuchi Manufacturing) for their induction to the AEM Hall of Fame for 2023.

Since 2008, the AEM Hall of Fame has honored pioneering individuals who have invented, managed, built and led the off-road equipment industry. Individually and collectively they represent some of the best, brightest and most influential minds in the history of the off-road equipment industry.

By honoring these individuals, the AEM Hall of Fame also strives to instill a deeper public understanding and appreciation for the continuing role of our industry in global business success and continued growth for our unparalleled standard of living.

The AEM Hall of Fame accepts nominations year-round through our online nomination form. Please honor those who have risen to the elite of our industry with a nomination to the AEM Hall of Fame.

Nomination Process

Deadline for nominations for 2024 induction: June 14, 2024

Inductees into the AEM Hall of Fame should exemplify key guiding principles:
  1. Innovation
  2. Industry Contributions
  3. Leadership
  4. Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility

For more information about AEM Hall of Fame or the nomination process, email or call AEM at 800-867-6060.

Nomination Form

Looking for some tips? Read How to Submit a Better AEM Hall of Fame Nomination.

Hall of Famers

Akio Takeuchi

Akio Takeuchi

1933

Founder

Takeuchi Manufacturing

Inducted 2023

Susanne Cobey

Susanne Cobey

1951

CEO

Eagle Crusher

Inducted 2023

Sherman Ward "Bud" Bushnell

Sherman Ward "Bud" Bushnell

1921 - 2020

Founder

Genie

Inducted 2022

Bryn Fosburgh

Bryn Fosburgh

1962

Senior Vice President

Trimble, Inc.

Inducted 2021

Art Moore

Art Moore

1924 – 2019

Founder

Snorkel Lifts

Inducted 2020

Koop Ferwerda

Koop Ferwerda

1900 - 1955

Inventor

Gradall Excavator

Inducted 2020

Ray Ferwerda

Ray Ferwerda

1899 - 1976

Inventor

Gradall Excavator

Inducted 2020

Mary Andringa

Mary Andringa

1949

Chair of the Board

Vermeer Corporation

Inducted 2019

Douglass Steiger

Douglass Steiger

1933

Co-founder

Steiger Manufacturing Company

Inducted 2018

John Steiger

John Steiger

1895 - 1976

Co-founder

Steiger Manufacturing Company

Inducted 2018

Maurice Steiger

Maurice Steiger

1928 - 1991

Co-founder

Steiger Manufacturing Company

Inducted 2018

Dwight “Dyke” Messinger

Dwight “Dyke” Messinger

1950

President & CEO

Power Curbers Inc.

Inducted 2017

Ray Hagie

Ray Hagie

1910 - 2006

Founder

Hagie Manufacturing, LLC

Inducted 2016

Robert L. Vermeer

Robert L. Vermeer

1944

Chair Emeritus

Vermeer Corporation

Inducted 2016

Jon Kinzenbaw

Jon Kinzenbaw

1944

Founder, President & CEO

Kinze Manufacturing

Inducted 2015

Joseph MacDonald

Joseph MacDonald

1924 - 1991

Chairman & CEO

MacDon Industries

Inducted 2015

Agustin 'Gus' Ramirez

Agustin 'Gus' Ramirez

1946

Chairman & Founder

HUSCO International

Inducted 2014

E.G. Melroe and the Melroe Family

E.G. Melroe and the Melroe Family

1892 - 1955

Founder

Melroe Manufacturing & Bobcat Company

Inducted 2014

John D. West

John D. West

1906 - 1989

Chairman, CEO & President

The Manitowoc Company

Inducted 2014

Robert J. Ratliff

Robert J. Ratliff

1931 - 2017

Founder, President, Chairman & CEO

AGCO Corporation

Inducted 2014

Rollin Henry White

Rollin Henry White

1872 - 1962

Founder

Cleveland tractor Company (Cletrac)

Inducted 2014

Friedrich W. Schwing, Sr.

Friedrich W. Schwing, Sr.

1909 - 1992

Founder

Schwing GmbH

Inducted 2013

Helmut Claas

Helmut Claas

1926 - 2021

Chairman of the Shareholder's Committee

CLAAS KGaA mbH

Inducted 2013

Ray O'Connor

Ray O'Connor

1962

President & CEO

Topcon Positioning Group

Inducted 2013

John Deere

John Deere

1804 - 1886

Founder

Deere & Company

Inducted 2012

Keith Wood

Keith Wood

1917 - 2004

Co-founder

Woods Equipment Company

Inducted 2012

Leonard Wood

Leonard Wood

1913 - 2000

Co-founder

Woods Equipment Company

Inducted 2012

Mervel Wood

Mervel Wood

1920 - 2012

Co-founder

Woods Equipment Company

Inducted 2012

Pierre Bataille

Pierre Bataille

1926 - 2009

Chairman & CEO

Poclain

Inducted 2012

Don Landoll

Don Landoll

1943

Chairman

Landoll Corporation

Inducted 2011

Elton Long

Elton Long

1912 - 2003

Vice President, Construction Equipment Engineering

Case Construction Equipment

Inducted 2011

Dr. Hans Liebherr

Dr. Hans Liebherr

1915 - 1993

Founder

Liebherr Company

Inducted 2010

Jim Gorman

Jim Gorman

1925

Chairman of the Board

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Inducted 2010

Donald V. Fites

Donald V. Fites

1934

Chairman & CEO

Caterpillar Inc.

Inducted 2008

Jerome Increase Case

Jerome Increase Case

1819 - 1891

Founder

J.I. Case Machinery Company

Inducted 2008

LeRoy G. Hagenbuch

LeRoy G. Hagenbuch

1944

Co-founder & President

Phillippi-Hagenbuch Inc.

Inducted 2008

Lord Anthony Bamford

Lord Anthony Bamford

1945

Chairman

JCB Inc.

Inducted 2008

Ronald M. DeFeo

Ronald M. DeFeo

1953

Chairman & CEO

Terex Corporation

Inducted 2008

Cyril Keller

Cyril Keller

1922 - 2020

Developer, Skid Steer Loader

N/A

Inducted 1999

Edward D. Etnyre

Edward D. Etnyre

1859 - 1933

Founder

E.D. Etnyre & Company

Inducted 1999

J. Don Brock

J. Don Brock

1939 - 2015

President & Chairman

Astec Industries

Inducted 1999

John Heltzel

John Heltzel

1882 - 1952

Founder

Heltzel Steel Form & Iron

Inducted 1999

Louis Keller

Louis Keller

1923 - 2010

Developer, Skid Steer Loader

N/A

Inducted 1999

Reinhard Wirtgen

Reinhard Wirtgen

1914 - 1997

Founder

Wirtgen GmbH

Inducted 1999

Robert H. Studebaker

Robert H. Studebaker

1911 - 1999

Founder

Laserplane

Inducted 1999

Charles Swigert

Charles Swigert

1862 - 1935

Founder

Electric Steel Foundry

Inducted 1996

Gary J. Vermeer

Gary J. Vermeer

1918 - 2009

Founder, Chairman Emeritus

Vermeer Manufacturing

Inducted 1996

Richard D. Messinger

Richard D. Messinger

1915 - 1998

Chairman

Power Curbers Inc.

Inducted 1996

Thomas L. Smith

Thomas L. Smith

1855 - 1921

Founder

Telsmith Company

Inducted 1996

William Dana Ewart

William Dana Ewart

1851 - 1908

Founder

Link-Belt Machinery Company

Inducted 1996

William Smith Otis

William Smith Otis

1813 - 1839

Inventor, Steam Shovel

N/A

Inducted 1996

Daniel Best

Daniel Best

1838 - 1923

Founder

Best Manufacturing

Inducted 1994

Frank G. Hough

Frank G. Hough

1890 - 1965

Founder

Frank G. Hough Company

Inducted 1994

H. Ashley Barber

H. Ashley Barber

1911 - 1986

CEO

Barber - Greene Company

Inducted 1994

Robert Gilmore LeTourneau

Robert Gilmore LeTourneau

1888 - 1969

Founder

LeTourneau Company

Inducted 1994

William B. Greene

William B. Greene

1886 - 1982

Co-founder

Barber-Greene Company

Inducted 1994

William Mulligan

William Mulligan

1930 - 2017

Executive Vice President

Ingersoll-Rand Company

Inducted 1994

Benjamin Holt

Benjamin Holt

1849 - 1920

Founder

Holt Manufacturing Company

Inducted 1993

Charles S. Johnson

Charles S. Johnson

1877 - 1941

Founder

C.S. Johnson Company

Inducted 1993

Clarence Killebrew

Clarence Killebrew

1911 - 2001

Corporate Director & Vice President, Engineering

Clark Equipment

Inducted 1993

Edwin Malzahn

Edwin Malzahn

1921 - 2015

President

The Charles Machine Works

Inducted 1993

G.W. "Bill" Swisher Jr.

G.W. "Bill" Swisher Jr.

1930 - 2012

Founder

CMI Corporation

Inducted 1993

Gary Godbersen

Gary Godbersen

1939

Co-founder

GOMACO Corporation

Inducted 1993

Harry H. Barber

Harry H. Barber

1878 - 1948

Co-founder

Barber - Greene Company

Inducted 1993

Henry Harnischfeger

Henry Harnischfeger

1855 - 1930

Founder

Harnischfeger Corporation

Inducted 1993

Howard Hall

Howard Hall

1894 - 1971

Founder

Iowa Manufacturing

Inducted 1993

John L. Grove

John L. Grove

1921 - 2003

Co-founder

JLG Industries & Grove Manufacturing Company

Inducted 1993

Joseph Cyril Bamford

Joseph Cyril Bamford

1916 - 2001

Founder

JCB Inc.

Inducted 1993

Simon Ingersoll

Simon Ingersoll

1818 - 1920

Founder

Ingersoll-Rand Company

Inducted 1993