The AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) has added two deserving people to its AEM Hall of Fame roster—Akio Takeuchi and Susanne Cobey—both recognized for their innovative approach to the equipment manufacturing industry.
The Hall of Fame has, since 1993, been a way the AEM recognizes those pioneers whose inventions, ideas, leadership, and courage have lent themselves to the manufacturing and construction industry.
Susanne Cobey, Eagle Crusher
Susanne Cobey is the current Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Crusher Company, Inc., a manufacturer of heavy-duty crushing and screening equipment.
After joining the company in 1970, she rose to the rank of President and CEO in 1990. It was through her foresight, however, back in the mid-1980s that Eagle Crusher moved into the commercial recycling industry, building the first commercial recycling plant in the US in 1984, the Jumbo 1400.
Cobey’s innovations created a new product line for the company, not to mention a new North American industry.
The Jumbo series of plants helped take the crushing of aggregate, concrete, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) to new levels, saving tons of material (and asphalt) from landfills.
Under her vision, a line of portable horizontal impactor plants soon followed, creating a boon for the aggregate crushing, recycled concrete, and RAP markets.
Cobey has also been responsible for helping other women succeed in the male-dominated industry.
Company information may be found at www.eaglecrusher.com.
Akio Takeuchi, Takeuchi Manufacturing
Takeuchi founded Takeuchi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 1963 at the age of 29. Preferring to listen to his customers' needs, he helped a local business by creating a new machine—the world’s first 360-degree slew compact excavator—in 1971.
Other innovations from Takeuchi include the first offset boom excavator and the first compact track loader.
The company is a heavy construction machinery manufacturer of excavators, track loaders, crawler dumpers, and wheel loaders.
More information on the company can be found at www.takeuchi-us.com.