Takeuchi, Eagle Crusher Leaders Inducted Into AEM Hall of Fame

At the end of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., two innovative individuals who significantly advanced the equipment manufacturing industry were inducted into AEM’s Hall of Fame.

The individuals honored were Akio Takeuchi, founder of Takeuchi Manufacturing and Susanne Cobey, CEO of Eagle Crusher. Both played valuable parts in the evolution and progress of each company and the equipment manufacturing industry as a whole.

The president of AEM, Megan Tanel gave them a warm welcome, “AEM takes great pride in welcoming Susanne Cobey and Akio Takeuchi to our Hall of Fame roster of esteemed industry leaders. They both serve as inspiration for the next generation to cultivate and pursue transformative ideas for the industry and the betterment of all."

Akio Takeuchi, Founder, Takeuchi Manufacturing

Akio Takeuchi, the visionary behind Takeuchi Manufacturing.Association of Equipment ManufacturersAkio Takeuchi has been part of the construction equipment industry for six decades. In 1963, at the age of 29, Takeuchi founded Takeuchi Manufacturing. Early on, he learned the value of listening to customers and understanding their needs. When a local business partner asked Takeuchi to create a new machine that would help his employees do their jobs faster, easier, and with less manual labor, he listened. The result was the world’s first compact excavator. Since then, Takeuchi Manufacturing has presented more innovations, including the first offset boom excavator and the first compact track loader. 

The Takeuchi Way embraces the spirit of creation, challenge, and cooperation. To this day, Takeuchi listens to the ideas and opinions of the people who are closest to the end user. Takeuchi has always recognized the power of teamwork, believing there’s virtually no limit to what dedicated people can accomplish together.

Takeuchi offset boom excavator.TakeuchiToday, Takeuchi Manufacturing continues to offer equipment designed to make short work of tough jobs. Takeuchi still believes that when you put your customers’ needs first, sales and profits will follow. He has not only built a solid, quality-driven compact construction equipment company, he has also built a legacy.

Susanne Cobey, CEO, Eagle Crusher

Susanne Cobey, the driving force as CEO of Eagle Crusher.Association of Equipment ManufacturersSusanne Cobey joined Eagle Crusher Company in 1970 as parts manager and quickly advanced through multiple ranks to become president and CEO in 1990.

Eagle Crusher has always been a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty crushing and screening equipment. When significant industry changes in the 1980s impacted Eagle Crusher, Cobey spearheaded the commercial recycling industry in the United States, building the first U.S. commercial recycling plant, Eagle Crusher’s Jumbo 1400, in 1984. Her innovations created a new product line for Eagle Crusher and a new American industry.

Under Cobey’s bold vision, the plant took crushing to a new level with its ability to process high volumes of aggregate, concrete, and RAP. These improvements saved innumerable tons of concrete and asphalt from landfills. A whole line of portable horizontal impactor plants soon followed, creating a boon for the aggregate crushing, the recycled concrete, and the RAP markets.

Eagle Crusher UltraMax 1400-CCS.Eagle Crusher

A female pioneer in a male-dominated industry, Cobey has dedicated herself to helping other women in the industry succeed. She has addressed the topic of women in the industry in numerous videos and news articles and serves as a keynote speaker and role model at many commencement addresses. She hopes that her experience inspires a new generation.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame recognizes the pioneers whose inventions, ideas leadership, and courage have built, fed, and powered our modern world.