Maroc - TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - 19/Jun 00:20

TimberPro president steps down

After 13 years as president of TimberPro, Lee Crawford has announced his retirement. This draws to a close Crawford’s nearly 40 years in the forestry machinery business, during which he consistently exemplified entrepreneurial spirit and a caring attitude. Source; Timberbiz Pat Crawford, Lee’s father, was a third-generation logger whose company – Shawano, Wisconsin-based Timbco – had become known for its popular line of levelling machines. But Mr Crawford never planned on entering the forestry industry, becoming an engineer at the Oshkosh Truck Company in 1982. In 1985, however, Mr Crawford’s father asked him to join the family business at Timbco, where he started on the assembly line. “It gives you credibility with your people,” Lee said. “And you learn the products. You learn what needs to be changed.” After his assembly line shifts ended, Lee kept working, ordering parts and writing warranties. He eventually become Vice President in 1992. In 2000, Timbco was sold to Partek, a Komatsu-owned company. The Crawfords bought back the wheeled division from Partek in 2002 to form TimberPro, which later became recognized for its innovative track machine products. TimberPro was acquired by Komatsu in 2019. In retirement, Lee plans to stay involved in charitable work with the Ruth and Pat Crawford Foundation, which has donated millions over the years to community organizations and food pantries. While the TimberPro family is sad to see Lee go, the legacy of the Crawford’s ingenuity and generosity will continue with Komatsu at the helm. “By taking Komatsu’s strengths and combining it with TimberPro’s, we can be a leading supplier. We’re really excited about the future,” said Doug Morris, Vice President, Forest Machine Business Division at Komatsu. Mr Crawford feels safe leaving his companies in Komatsu’s hands. “Komatsu wants TimberPro to grow. Komatsu has the means and ambition to plan and grow our offerings over time,” he says. “My family was comfortable. Komatsu has the drive to get bigger and bigger and bigger. It’s going to be exciting.”