March 2016
CED
Construction Equipment Distribution Published by AED: Business Fuel for a More Profitable Dealership
Dick Cheney America’s most influential vice president to speak at AED’s 2017 Summit & CONDEX n Conservative Business Sense
Charlie Walsh discusses his family business
n A Closer Look
The importance of business simulations
n Four Generations
Ransome CAT celebrates its 100th anniversary
Walsh Equipment Flourishes With
Conservative Business Sense Charlie Walsh discusses growing up in a family business celebrating its 84th year.
C By Dayna Maeder
Charlie Walsh understands the value of dedication. From his early teens, Walsh worked for his family business, Walsh Equipment, like his father and grandfather before him. However, Walsh didn’t always have his sights set on the construction business. “We all thought Charlie was going to become an attorney until his third year in law school,” his father, Mike Walsh, said. It was during law school that Walsh realized he wanted to learn more about his family business and a course to continue the legacy. In 2006, Walsh joined his family’s business on the heels of the U.S. recession, notably a difficult time during a downturn of the construction business. This only drove Walsh toward success, as he credits those tough times for invaluable lessons that molded him as a business leader. “It makes you more appreciative and you learn to be more conservative,” Walsh said. “It might affect sales, but if you know your employees and your customers, you can survive.” Walsh worked his way through every aspect of the business, from parts and service to sales and manufacturing, and realized the key to his success is knowing his customers, employees and the manufacturers. He quickly grew the business from primarily serving municipalities to expanding into community construction. As a business leader in the construction industry, Walsh, 34, is a member of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED). He credits the organization with providing him opportunities to network with other dealerships and share industry solutions. When Walsh Equipment was founded by Philip Walsh in 1932, it focused on the corrugated metal pipe industry. After World War II, its product line increased to include solutions for municipal, construction, highway, agricultural and paving needs. In 1947, the company relocated to Butler, Pa. In the 1960s, road signs, tractor loader backhoes and snow removal equipment were introduced into Walsh Equipment’s
From left, Matthew Taylor, of JCB; Mike Walsh, of Walsh Equipment; Lord Anthony Bamford, of JCB; Walsh Equipment President Charlie Walsh; and John Patterson, of JCB, gather at Walsh Equipment’s Headquarters in Prospect, Pennsylvania.
product line, and its sales team began operating throughout western Pennsylvania. Walsh Equipment continued to expand into the 1970s, and Mike Walsh joined the ranks in 1976. The company moved to Prospect, Pa. for additional space to serve the growing customer base. In the 1980s, the company added more products, and serviced contractors as well as its conventional municipal customers. As the needs of its customers increased, Walsh Equipment became a JCB dealer and added its construction product line, including equipment such as tandem drum rollers, construction backhoes, compactors and skid steers. In 2009, Walsh added J&J Dump Bodies and Trailers to its array of product lines, furthering its tradition of product development and innovation. In 2013, Walsh Equipment opened a new store in Ebensburg, Pa. and introduced its services to customers in central Pennsylvania. Today, under Walsh’s leadership, the company remains committed to the same principles its employees have practiced for
18 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | March 2016
decades: honesty and reliability. Walsh works alongside his father, who describes their partnership as priceless. “We get along really good; we’ve had a lot of fun,” Mike Walsh said. “It’s so nice to see someone that age passionate about what they do.” Walsh Equipment provides construction and heavy equipment to municipalities, industries and contractor markets in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the company, visit www.walshequipmentinc.com, call 888-806-0643 or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
CED
Construction Equipment Distribution Published by AED: Business Fuel for a More Profitable Dealership
Construction Equipment Distribution (CED) is published by AED, whose membership is primarily comprised of leading equipment dealerships and rental companies in the U.S. and Canada.
• Industry News • Data Trends & Statistics • Regional Reports • Professional Development
Get your subscription today by visiting bit.ly/cedsubscribe