Don Landoll, chairman of Landoll Corp., has been elected as one of two inductees into the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) Hall of Fame for 2011. Elton Long, vice president Construction Equipment Engineering Worldwide, Case Construction Equipment, was also selected for the honor.

Landoll was born an inventor and has designed and manufactured innovative machinery. In 1963, he opened a welding, blacksmith, and radiator repair shop. In 1967, the production of agricultural products with the Landoll brand began.

By 1970, Landoll had designed and patented a unique, innovative trailer that eventually changed the way many transport companies conducted their business. This trailer was capable of ground loading and off-loading equipment, and was known as the traveling axle.

Under Landoll’s leadership, the company continues to improve and expand its product lines. Landoll offers products for many segments — agriculture, construction, towing, forklift and military.
Landoll is the largest employer in its community, and Don Landoll and his employees have a culture of service, participating in many charitable organizations. Landoll actively supports industry and business interests to help ensure the strength of manufacturing in his state.

Landoll’s company follows as many sustainable practices as possible — it uses state-of-the-art powder paint systems, and participates in programs to recycle oil, mercury such as in light bulbs, and batteries, for their lead. The company is active in waste and storm water programs and electricity conservation, and it has a paperless invoicing system.

In 2007 Landoll Corp. was among five companies receiving a Regional Governor's Award of Excellence from the State of Kansas. Landoll has also received the U.S. Department of Defense’s highest award presented to civilian contractors, the Pro Patria, for his support of the National Guard and Reserves.

The AEM Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors the accomplishments of those who have led the off-road equipment industry and contributed to its growth.

Since 1993, the Hall has recognized industry leaders, inventors and visionaries as one way to highlight the contributions of the off-road equipment industry, specifically its people, to economic prosperity and quality of life. Inductees are examples to the leaders of tomorrow, who will build on their successes and continue their legacy of service.

Companies or individuals can submit nominations, and a panel of industry judges evaluates the submissions on the basis of five guiding principles: Innovation, Industry Contributions, Leadership, Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility, and Sustainability. Since its inception in 1993, more than 35 industry leaders have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. For more information go online to www.aemHallofFame.com.