In mid-March 2025, USA-based heavy transport engineering specialist Barnhart Crane and Rigging confirmed the appointment of David Webster as president, succeeding Alan Barnhart, who has held the role of president and ceo for more than 38 years.
“For nearly four decades, it has been my privilege to lead the company my parents launched from a spare bedroom more than 55 years ago,” said Alan Barnhart. “Barnhart has grown from a ‘mom and pop’ startup into an international industry leader with over 70 locations across North America. We often refer to ourselves as a ‘hundred-year company,’ and with David at the reins, I’m confident we’ll achieve that vision and more.” Alan Barnhart is staying on as ceo through most of 2025 and will continue to serve as chairman of the board thereafter.
Speaking to HLPFI about the leadership transition, Webster emphasised continuity. “Our goal is to remain loyal to the company’s values as we put the next generation of leadership into place during the next decade.”
He added: “All of our actions are informed by our foundational documents, our purpose statement, our mission statement, and our core values. If we remain true to them, then Barnhart will continue to be a Godly organisation that aspires to be the very best company in our industry; a company committed to operating in a safe, honest and fair manner; and a company that is dedicated to continuous improvement through a combination of innovative and excellent service.”
Webster described the leadership transition as one made from a position of strength, providing opportunities for talent mobility across the company. “We will continue our proven strategy and model with an eye to being a 100-year company and beyond,” said Webster.
Barnhart’s recent growth has been significant. In 2024, it increased its footprint and fleet with deals for Mountain States Crane of Albuquerque (New Mexico), CR Holland Crane Service of Forest City (Iowa), Baxter Crane and Rigging (Mississippi), South Carolina-based White Crane, and Canada’s NCSG. April 2025 saw the firm snap up the assets and operations of two branches belonging to Crane Service, which is owned by ML Holdings, in Texas and New Mexico.
“We are very satisfied with our current geographic area of the USA and Western Canada. Last year saw extraordinary growth for the company with numerous acquisitions, including our largest to date, NCSG in Canada, which also marked our first foray into the international market,” Webster explained.
Going forwards, the company will continue to seek “healthy growth” through existing branches, grassroots locations and acquisition, “adding branches where the market is underserved or where we do not currently have a significant presence”. He also positioned Barnhart as an ideal partner for privately held firms considering a sale: “We offer a path where their people can thrive and build on the owner’s legacy.”
Despite growth, challenges remain – chief among them, talent acquisition in the skilled trades. “We have a strong training and development programme for all employees with a focus on field leadership as well as entry level craft” and “we are always striving for new techniques and tools to serve our existing customers”.
