01.10.2015

Paylor joins Ahern

Don Ahern, owner of Ahern Rentals, Snorkel and Xtreme Manufacturing has announced a new global senior executive management team which includes ex JLG president Craig Paylor as chief operating officer.

Paylor will join the company this month, based predominantly at the corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, but traveling throughout the USA, Asia and Europe. Paylor, 59, spent almost 30 years with JLG and was president from 2007 until 2010.
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Craig Paylor

The new team, led by Ahern and son Evan, will also include several other senior Ahern group managers and will develop and implement strategies for all Ahern group companies - which now include Ahern Rentals, Xtreme Manufacturing, Snorkel Manufacturing, Ahern IT, Ahern Australia, Ahern Japan, Ahern Deutschland, Ahern Canada, Snorkel China, Diamond A Equipment, Xtreme Financial Services, Equipment Parts Plus, DFA Properties, AX Transportation, Supergrip West tires, and Rhino Turf - in order to promote overall corporate growth.

Ahern said: “The dynamic growth in our product development and our global distribution means that it is now imperative that I form a core team of industry experts to oversee our rapidly growing business, which includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, rentals, and global customer support. The team that I am appointing brings a wealth of industry knowledge and strong business strategy experience to the table, and they will be instrumental in driving our future success.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Craig, who is a long-time friend and industry leader, to join our team. His key role in the development of many industry firsts at JLG will prove invaluable as we tap into his experience in domestic and international distribution, financial modelling, manufacturing and customer support, as well as rental here in the USA.”

“I have known Craig for over 30 years, and in many ways our careers have been parallel to each other. He loves the construction equipment industry and has the ability to see the future developments and emerging trends that will be necessary to our success.”

Paylor added: “I am honoured and excited to be joining Ahern. Don and Evan have built a strong team of dedicated employees who have helped the company become a global player in manufacturing, distribution and engineering, and a leading rental business in the USA. My hope is that I can use my past experience to contribute to this great team.”

Vertikal Comment

Well this is an interesting and unexpected development, Paylor and Ahern certainly go back a long way and Paylor certainly knows his way around the lift and telehandler industry. He can, without doubt, play a strong role within the group, and as a trusted and financially independent individual be a good balance/foil to Don Ahern, who has built the business up though his shear hard work, determination, hands on approach and personal charisma.

As the company has grown and become more complex this management style becomes increasingly challenging. Ahern’s travel schedule since he acquired Snorkel will attest to that. Paylor can certainly take on some of that burden. The business could also benefit in terms of helping prepare it for succession and long term future growth.