The newest member of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame, Sherman Ward "Bud" Bushnell, used his knowledge and skills to raise many industries to new heights - literally. The founder of Genie is the latest equipment pioneer to be recognized for contributions to construction and agriculture worldwide.
Bushnell, who passed away at the age of 99 in November 2020, was behind Genie Industries, today the Genie brand of Terex Corporation. Genie pioneered many mobile elevating work platform concepts, allowing people to work safely and productively at height.
"Bud Bushnell is a tremendous addition to the AEM Hall of Fame," said AEM President Megan Tanel. "His combination of innovation, professional dedication to safety, and personal dedication to the team he built at Genie, are exactly what the AEM Hall of Fame is meant to celebrate."
Inventions ensured people could work at height safely
An inventor and craftsman all his life, Bud launched the company in 1966 in a small warehouse in downtown Seattle. His first lift operated on compressed air, and customers referred to the hissing noise it made as "Genie magic in a bottle," leading to the company name.
Through his inventions, Bud didn't just make work at height more efficient, he helped make it safer. Helping people work safely at height is still the most important thing Genie and its equipment do today.
"I am proud and humbled to be able to accept this honour on behalf of Bud and the Bushnell Family," said Genie President Simon Meester. "Leading by example, putting the customer first and focusing on the team to make it happen made us the company we are over the last 55 years. We have a lot of exciting products coming our way in the next ten years, and Bud's spirit is in all of them."
More than 65 industry leaders have been inducted into the AEM Hall of Fame since its inception in 1993. Nominations for the AEM Hall of Fame are open year-round. An independent panel of industry experts evaluates potential inductees, and honourees are publicly announced yearly and celebrated at AEM's Annual Conference.
