The materials handling industry is mourning the loss of two of its well-known leading lights, Peter Voss from Voss Equipment and William Harbour, a workhorse of the sector for more than three decades.

Peter Voss, chairman and chief executive officer of Illinois-headquartered Voss Equipment, worked in the materials handling sector for more than six decades.

In 1961 he joined Voss Equipment, which was founded by his father in 1934, and was named president in 1980.

Voss also served on the MHEDA board of directors between 1978 and 1981.

“Pete Voss Jr represented the values this company was built on — hard work, relationships, accountability, and taking care of both customers and employees,” says Joe Wright, vice president of operations at Voss Equipment. 

“His leadership helped shape not only Voss Equipment, but many of the people who had the opportunity to work alongside him over the years. His impact on this company and this industry will not be forgotten.”

Voss Equipment is a fourth-generation, family-owned business.

The materials handling sector is also mourning the loss of William Harbour.

Harbour was a capital equipment salesman and later the Georgia Division sales manager for Wrenn Handling/Barloworld Material Handling for 18 years, before moving to Toyota Forklifts of Atlanta where he was the rental and used equipment manager for 17 years, retiring in 2018. 

Harbour was 79 years old when he died, surrounded by family.

“Preston was a really great guy and was extremely well respected in the material handling industry,” former colleague Randy Mincey tells Forkliftaction News. “He had many friends and acquaintances in the forklift industry.”