Arthur M (Mac) Barrett Jr

Two retired senior luminaries in the US forklift industry - dealership operator William Claudis Portman, 88, and technology innovator Arthur M (Mac) Barrett Jr, 89 - died in August.

Arthur M (Mac) Barrett Jr

Mac Barrett died on 17 August at Westmoreland Nursing Center in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Barrett's father launched a manual pallet truck business in 1914. Barrett continued with that line and broke new ground in creating a generation of electric-powered equipment.

"By the 1940s and 1950s, Barrett was producing its first electric walkie pallet trucks, establishing a reputation for reliable and rugged products," says a tribute from Nissan Forklift Corp North America in Marengo, Illinois.

The business of Barrett Industrial trucks was sold on 22 July, 1988 to Nissan Industrial Equipment Corp, now Nissan Forklift.

The Nissan tribute notes that buying Barrett Industrial put "Nissan on the North American map by making it the first Japanese manufacturer of all five classes of materials handling equipment. The Barrett brand was, and continues to be, extremely well-respected in our industry thanks to the many accomplishments of its founder and family successors, most notably, Arthur M Barrett Jr."

Nissan adds: "Brilliant in electronics and mechanical engineering, Mac was considered ahead of his time by introducing the world to driverless vehicles and radio remote-control equipment. His pioneering efforts resulted in the invention of what's known today as the automatic guided vehicle (AGV). He instilled a strong sense of loyalty among his employees, inspiring creativity that resonated throughout his tenure with the business."

Associates and friends reminisce.

Leon Hineman recalls: "To me, Mac will always be the 'father of the driverless warehouse tractor.' I worked side by side with Mac for over 40 years on many projects, and many times late into the night. I owe so much to Mac. I learned the fine points of electrical, electronics (and) mechanics (and) good business ethics."

Larry Borre notes, "I began my career with Mac in 1959. . . . I was honoured (in 2008) to present Mac with a plaque from the Industrial Truck Association, Washington, DC for his many contributions to the industry."

Paul Ritsch says, "I started working with Mac in 1950, and our working relationship lasted more than 30 years. He was brilliant, innovative and honest, and I enjoy many memories of our years together."

Barrett was born in Evanston, Illinois, received a bachelor of arts degree and lived for many years in Lake Forest.

Survivors include his wife Esther (Itsy) Barrett, daughters Margaret Barrett, Joan Kellogg, Katharine Jacobson, Barbara Schneider and Elizabeth Ganitoupoulous, four stepchildren, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A chapel service was held on 21 August followed by burial at Lake Forest Cemetery.

The Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 8430 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631-3497 is accepting memorial donations.

William Claudis Portman

Bill Portman died on 31 August of natural causes at his home in the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood of Hyde Park. Active to the end, he went to work on 30 August.

In 1960, he became aware of the availability of a franchise for a Clark forklift dealership in Cincinnati. Unable to obtain traditional bank financing, he borrowed money from his wife's uncle and established Portman Equipment Co in rented space in the back of a warehouse.

Growth took time, but the entrepreneurial founder and his organisation built a reputation for honesty, decency, a self-effacing manner and a strong work ethic.

Portman Equipment, which began distributing Caterpillar forklifts in 1994, employed about 300 staff in 2004, when the family sold the business. Portman Equipment had 2003 sales of USD65 million.

Now, the Pon North America (PNA) materials handling group operates the business in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia under the Equipment Depot identity. PNA is a division within the equipment and power systems group of privately held trading company Pon Holdings BV of Nijkerk, the Netherlands.

Portman was born in Cincinnati in 1922 and served with the US Army infantry during World War II. He was discharged as a first lieutenant.

Portman received a bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College in 1946 and a master of business administration degree from Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business Administration in 1947.

He worked as a salesman for several companies in the Cincinnati area and, in his spare time, cultivated passions for hunting, fishing and sports. He moved his family across Ohio to Cleveland for a sales position that provided healthcare coverage and commissions.

An interest in being his own boss, however, led Portman to pursue the forklift dealership and eventually build a highly respected legacy within the materials handling industry.

Among his activities through the years, Portman served as a member of the Cincinnati Business Committee, a member of the small business advisory council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, chairman of the Leadership Cincinnati organization and trustee of the Hamilton County Regional Airport Authority. In addition to Portman Equipment, he served at times as a director of seven companies.

in 1975 Portman was the first small businessman to chair the United Way annual campaign for Greater Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce presented Portman with a "Great Living Cincinnatian" award in 2005.

Among his possessions, Portman owned a replica of a 1917 Ford Model T that was similar to a car he drove in high school, and he flew a twin-engine piston Beechcraft Baron aircraft.

Portman's younger son, Rob, is the Republican nominee against Democrat Lee Fisher in the 2 November election for US senator from Ohio. The winner will succeed incumbent Republican George Voinovich. Rob Portman was a member of the US Congress from 1993-2005 and then held appointed cabinet-level federal positions as US trade representative and director of the office of management and budget.

Other survivors include Portman's older son Wym, daughter Ginna Portman Amis and nine grandchildren. His wife of 41 years, Joan Jones Portman, died in 1994.

A funeral service was held on 4 September at United Methodist Church in Cincinnati.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, PO Box 5200, Cincinnati, OH 45201-5200 is accepting memorial gifts.