The evolution of a
global foundation
equipment distributor
COVER STORY
By Brian M. Fraley, Fraley Construction Marketing
Equipment Corporation of America (ECA), a promi-nent
distributor of specialty foundation construc-tion
equipment, will celebrate 100 years as a third-generation
family-owned business in March 2018.
During that time, it has morphed from a small purveyor
of World War I surplus equipment to a large international
dealer for the most advanced foundation equipment in the
world. The ECA story is one of weathering poor economic
conditions, adapting to changing trends, acquiring the best
in foundation equipment, treating customers with respect
and giving employees the freedom to excel within a flat orga-nizational
structure.
The early days
ECA was formed in 1918, through the consolidation of
three Chicago-based companies that had come together
to remanufacture post-World War I surplus equipment.
They assembled a fleet of construction, material handling
and industrial equipment under the identity of Equipment
Corporation of America.
Len Kern was hired as a secretary in the typing pool at the
Pittsburgh, Pa., location in 1921. As he climbed through the
PHOTOS: EQUIPMENT CORPORATION OF AMERICA
PILING CANADA 43