Barnhart Crane and Rigging Co. announced today that David Webster has been named as president of the company, replacing Alan Banhart, who held the role of president and CEO for more than 38 years. According to the company’s Board of Directors, Webster’s promotion to president is effective immediately. Barnhart will stay on as CEO through most of the rest of 2025 and will continue to serve as chairman of the board thereafter.
Webster joined the company in October 2014, as a branch manager and has served in a variety of roles including most recently as Barnhart’s chief operating officer .
“For nearly four decades, it has been my privilege to lead the company my parents launched from a spare bedroom in their home more than 55 years ago,” Barnhart said. “In that time, Barnhart has grown from what literally was a ‘mom and pop’ startup to become an international industry leader with more than 70 locations across North America. We often refer to ourselves as ‘a hundred-year company,’ and with David at the reins, I have every confidence that we will achieve that vision and more.”
“I am deeply honored to follow in Alan Barnhart’s footsteps,” Webster said. “He and Eric Barnhart have done a tremendous job in building upon their parents’ legacy to make the company what it is today — a company that is successful both in business and in purpose. Alan has led the company by example, investing in our people and giving us every opportunity to succeed.”
Barnhart Executive Vice President Jeff Latture said, “The timing of this change has been very intentional. In selecting his successor, Alan Barnhart took into consideration how best to steward the company beyond the current generation of leadership in order to position it for the future. David takes over at a time when the company is very healthy and experiencing substantial growth. And, as chairman of the board, you can rest assured that Alan will remain involved in the strategic direction of the company.”
Launched by Dick and Nancy Barnhart in 1969 as Barnhart Construction Company, Barnhart’s “corporate headquarters” consisted of two bedrooms in the couple’s Memphis home. While they soon hired employees, Dick and Nancy made the company a family affair from the beginning, and by the time their sons Alan and Eric were in their mid-20s, they had taken on significant responsibilities in running the company.
Today, Barnhart is both an industry leader and a top member of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association. A member of the trade association for 40 years, Barnhart has earned more SC&RA “Job of the Year” awards than any other company.Barnhart Crane & Rigging is a leading provider of heavy lifting, rigging, and specialized transportation solutions across the U.S. and Western Canada. With more than 70 branches in North America, Barnhart combines cutting-edge engineering, an extensive fleet of lifting equipment, and an innovative approach to solving complex industrial challenges. From operated crane rentals to engineered solutions for critical equipment replacements, Barnhart serves industries including refining, power generation, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Backed by one of the industry’s largest inventories of specialized lifting tools and a dedicated team of problem-solvers, Barnhart is committed to delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective solutions that minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency. Learn more at www.barnhartcrane.com.
Source: Barnhart
