A small group of construction equipment distributors in northern Illinois met in 1955 and formed a new nonprofit association. The organization’s name was Illinois Construction Equipment Distributors Association, and its address was 111 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL. Dick Ekstrand was active in the industry at that time and was the organization’s first Executive Secretary. He also served as Executive Secretary for the Mobile Crane Owners Association at about the same time.

Records indicate that in 1960 the address was changed to McAllister Equipment Company’s: 12500 South Cicero Avenue, Alsip, IL. In 1968 the addressed changed again to 125 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 625, Chicago, IL. This office was located in the Illinois Athletic Club facility. At that time members included these ten companies:

Although many of the member companies were also members of the national dealer organization Associated Equipment Distributors, the state organization maintained independence from AED.

In 1966 Bill Howard of Construction Digest became the new Executive Secretary, and he held the office until 1974 when Bill Spaniol, also of Construction Digest, assumed the duties of this position. Shortly after this transition, the organization changed its name to Illinois Equipment Distributors, and the organization’s new logo was designed and introduced under Spaniol’s guidance.

Hugh Golding of E TIP Inc. succeeded Spaniol in 1983, and the organization’s address became 29 South Iowa Avenue, Addison, IL.

By 1994 there were 40 organizations that were members of IED.

Today, the number of organizations has decreased slightly to 36, primarily because of the consolidation that has occurred in the industry. Construction Equipment Guide published an article about IED’s 70th anniversary, Illinois Equipment Distributors Celebrates 70 Years as Eyes, Ears of Construction Equipment Dealers Industry, that provides details about the changes in membership. Read it here.

If you’d like to join IED, please submit our membership form here.