28.09.2021

Maxim Crane departures

Bryan Carlisle and Frank Bardonaro, the chief executive and chief operating officer of Maxim Crane Works, are leaving the company.

They tendered their resignations at the start of last week, but while we were tipped off, an official press release has yet to be released. In the past few days a letter from Carlisle has been sent to employees. Both parties have said that their departure was amicable, Carlisle's decision came a couple of days after Bardonaro informed him of his decision. He is set to leave within the next few weeks, while remaining as an investor with a seat on the board.

His letter said: “Maxim’s future is bright, and the best is still ahead, but it is also the right time to transition to the next generation of leaders.”
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Bryan Carlisle

Carlisle joined Maxim in 1999 when his family company Carlisle Cranes became a key building block for Maxim. He has worked in the crane business for more than 40 years and was appointed Maxim chief executive in 2014. It is understood that he will most likely retire while helping with any transition.

Bardonaro began his career helping launch USA Today, and joined Maxim in 1988 remaining with the company until 2001, and becoming operations manager along the way. He left Maxim for AmQuip where he was appointed president, and then chief executive, resigning in August 2010 - see: Bardonaro steps down at Amquip. He joined Terex the following month as vice president and managing director of Terex Cranes in the Americas. The following year he was promoted to head of global sales at Terex, only to leave in 2012 in order to return to Maxim Crane.
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Frank Bardonaro

He has also said that he is departing on good terms with the company and will retain his investment in the Maxim business. He has a different motive, having helped bring the company through a few challenging years, he feels it is the right time to look for a new and different challenge but has not yet thought what that might be. He is currently 'available for work’ but not rushing into anything after a life in cranes without a single career break. He said: "The company is in good hands with a succession plan in place. He will keep in touch to provide any support necessary as well as protecting his investment."

We will update this item if and when the company issues a formal announcement.