Papé Timeline

1900 - 1940

E.C. Papé: Early Life and Foundations of Papé

Henry Papé: A Portland Pioneer Read More

E.C.’s Early Years Read More

Henry Papé: A Portland Pioneer

E.C.’s father, Henry Papé, apprenticed with his father as a blacksmith in Portland before taking on a position at Willamette Iron Works. After his time at Willamette Iron Works, he advanced to Chief Engineer for several well known river steamers operating throughout the Pacific Northwest.

E.C.’s Early Years

After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State College in 1913, E.C. became an apprentice with Willamette Iron and Steel, advancing to Draftsman and, by WWI, Plant Manager. After providing patrol boats and minesweepers to the US Navy during WWI, the company shifted to logging equipment and steam locomotives.

1938: Papé’s Beginnings Read More

Willamette Iron and Steel & the Hyster Merger Read More

1938: Papé’s Beginnings

E.C. Papé acquires Slate Tractor, an Allis Chalmers dealership, and starts his own company on the guiding principle of providing consistent, quality customer service. He names the company Farm and Industrial Equipment Company.

Willamette Iron and Steel & the Hyster Merger

In the mid-1920s, E.C. Papé–by then the President–saw an opportunity for a merger with Ersted Manufacturing (producer of “Hyster” hoists and the forestry equipment from GSCO). The new company named E.C. the Executive VP of Sales. Unfortunately, the timing of the merger couldn’t have been worse. The Great Depression set in soon after the merger, and the new company was reabsorbed into ESCO in order to keep it viable.

1940 - 1950

WWII and Its Impact Read More

Dean and Ed Papé Serve Overseas Read More

WWII and Its Impact

E. C. Papé acquires Slate Tractor, an Allis Chalmers Dealership, and starts his own company on the guiding principle of providing consistent, quality customer service.

Dean and Ed Papé Serve Overseas

Eddie and Dean serve in the European theatre of WWII. Dean serves as 2nd lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers, building bridges to connect key supply routes. Eddie is a Corporal in the infantry landing in Normandy D+3, and earns the Purple Heart. While his sons are serving overseas, E.C. Papé passes away on January 14th, 1945. Dean and Eddie return home in October of that year.

Dean and Ed Papé Read More

The Next Generation Read More

Dean and Ed Papé

E.C. Papé passes away in January of 1945. His wife, Hazel, runs the dealership until her sons, Dean and Ed, return from the European theatre in October 1945. Dean and Ed take over leadership of the operations while Hazel remains an active member of the Board into her 90s.

The Next Generation

While her sons Dean and Eddie are overseas, Hazel Papé runs the dealership. In 1945, Dean and Eddie take over leadership while Hazel remains an active member on the Board into her 90s.

1950 - 1960

1952: Papé Expands in Oregon Read More

1953: Move Toward Industrial Equipment Read More

1952: Papé Expands in Oregon

Dean and his brother, Eddie, expand the dealership to support their customers in Roseburg and Coos Bay, Oregon. They rename the company Papé Bros Inc.

1953: Move Toward Industrial Equipment

In 1953, Allis Chalmers requires their dealers to choose whether they want to represent Allis Chalmers’ agricultural equipment or industrial equipment. Dean and Eddie choose the industrial side.

1955: Business is Booming Read More

1956: Papé Acquires Caterpillar Dealership Read More

1955: Business is Booming

Papé Bros is honored by Allis Chalmers for setting a record dollar volume of new tractor sales in the Pacific Northwest.

1956: Papé Acquires Caterpillar Dealership

Papé shifts its manufacturing relationship from Allis Chalmers to Caterpillar after purchasing a Caterpillar dealership in their established territory.

1960 - 1970

A Changing Industry Read More

1965: Dean and Ed Introduce a New Era Read More

A Changing Industry

As better equipment made timber harvesters more effective, Oregon contractors experience a boom in the demand for work with the construction of I-5 and the Cougar Reservoir.

1965: Dean and Ed Introduce a New Era

Dean and Eddie Papé introduce the era of the rubber-tired skidder to the Northwest Timber Industry during the late 60s..

1970 - 1980

1970: Papé Expands in Eastern Oregon Read More

1970: Papé Expands in Eastern Oregon

Dean Papé purchases Crater Lake Machinery, expanding the Papé dealership East to Redmond, Medford, and Klamath Falls.

Economic Hardship Hits the Country Read More

Economic Hardship Hits the Country

The Vietnam War, which did not end until 1975, leads to inflation and unrest. The 1973-74 Oil Embargo pushes oil prices to record highs, leaving the economy in a tumultuous state. Despite that, Papé pushes forward.

1970s: Papé Designs and Modifies Three Machines for the Logging Industry Read More

The Papé Family Expands Read More

1970s: Papé Designs and Modifies Three Machines for the Logging Industry

In the mid-1970s, Papé modifies a Caterpillar 235 Excavator into the very first Caterpillar Log Loader. In the late 1970s, Papé converts a Caterpillar 988B into the first single-pass CAT Wheel Log Loader. In 1978, Papé modifies a Caterpillar 245 Excavator, capable of forwarding whole trees. This development creates an entirely new method of logging in the Cascades, now known as Shovel Logging.

The Papé Family Expands

Randy Papé, Dean’s son, graduates from the University of Oregon in 1973 and marries Susie Yancey in 1974. They have three children: Ryan, Christian, and Jordan.

1980 - 1990

Economic Stagnation and Recession Read More

Economic Stagnation and Recession

The early 1980s are marked by a massive recession as a result of the Stagflation of the late 1970s. In Oregon, the recession in the early 80s leads to layoffs. Dean passes the reins to Randy, who is determined to diversify the business.

1981: The Third Generation

Randy Papé, Dean’s son, becomes Papé’s President, marking the third generation of Papé operators. Before he became President, Randy held the positions of Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Dean Papé became Chairman, and asks everyone to call him T.O.M., “The Old Man.”

1986: Papé’s Continued Expansion Through Flightcraft

Papé expands its business through the purchase of Flightcraft, a full service FBO and Beechcraft dealer.

1990 - 2000

1990: The Papé Group is Formed Read More

1990: The Papé Group is Formed

The Papé Group is formed as Papé prepares to purchase Hyster dealerships in Oregon and Washington. The company encompasses Papé CAT, Flightcraft (purchased by Papé in 1986), Papé Properties (formed in 1986), and Hyster Sales Company (purchased in 1990).

1990s: Hyster Sales Company is Formed Read More

1998: Papé Wins Award for Highest Market Share Read More

1990s: Hyster Sales Company is Formed

Papé includes Hyster in the company’s offerings, expanding into larger metropolitan areas by acquiring the Hyster forklift dealerships in Oregon and Washington. In 1991, new Hyster dealerships are purchased, covering territory between Northern California and Bakersfield.

1998: Papé Wins Award for Highest Market Share

Papé CAT wins the award for the highest market share in North America.

2000 - 2010

The 2000s marked a period of rapid growth for The Papé Group, including the formation of Papé Machinery and Papé Kenworth, the expansion of the company’s footprint, and Papé’s dedication to providing end-to-end solutions to customers throughout the West.

2000: Ditch Witch Northwest is Formed Read More

2002-03: Papé Machinery is Formed Read More

2000: Ditch Witch Northwest is Formed

Ditch Witch Northwest is formed to meet the continued needs of the directional drilling and trenching market. Later in 2018, the company is renamed to Ditch Witch West.

2002-03: Papé Machinery is Formed

Papé Machinery is formed as Papé acquires the Oregon and Western Washington dealerships for John Deere Construction and Forestry equipment. In 2003, Papé sells its Caterpillar franchise back to Caterpillar.

2005: Papé Machinery Expands Its Service Area Read More

2007: Papé Kenworth is Formed Read More

2005: Papé Machinery Expands Its Service Area

Papé obtains John Deere Construction and Forestry dealerships in Northern California.

2007: Papé Kenworth is Formed

Papé acquires Central California Kenworth and Roberts Motors, combining Oregon and California dealerships into one company, obtaining its first Kenworth dealership and servicing the heavy-haul trucking industry.

2007: Engineered Products, a Papé Company, is Formed Read More

2007: Engineered Products, a Papé Company, is Formed

Engineered Products becomes a Papé company, offering full-service warehouse solutions and optimization alongside our Hyster forklift offerings.

2010 - 2020

2011: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf is Formed Read More

2018: Papé Kenworth Northwest & Papé Kenworth Alaska are Formed Read More

2011: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf is Formed

Papé makes the natural progression to serve farmers and ranchers with the new Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf division, offering John Deere agriculture and turf equipment sales and support.

2018: Papé Kenworth Northwest & Papé Kenworth Alaska are Formed

Papé Kenworth expands its area of coverage and forms Papé Kenworth Northwest and Papé Kenworth Alaska.

2018: Papé Celebrates 80 Years Read More

2018: Papé Celebrates 80 Years

Papé celebrates its 80th anniversary and its enduring commitment to consistent, quality customer service.

2018: Papé Acquires Mid-Pacific Industries Read More

2019: Papé Material Handling Acquires Yale Chase Read More

2018: Papé Acquires Mid-Pacific Industries

Papé Material Handling acquires Mid-Pacific Industries, becoming an Ottawa dealer in Northern and Central California.

2019: Papé Material Handling Acquires Yale Chase

Papé Material Handling adds the assets of Yale Chase Equipment and Services, Inc. to its growing organization, proudly becoming an authorized dealer for Yale products and expanding its footprint in Southern California and Hawaii.

2020: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf Acquires Washington Tractor Read More

2020: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf Acquires Washington Tractor

Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf acquires Washington Tractor, an organization with 12 John Deere Dealerships throughout the state of Washington.

2020 - Today

Today, Papé is more committed than ever to its foundational promise: to serve the West’s industries with consistent, quality customer service. Each new expansion, acquisition, and equipment line is an effort to deliver on that promise for our loyal customers.

2021: Ditch Witch West Acquires Ditch Witch of Arizona in Phoenix and Tucson Read More

2021: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf Acquires Valley Truck & Tractor Read More

2021: Ditch Witch West Acquires Ditch Witch of Arizona in Phoenix and Tucson

With this addition, Ditch Witch West is now in Arizona and Nevada, and the total footprint grows to 11 locations across seven states.

2021: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf Acquires Valley Truck & Tractor

Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf acquires Valley Truck & Tractor, an organization with nine John Deere Dealerships in the Sacramento Valley. Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf’s footprint grows to 44 locations across the West.

Staying True to our Roots Read More

A Different Way to do Business Read More

Staying True to our Roots

Even today, the business is owned by three family members who are all actively engaged in the business. The family travels to the stores to meet with their members, talk about what’s going well, and discover what we can be doing better.

A Different Way to do Business

No other heavy-equipment dealer has a more complete offering of products than Papé. This gives us a unique view into new technologies as they unfold across our different product platforms. It also helps us understand our customers’ needs through deeper relationships. Our desire to grow and create comprehensive solutions for our customers keeps us at the forefront.

Celebrating 85 Years Read More

Celebrating 85 Years

Papé is celebrating its 85th year as the premier capital equipment dealer of the West through a consistent dedication to supporting local communities, employing countless families, and providing customers with the highest caliber of end-to-end solutions and reliable service.