SWEDESBORO, N.J. — MMD Equipment last month announced the retirement of president and CEO Ron Johnson. He was succeeded by Bob Wright.

Johnson, 53, is a 28-year veteran of the construction equipment business. He was named president of MMD in 1998 after serving in several other executive positions with the company.

“It is a good time for me to move on and pursue some other interests,” said Johnson. “MMD is enjoying a nice and successful run, with excellent growth, and it is probably time to give someone else a chance to see just how far they can take the company. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead MMD and work with a parent/partner company like Mitsui. It has been a great privilege and learning experience. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Steve Scattolini and the entire team at MMD, as well as the great vendors with which I have worked. They have always been the keys to our success. And, I have nothing but best wishes for MMD, and my successor.

“I think most people would agree that we have done a good job of building and growing MMD. Only a few years ago, MMD derived 60 percent of its revenue from the material handling business. Today, 98 percent of our business is derived from the construction equipment sector. We are very proud of the transition and the progress we have made in such a short time.”

During Johnson's tenure as president, MMD purchased the assets of NAC, another distributor of Japanese-built construction equipment, based in the Chicago area. Johnson also started Parts Power Plus, MMD's successful aftermarket parts division. Other accomplishments include an agreement with Komatsu's Utility Division to market certain compact excavator models to specific segments of the U.S. rental industry. Towable generators up to 150 KVA and Farrow surface-cleaning products were added to MMD's line during Johnson's term as president. MMD also moved to a new facility in 2003.

Johnson, a well-respected and popular figure among equipment manufacturers and a frequent contributor to RER, expects to do some consulting work for MMD to help during the transition, and likely beyond. However, his long-term plans are still unclear.

A native of New Orleans, La., Ron has spent the past 12 years in the Philadelphia area.

Wright brings more than 25 years of managerial leadership within the capital equipment markets of North America. Wright joins MMD from JCB Construction Equipment, Savannah, Ga., where he most recently served as division vice president for compact and utility equipment. He was also vice president of North American sales and distribution during his time with JCB.

Wright also previously served as a senior vice president at Volvo Trucks North America, as a member of the board of directors at Arrow Truck Sales, a Volvo subsidiary, and held a number of management positions at Mack Trucks Inc.

The Bridgeport, N.J.-based MMD announced its appreciation for Johnson's effective leadership of the company during a time of “exceptional growth.”

MMD Equipment is a supplier of construction equipment, including Komatsu utility compact excavators, Airman towable generators, Airman portable compressors, TCM wheel loaders, Sakai compaction equipment, MMD engine-driven and submersible pumps, MMD portable generators, Farrow surface-cleaning equipment, PPP after-market parts and related products.

MMD has been in business since 1975. The company was originally chartered to market forklifts for Toyo Umpanki, Ltd., the manufacturer of TCM forklifts.