Our Company Our Legacy
At Papé, Our Roots Reach Back to 1938
When our founder, E.C. Papé, acquired his first capital equipment dealership in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. E.C Papé’s reputation for customer service and dependability spread, and the family-owned business began to grow and prosper.
Who We Are Four Generations for Over 85 Years
Founded in 1938 by E.C. Papé in Oregon's Willamette Valley, Papé has grown from a single equipment dealership into a family-owned company known for service, dependability, and long-term partnerships.
Today, Papé is a leading equipment and service provider across the West, delivering end-to-end solutions that help customers maximize uptime and get everything they need in one place to grow their operations.
A Legacy Built Over Generations Papé Company Timeline
E.C. Papé: Early Life & Foundations of Papé
Papé's legacy began in Oregon's Willamette Valley in 1938, when our founder, E.C. Papé, arrived in Oregon to work alongside his friend at an Allis-Chalmers equipment dealership. Soon after, E.C. purchased his first company and word began to spread. The rest is history.
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.
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.
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.
WWII and its Impact
The United States enters WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Lumber companies and mills began a hiring spree across Oregon to provide timber for the war effort.
Ed and Dean Papé
E.C. and Hazel have two sons, Ed "Eddie" Jr. and Dean. Eddie works with E.C. at the dealership, eventually becoming responsible for Parts. Dean attends Oregon State University.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 1-5 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: Papé Expands in Eastern Oregon
Dean Papé purchases Crater Lake Machinery, expanding the Papé dealership East to Redmond, Medford, and Klamath Falls.
1973–1974: 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.
Mid 1970's 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.
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: 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).
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.
Papé Wins Award for Highest Market Share
Papé CAT wins the award for the highest market share in North America.
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.
2002-2003: Papé Machinery is Formed
Pape 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
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
Engineered Products becomes a Papé company, offering full- service warehouse solutions and optimization alongside our Hyster forklift offerings.
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
Papé celebrates its 80th anniversary and its enduring commitment to consistent, quality customer service.
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
Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf acquires Washington Tractor, an organization with 12 John Deere Dealerships throughout the state of Washington.
2021: Ditch Witch West Acquires Ditch Witch Of Arizona
Ditch Witch West acquires the dealerships in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona, 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.
2022: Papé Kenworth Acquires Norcal Kenworth
Papé Kenworth expands into Northern CA and the Bay Area. Adding four new locations, growing their total number of locations to 30.
2023: Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf Acquires Renner Equipment Co.
Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf continues its expansion across the West with the acquisition of Renner Equipment Company, adding two new locations in Yerington and Fallon, Nevada.
2023: Papé Material Handling Acquires Globe Bay Area Forklift
Papé Material Handling expands into the San Francisco market, adding one new location in CA for a total of 39 locations across the West.
2024: Papé Material Handling Acquires Fsi Equipment
Papé Material Handling acquires FSI equipment, the Yale forklift dealer in Fresno and Bakersfield, CA bringing the total locations to 40.
Always Within Reach Located Throughout the West
With more than 160 locations across the Western U.S., Papé provides knowledgeable, around-the-clock support wherever your operation takes you.