Landmark Equipment is a Portland-based company built on a foundation of expertise and a commitment to serving the local community. Our story began in 1984 with Earl Rund, who leveraged his years managing the parts department at Pettibone in Tualatin to launch a venture specializing in used Pettibone parts.
Driven by Earl's deep understanding of the equipment and a growing demand for new and used machines, Landmark Equipment expanded its offerings. Don Kozera, another Pettibone veteran with service department expertise and a keen business sense, joined Earl as one of the original founders. Together, they opened their first shop on North Columbia Blvd., establishing themselves as an authorized Pettibone dealer.
For years, Earl and Don operated with a dedicated but lean team, focusing on parts and service. They meticulously built their reputation, hiring key personnel like service manager Bob Maben, field mechanic Decker Helland, shop mechanic John Gunderson (who remains with the company today!), and bookkeeper Cindy Dehaan. As the business flourished, they relocated to a larger facility on N Lombard and further expanded their services with the addition of Rick Nivens in 1993.
Landmark Equipment continued to evolve, strategically adding product lines like Komatsu forklifts, Yanmar excavators, and Waldon articulated mini loaders to cater to diverse customer needs. In 1994, they achieved a significant milestone – moving into their dream facility, a historic building on NE Killingsworth. This larger space enabled them to grow the team to 22 employees and solidify their presence in Portland.
Unfortunately, their tenure at the historic landmark ended in 2006 when the city required the property for development. Resilient and ever-focused on customer service, Don and Earl relocated to the company's current location on NE Lombard. That same year, the company suffered a significant loss with Don's passing. However, the spirit of innovation and dedication lived on. Long-time employees stepped up, ensuring a smooth continuation of operations.
In 2018, John Gunderson and Rick Nivens, who had dedicated years to Landmark Equipment, purchased the company from Earl. We were deeply saddened to lose our founder and longtime friend Earl Rund in 2022. His legacy of expertise and commitment to customer service continues to be the foundation of our company.
Recognizing the industry's evolving needs, they strategically expanded the product range to include aerial equipment from leading brands like JLG, Genie, and Skyjack. Most recently, in 2022, they incorporated Noblelift into their portfolio, venturing into the exciting electric equipment segment.
Today, John and Rick, with their combined experience exceeding 60 years at Landmark Equipment, lead the company with a vision for the future. They are passionate about providing exceptional equipment sales, parts, service, and rentals to the Portland community.
Landmark Equipment: Built on Expertise. Driven by Passion. Committed to Serving You.
