The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has inducted Jim Gorman of The Gorman-Rupp Co. and Dr. Hans Liebherr of Liebherr Co. into the AEM Hall of Fame.

The AEM Hall of Fame seeks to create a wider public understanding and appreciation of the industry’s role — not only in the past but for the future — in global economic and social prosperity. The achievements and significant contributions of inductees also serve as an inspiration for future industry leaders.

Candidates are judged by an independent panel of industry experts and supporters on how well they exemplify five guiding principles: innovation, industry contributions, leadership, corporate citizenship/social responsibility, and sustainability.

“We are pleased to recognize these individuals whose vision and leadership have contributed greatly to the growth and strength of our industry and of our quality of life,” AEM President Dennis Slater said in a prepared statement from AEM.

Since its inception in 1993, more than 35 industry leaders have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. For more information, go online to www.aemHallofFame.com.

Summaries about the two 2010 inductees follow:

Jim Gorman of The Gorman-Rupp Co.

Gorman’s achievements include many roles that stretch across seven decades. His father co-founded the company, and he was on the road at age 15 promoting Gorman-Rupp products. Even today, as Chairman of the Board, he’s one of the first at work each morning. Jim’s mantra is, “If we don’t take care of the customer, someone else will.” His foresight to invest early in CAD/CAM design software helped his company lead the industry in construction pumps and water pollution control equipment.

Innovations include creating the first commercially available self-priming, solids-handling trash pump. And thanks to his foresight, Gorman-Rupp became the first American manufacturer to offer a wide line of submersible pumps to meet the demanding conditions of mining environments.