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People Before Iron: Meredith Williams on Legacy, Culture, and Pride at Buckner

Meredith Williams reflects on culture, safety, and family legacy in Crane Hub’s Personal Story of February 2025.

30-Second Takeaway For Meredith Williams , a fourth-generation leader at Buckner , pride in the crane industry comes from people, not machines. From championing safety and work-life balance to strengthening culture, training, and family connection, her story reflects how Buckner’s values continue to shape one of North America’s most respected crane companies. Growing Up with Buckner: A Family and an Industry Working at Buckner  is more than a career for Meredith Williams it is part of her family history. As a fourth-generation member of the Buckner family , she has grown up watching the business evolve while remaining grounded in the values that built it. “We have such an inspiring mix of extremely long-time employees who have been here for 30+ years, combined with new team members who bring innovative ideas. That combination, along with the way we work together and communicate, makes me really proud.” Working alongside her father and grandfather  during her career has added a unique depth to that experience. “Being the 4th generation of my family in the company and working during my career alongside my grandfather and father is something special.” Supporting Employees On the Job and at Home Meredith is candid about the challenges of balancing work and life in the crane industry, but she believes it is an area where Buckner must continuously improve. “Our first focus is always on our team’s safety. The primary objective is that people go home the same or better than when they came to work.” Buckner’s approach extends beyond compliance, placing equal emphasis on technical training, personal development, and family support . “Growth is not just in the technical expertise you have, but also whether you are a supportive and collaborative team member.” Flexibility during difficult personal times, family-inclusive benefits, and ongoing schedule improvements particularly for field crews reflect Buckner’s belief that work should be part of life, not its entirety. Training Well-Rounded Professionals Training at Buckner combines: Annual safety certifications Digital and online learning On-the-job skill development In-person training at the Graham headquarters and satellite yards These technical programs are reinforced with soft-skill training , including communication, time management, and accuracy in documentation. “It’s our belief that the best members of our team are the most well-rounded.” The company prioritises team members who not only build their own expertise but actively help elevate others. Shaping Culture Through Connection Meredith emphasises that culture at Buckner is built collectively. “Nothing I do has been in a vacuum the positive changes we’ve made have been a team effort.” As a soon-to-be mother, she brings a deeply personal perspective to the realities faced by field crews and their families. “I have a unique perspective on how hard the life of our field team can be as they are away from their families and how hard that is on the families.” One initiative that exemplifies Buckner’s commitment to culture is the annual Homecoming event , held over two weeks at the Graham office. “These weeks have become my favorite of the year.” The event blends training with fellowship, reconnecting teams who are typically dispersed across North America. Being a Woman in the Crane Industry Meredith acknowledges the progress the industry has made in recent years regarding women in leadership. “Luckily, I think our industry has really come a long way.” However, challenges remain particularly for women in family-owned businesses. “There is often more pressure on me to show that I have the knowledge to back up my position.” She is especially passionate about increasing female representation beyond traditional office roles. “I would love to see more women in larger crane seats and more women in technician and mechanic roles.” Advocating for Women Through Visibility Meredith believes representation is one of the most powerful tools for change. “The biggest way to encourage more women to join the industry is to hire and empower more women in our own company and industry associations.” At Buckner, women hold key roles across departments, including Operations. Meredith also serves on the Governing Committee of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) , where women play visible leadership roles across staff and committees. “That visibility is important to show other women and young girls that our industry is a great place to grow a career.” Advice for the Next Generation For those just starting out, Meredith’s advice is simple and grounded. “Listen and ask questions.” She stresses that crane work is too complex and too dangerous for ego. “Don’t be scared to say you don’t understand something.” Learning, she says, comes from experienced people and a mindset that never stops asking questions. The Moments That Matter Most While Buckner has achieved major milestones including taking delivery of LR 13000 cranes  and working on landmark infrastructure projects Meredith’s proudest moments are people-focused. “Those moments are at our annual Homecoming event where we honor our employees’ years of service.” Whether recognising five years or more than 25 years with the company, those moments carry deep meaning. “The equipment is always cool and impressive, but without the people it’s really just a lot of iron.” About Buckner Heavy Lift Buckner  is a fourth-generation, family-owned crane, rigging, and logistics company  headquartered in the United States, with a legacy that spans more than seven decades in the lifting industry. Founded on principles of safety, integrity, and long-term relationships , Buckner has grown into one of North America’s most respected providers of heavy lifting and engineered transport solutions. The company operates a diverse, technologically advanced fleet  of mobile cranes, crawler cranes, tower cranes, and specialised lifting equipment, supporting complex projects across energy, infrastructure, industrial construction, commercial development, and manufacturing . Buckner is widely recognised for its ability to execute highly technical lifts while maintaining exceptional safety performance. Beyond equipment, Buckner places a strong emphasis on people and culture . The company invests heavily in training, leadership development, and workforce wellbeing, recognising that operational excellence is driven by skilled, supported, and engaged teams. Long employee tenure, multi-generational careers, and deep institutional knowledge are defining characteristics of the organisation. Buckner remains actively involved in industry leadership through associations such as the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA)  and continues to shape best practices in safety, workforce development, and innovation across the crane and rigging sector. Website:   https://www.bucknercompanies.com

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