Lift Systems, Inc., headquartered in East Moline, Illinois, is a world leader for hydraulic gantry systems, mobile pick and carry machines, crawler mounted transporters, custom cylinders, and many other types of specialized equipment for the rigging industry among others. Recently, the Quad City Times featured an article on the company, citing high-profile projects such as participation in the move of the space shuttle Atlantis, and securing/lifting the Liberty Bell, to name a few. Lift Systems VP of Sales & Marketing, Brian Wagner, noted that the company has sold equipment in more than 49 countries across the globe in six continents.
From the article featured, “the company’s roots go back to 1980, when Riggers Manufacturing Co. was formed with Gary Lorenz as a founding partner. Three years later, he sold his interest and created Lift Systems, headquartered in Davenport. In 1984, Lift Systems moved from Davenport to a larger facility in Moline.
In 1987, Lift Systems introduced its MobiLift and TwinLift product lines of industrial hoist trucks designed to pick and carry heavy loads. The first machines ranged from 30-ton to 50-ton capacities. Today, the Mobilift and Twinlift product lines range from 33-ton to 110-ton capacities.
Lift Systems expanded its hydraulic gantry product line to range from 20 to 1000 ton capacities. It was in 1992 that it manufactured its first Power Tower boom-style hydraulic gantry with cylinders inside and outside the boom structure. The design was patented by Lift Systems. Two years later, the company purchased the assets of Badger Hydraulics of Mukwonago, Wis., a hydraulic cylinder manufacturer. A new division was formed as Mobile Cylinders Inc. to manufacturer hydraulic cylinders for Lift Systems and other companies.
Lift Systems entered the nuclear waste cask transporter business in 1997 with the design and sale of the first cask transporter to Virginia Electric Power Co. Later that year, Mobile Cylinders relocated to East Moline and became part of Lift Systems. That facility is used by Lift Systems for the bulk of its manufacturing activities.
In 2002, there was a joint venture of Rigging Gear Sales Inc., an independent Lift Systems representative, and Lift Systems, which purchased the assets of Riggers Manufacturing. Riggers continues to produce the EZLifter and TriLifter product lines as a separate entity.
In 2005, Lift Systems was sold by Lorenz to an investor group made up of Bruce Forster, Ron Hall and Glenn Blair. Forster became company president.”
To read the entire article, click HERE.