US portable material lift manufacturer LiftSmart, is celebrating 15 years in business with a giveaway and a preview of upcoming products at this year’s ARA Show in Orlando at the start of March.
The company began in garage in California where Genie and MEC veteran Steve Citron and his father-in-law, Ron Bundy, hand built a prototype, the 18.7ft MLC-18. The company then made its debut at the 2011 ARA show in Las Vegas, selling around 60 machines.
Steve Citron demonstrates his new machine at the 2011 ARA show
Steve Citron said, “After that first show, we believed our new company could be something special. We were exhausted but so grateful for all of the support we received from the rental industry and our new customers.”
The MLC-18
LiftSmart then expanded its product line to include the 13.3ft (four metre) MLC-12, 24.4ft (7.4 metre) MLC-24, the MLI Industrial Pro Series consisting of eight models ranging from five to 25ft (1.5 to 7.6 metres), and the MLM Mini Pro Series which consists of three models ranging from 12 to 20ft (3.3 to 6.1 metres). It quickly outgrew the garage, opened two manufacturing facilities and in 2014, the company expanded into international markets.
The MLM Mini-Pro series designed with Europe in mind
All LiftSmart products are manufactured in the US, with components sourced from domestic suppliers such as Colson Caster Company of Ohio and Dutton-Lainson in Nebraska. The company says that the domestic supply chain allowed it to maintain production and delivery schedules during recent global supply disruptions.
The Citron family from left: Kristi, Matthew, Steve and Joshua Citron
To mark its anniversary, LiftSmart will give away a 15.8ft (4.8m) MLI-15 material lift at this year’s ARA Show. All rental company attendees are eligible to enter the draw at the company’s booth, with the winner to be announced during the event. The company will also preview new products, with details to be released at the show.
The MLI-15
Citron added: “The giveaway of our MLI-15 is a small thank you to the many ARA member companies who have supported our journey since it began at The ARA Show in 2011. Without the support of this association and its members, we would not be where we are today.”
Comments