Palfinger USA History

Experience

Palfinger USA has more than four decades of leadership in the knuckle boom crane/truck equipment industry. Palfinger USA is known for developing innovative solutions to customers' material handling problems. Palfinger USA works with its customers to provide equipment ideally suited for the job from project inception to delivery and beyond. Customers range from owner-operators with one truck to fleets with hundreds of trucks in the field.

Each Palfinger USA location meets the NTEA (The Association for the Work Truck Industry) Member Verification Program requirements, recognizing that we maintain the highest industry standards for excellence, safety, and quality. In addition, Palfinger USA employs individuals who have become accredited by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) as Practical Examiners for Articulating Crane Operators.

Palfinger USA began selling and installing articulating loader cranes in 1985 as Tiffin Loader Crane, later known as PalFleet Truck Equipment. Articulating cranes, also known as knuckle boom cranes, were widely used in Europe, where the technology was developed but were relatively unknown in North America. Palfinger USA helped pioneer the new technology by showing customers how to work safer and more productively with knuckle boom cranes.

The company began adapting articulating crane technology to new applications as it grew. For example, rolling base cranes helped transportation companies become more productive by maximizing payload and minimizing loading and unloading time. In addition, unique pole handling cranes allowed companies that distribute utility poles to operate more efficiently.

Locations

Palfinger USA has locations in several major markets in the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast to be close to our customers. As a result, we can fill large fleet orders and offer specialized sales and service at each location targeted to the local market's needs.

Ownership

Palfinger USA is part of the PALFINGER North America Group, a leading North American manufacturer of cranes, truck bodies, mechanics trucks, truck-mounted forklifts, hoists, lift gates, roll-offs, hook loaders and aerial devices. Established in 1932, PALFINGER has been among the leading international manufacturers of hydraulic lifting, loading and handling systems for commercial vehicles for many years.

As a multinational company group with its headquarters in Salzburg, Austria, PALFINGER has manufacturing and assembly sites in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Innovation, internationalization and greater flexibility form the strategic pillars of the corporate strategy. In line with this strategy, PALFINGER today stands for innovative lifting, loading and handling solutions at the interfaces of the transport chain.

Relationships

Palfinger USA works closely with OEM chassis manufacturers to assure that the solutions we provide are fully integrated with the right chassis to maximize the safety and productivity of the complete package. In addition, we work closely with vocational truck dealers to develop specialized solutions for their customers. Finally, strong relationships with significant fleet management companies allow us to provide work truck solutions that meet national and regional fleets' unique needs in various end-use applications. From single truck operators to large fleets, end-users keep returning to Palfinger USA because our solutions keep them on the job and out of the shop.

 

Company History

Three truck equipment companies that emerged in the 1970s eventually came together as PalFleet, today's leader in work truck solutions.

The 1970s

Fontaine Truck Equipment Company, a Birmingham, AL manufacturer of truck trailers and fifth wheel products, begins building a network of specialized sales and distribution branches in major markets in the Southeast and Midwest.

Omaha Standard Truck Equipment Company opens as a factory-owned sales and distribution center near Omaha Standard's body manufacturing facility in Council Bluffs, IA.

Tiffin Loader Crane begins selling and distributing truck-mounted articulating cranes for specialized material handling applications in Tiffin, OH.

The 1980s

The Marmon Group acquired Fontaine Truck Equipment Company, and the distribution branches were restructured as a standalone truck equipment distribution company that kept the name.

Tiffin Loader Crane grows into a leading distributor of articulating cranes and develops its unique solutions, adapting its leading European technology to the needs of its customers in the transportation and construction industries.

The 1990s

In 1991, PALFINGER appointed Tiffin Loader Crane as its exclusive dealer for Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, and western Pennsylvania. A well-established customer base and extensive knowledge of customer applications helped the company become PALFINGER's largest independent dealer.

2000

Tiffin Loader Crane was acquired by PALFINGER, establishing the European company's presence in the U.S. The following year a new state-of-the-art installation facility was opened in Tiffin, OH.

2006

Omaha Standard Distribution was formed by the merger of the distribution businesses of Fontaine Truck Equipment Company and Omaha Standard Truck Equipment Company, following Omaha Standard, Inc.'s acquisition of the Fontaine Truck Equipment Company.

2008

PALFINGER acquired Omaha Standard Distribution in its acquisition of Omaha Standard, Inc.

2009

Omaha Standard Distribution and Tiffin Loader Crane's business operations are integrated.

2010

PalFleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC was formed by the merger of Omaha Standard Distribution and Tiffin Loader Crane, with locations in Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Council Bluffs, Dallas, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville and Tiffin.

2017

PALFINGER divested its service body business in North America and transferred service body distribution and upfitting at four locations to Reading Truck Group. PalFleet focuses on PALFINGER's core material handling products at its remaining locations.

 
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