TIME Manufacturing

What TIME Manufacturing does

TIME Manufacturing Company, founded in 1965 and headquartered in Waco, Texas, is a global designer, manufacturer, and distributor of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts, digger derricks, cable placers, bridge inspection equipment, and composite truck bodies. Its product portfolio spans 29-foot to over 300-foot vertical reach platforms with material-handling capacities up to 2,000 lbs, anchored by proprietary safety systems including TruGuard (dielectric isolation) and SlopeMax (overturn prevention) and the original articulating-telescopic aerial lift design invented at the company's Waco facility in 1989. The company operates through multiple brands — Versalift, Ruthmann, France Elévateur, Movex, Aspen Aerials, BrandFX, Steiger, Ecoline, and Bluelift — across owned manufacturing facilities in the US (Waco, Duluth, Fort Worth), Denmark (Farso), Germany (Gescher-Hochmoor), France, Belgium, Spain, and Ireland, plus an evergreen joint venture with Xuji Electric in China.

The company generates revenue primarily through unit sales of hardware (bucket trucks, digger derricks, bridge inspection units, composite service bodies) supplemented by parts, service, maintenance, financing (Versalift Capital), and operator training (Versalift FIT) across roughly 60 countries. Distribution is executed through a three-channel mix — a corporate Direct Sales Unit, company-owned regional distributors (Versalift Southwest / East / Southeast / Northwest / Midwest / Canada / Denmark / France / UK / Ireland), and long-standing third-party independent distributors — with aftermarket support at more than 300 service centers worldwide. Customer concentration is skewed toward electric utilities, telecommunications and cable providers (notably State Grid Corporation of China via the Xuji JV), government and municipal fleets, bridge inspection agencies, and contractors.

Privately held since February 2017, the company was owned by The Sterling Group from 2017 to December 2021, when it was acquired by H.I.G. Capital to underwrite an ongoing Global Growth Plan. Under that plan the company has executed more than ten acquisitions between 2018 and 2022, expanding its geographic footprint (Ireland, China), product portfolio (high-reach platforms, compact lifts, composite bodies, bridge inspection), and service center network. Leadership under CEO Roman Rariy emphasizes multi-brand integration, engineering depth (CTO James Christian), and continued transnational expansion.

Name

TIME Manufacturing

Legal name

Time Manufacturing Company

Website

https://timemfg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

TIME Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and distributes vehicle-mounted aerial lifts, digger derricks, bridge inspection equipment, and composite truck bodies, serving telecom carriers, electric utilities, governments, and contractors across 60+ countries via its Versalift, Ruthmann, France Elévateur, Aspen Aerials, and BrandFX brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Lifts

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC), Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Vehicle-mounted aerial lifts
• Bucket trucks manufacturing
• Digger derrick equipment
• Bridge inspection units
• Composite truck bodies

Headquarters

HQ city

Waco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aerial Lift Equipment Sales: Sale of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts including bucket trucks, articulating, telescopic, and non-overcenter models. Products range from 29ft to over 300ft vertical reach with material handling capacities up to 2000 lbs.
2. Digger Derricks: Sale of TMD-Series Digger Derricks and heavy-duty digger derrick units for ground work operations in utility and construction applications.
3. Cable Placer Vehicles: Sale of cable placing lift units including STP-36 light cable placer for construction and maintenance of overhead telecommunication lines.
4. Bridge Inspection Equipment: Sale of Aspen Aerials bridge inspection trucks with multiple independently operating booms and no outrigger requirement.
5. Truck Bodies and Service Bodies: Sale of BrandFX advanced composite service bodies, line bodies, toppers, and other fiberglass components for specialty equipment.
6. Service, Parts, and Maintenance: Company-owned facilities handle uplifting/assembly, repair, maintenance, and sales all under one roof. Parts sales and service operations at more than 300 service locations worldwide.
7. BrandFX Buckets: Sale of fiberglass bucket fabrication products through BrandFX division, expanding composite truck body and bucket offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TIME Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and distributes vehicle-mounted aerial lifts including bucket trucks, digger derricks, cable placers, bridge inspection equipment, and composite truck bodies. Its products serve telecommunications carriers, electric utilities, municipalities, contractors, and bridge inspection customers with vertical reach from 20 to over 300 feet and material handling capacity up to 2,000 lbs. The company also provides related services including parts, repair, maintenance, financing, and operator training through its branded subsidiaries Versalift, Ruthmann, France Elévateur, Aspen Aerials, and BrandFX.

Product overview

Time Manufacturing Company is a global manufacturer of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts offering a comprehensive portfolio of products through multiple brands. The core Versalift brand provides aerial lifts from 29 to over 300 feet of vertical reach for electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, and municipal applications. The portfolio includes specialized safety systems (TruGuard, SlopeMax), high-reach platforms (PHX, Skybird, CTA/Condor), digger derricks, cable placers, and material handlers. Through acquisitions, the company has expanded to include Ruthmann (European aerial work platforms with Steiger, Ecoline, Bluelift sub-brands), France Elévateur (European manufacturer with Movex brand), Aspen Aerials (bridge inspection equipment), and BrandFX (composite truck bodies). The company operates manufacturing in Waco, Texas and Farso, Denmark, with company-owned distributors across North America and Europe, serving customers in more than 60 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Versalift: Primary brand for vehicle-mounted aerial lifts, bucket trucks, digger derricks, and cable placers serving electric utility, telecommunications, and other industries.
• Ruthmann
• France Elévateur
• BrandFX
• Aspen Aerials
• Movex Lift
• Steiger
• Ecoline
• Bluelift

Products and services

• Versalift Aerial Lifts Primary brand of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks) ranging from 29 to over 300 feet of vertical reach, sold to telecommunications carriers, electric utilities, municipalities, and other fleet operators. Includes articulating, telescopic, telescoping articulated, overcenter, and non-overcenter models with material handling capacities up to 2,000 lbs.
• Versalift Digger Derricks Truck-mounted derricks for digging, pole setting, and material handling for utility and construction applications, including the TMD-Series digger derricks and heavy-duty TMD-4000 series.
• STP-36 Light Cable Placer Specialized cable placer lift unit for construction and maintenance of overhead telecommunication lines, used by telecom and cable companies for fiber and cable installation.
• Aspen Aerials Bridge Inspection Equipment North American market-leading bridge inspection trucks with multiple independently operating booms and no outrigger requirement, including the Aspen A-62 with 18.8 meters horizontal under-bridge reach and 20.6 meters vertical downward reach. CE Marked for European markets.
• BrandFX Composite Service Bodies and Line Bodies Advanced composite service bodies, line bodies, toppers, and other fiberglass components for specialty equipment, manufactured in Fort Worth, Texas. BrandFX is the North American leader in composite truck bodies for service and line equipment.
• Ruthmann Aerial Work Platforms European brand of aerial work platforms acquired in 2021, including Steiger high-reach platforms (24-90 meters), Ecoline value-oriented track-mounted lifts, and Bluelift compact aerials. Used by global customers including wind turbine maintenance companies.
• France Elévateur (FE Group) Aerial Work Platforms European aerial work platforms from France Elévateur, FE Deutschland, FE Benelux, and the Movex brand, serving customers across Europe with truck-mounted and specialty aerial platforms.
• Versalift Capital Financing Financing and leasing program for Versalift equipment purchases, providing customers with structured payment options for fleet acquisitions of aerial lifts and related equipment.
• Versalift FIT Operator Training Interactive online and in-person operator training program meeting ANSI A92.2 and OSHA guidelines for bucket truck operation, providing standardized certification training for fleet operators.
• Service, Parts, and Maintenance Network Aftermarket parts, repair, and maintenance services provided through more than 300 service locations worldwide via company-owned distributors and third-party partners. Includes uplifting/assembly, repair, and parts sales at company facilities in North America and Europe.
• Versalift 5G Bucket Truck Specialized 5G network deployment bucket truck with multiple access points and a climate-controlled cable splicing workstation, designed for fifth-generation wireless network rollout by telecom carriers.
• Skybird (SKY) 215-I High-Reach Aerial Lift Premium high-reach vehicle-mounted aerial lift with 215 feet working height, 102 feet maximum side reach, and continuous turret rotation. Hybrid of bucket truck and utility vehicle features for high-reach applications including electric transmission and wind energy maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% increase in insulation gap with TruGuard safety system
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• FE DeutschlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 October 2022FE Deutschland, a 10 year old aerial work platform service provider based in Leipzig, joined the Ruthmann service network following Time Manufacturing's acquisition of France Elévateur.
• Facelift (AFI-UPFIT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2021Facelift, the Sussex based up-fitter recently taken over by AFI-UPFIT, ordered a European Aspen A-62 bridge inspection unit for their rental inventory. The Versalift Aspen A-62 was added to Facelift's rental fleet in October 2021.
• Xuji Electric (Subsidiary of State Electric Grid of China)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2018Landmark joint venture established December 18, 2018 - the 40th anniversary of China's opening to foreign investment. Xuji Electric and Versalift/Time Manufacturing developed an insulated aerial lift factory in China to manufacture and assemble bucket trucks for distribution throughout Chinese market and other countries in the region. The evergreen joint venture will result in thousands of additional Versalift aerial lifts produced annually. Time Manufacturing retains control of design, component sourcing, quality assurance, and safety inspection.
• China State GridmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 December 2018State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is responsible for ongoing management, maintenance and improvement of China's huge electric power utility network. Currently investing in China's electric power grid at an unprecedented rate. Versalift is considered a high-quality supplier of truck-mounted insulated aerial access platforms for the SGCC.
• Qingte GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 July 2018Qingte Group of Qingdao, Shandong Province is a distributor for Versalift in China. The highly organized and professional organization has won many honors for its enterprise and technology, and is responsible for installing Versalift aerial lifts onto HOWO chassis, assembling and upfitting vehicles with custom-made full line bodies, switches and additional kit.
• Blade PlatformsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Blade Platforms, North America's leading company for truck-mounted aerial platform rentals and wind turbine inspection, acquired Ruthmann Steiger T235A. Uses Ruthmann Steiger T235A, TB220, T480, T175A and T720 in their global fleet for wind turbine maintenance services.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Terex Corporation (Genie): Global manufacturer operating the Genie brand for aerial work platforms and materials processing equipment. Terex/Genie is a direct competitor in aerial work platforms across multiple segments and significantly larger than TIME Manufacturing, with broader geographic reach and a more diversified industrial portfolio.
• JLG Industries (Oshkosh Corporation): Subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation and global leader in aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and access equipment. JLG is significantly larger than TIME Manufacturing and offers overlapping product categories across global markets, with a broader portfolio spanning self-propelled booms, scissor lifts, and truck-mounted platforms.

Direct peers

• Manitou Group: French global manufacturer of aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and material handling equipment. Manitou's aerial work platform division competes directly with TIME Manufacturing's France Elévateur, Ruthmann, and Versalift brands, particularly in European markets and in the truck-mounted platform segment.
• Palfinger AG: Austrian global manufacturer of loader cranes, aerial work platforms, and material handling equipment. Palfinger competes directly with TIME Manufacturing's Ruthmann and Versalift brands in truck-mounted aerial platforms and high-reach products across European and global markets, with a particularly strong presence in loader cranes.
• Altec Inc. US-based privately held manufacturer of aerial devices, bucket trucks, digger derricks, and specialty equipment serving electric utility, telecom, and tree care markets. Altec is TIME Manufacturing's most direct North American competitor with a comparable product portfolio (insulated aerial lifts, digger derricks, cable placers) and overlapping end-market focus.
• Haulotte Group: French manufacturer of aerial work platforms and material handling equipment. Haulotte is a direct competitor to TIME Manufacturing's European brands (Ruthmann, France Elévateur) and Versalift in self-propelled and truck-mounted aerial platforms, with strong European market share and expanding global footprint.
• Bronto Skylift: Finnish manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial platforms known for high-reach and specialty aerial work platforms. Bronto Skylift competes directly with TIME Manufacturing's high-reach brands (Ruthmann Steiger, Versalift Skybird/PHX) in extreme-reach applications including wind turbine maintenance, bridge inspection, and power transmission.
• Niftylift: UK-based manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms including truck-mounted and self-propelled aerial platforms. Niftylift is a direct competitor to TIME Manufacturing's Versalift and Ruthmann brands in European markets with comparable specialty access products and a similar focus on height and reach innovation.
• Alimak Group: Swedish manufacturer of vertical access solutions including industrial elevators, construction hoists, and work platforms. Alimak competes with TIME Manufacturing in niche industrial access and aerial work platform applications, with a comparable focus on construction, infrastructure, and industrial end markets.

Regional players

• Aichi Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of vehicle-mounted aerial work platforms with significant market share in Asia. Aichi is a regional peer in aerial lifts, particularly relevant given TIME Manufacturing's China JV with State Grid and broader Asian market expansion through the Qingte Group distribution relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/versaliftusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjvT_w7SSZZiFrZANsqTacg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Versalift

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TIME Manufacturing