Skylift Inc

What Skylift Inc does

Skylift, Inc. is a family-owned US manufacturer of specialty easement and right-of-way utility equipment, founded in October 2000 and headquartered at a 10,000+ sq ft facility in Lorain, Ohio. The company designs, builds, and sources its equipment entirely in the United States, producing compact machines that access utility infrastructure in tight backyards, narrow alleys, under low eaves, and across off-road terrain where traditional bucket trucks and digger derricks cannot reach. Its product portfolio spans four core categories: mini digger derricks (MD 4000 Wheel/Track Driven, MD 6000, MD 6000R, Patriot 40/50), mini arborist machines (MA 39, MA 53, MA 61/64), material handlers (ML 47, ML 53, ML 55, Pioneer, ML 53 E-Series), and articulating truck-mounted boom lifts (SBA47i, SBA55i, F550 Utility Bucket Truck), complemented by the CHAMP compact hydraulic power unit, hybrid E-Series battery/diesel variants, trailers, and a broad parts and accessories catalog. Skylift's underlying technology is a proprietary full-pressure proportional hydraulic control system with no electric hydraulics in the main controls, claimed to be the only machine of its kind in the industry, which the company says enables stress-free maintenance by any hydraulic mechanic without computer diagnostics. The flagship MD 6000 E-Series, launched in 2020 and patent-protected, was the first battery-powered hybrid backyard easement machine.

Skylift generates revenue primarily through capital equipment sales (hardware sales of new machines) and aftermarket parts and accessories, supplemented by professional services including technical support, OEM parts repair, annual inspections, dielectric recertifications, welding, fabrication, CNC machining, and expedited repairs at the in-house Skylift Equipment Service Center. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with custom configurations varying by model, specifications, and accessories. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales (municipalities, investor-owned utilities, co-ops, contractors) with a multi-channel distribution network: as of 2023 the company partners with CraneWorks (US-wide), Commercial Truck (Canada-exclusive), Pro Group Equipment (Northeast US), and Brown Equipment Co. (six Midwest states), plus direct quote-based sales supported by a three-step process (request quote, configure options, deliver with in-service training and aftermarket support). Marketing is primarily content-driven through the company blog, SEO-optimized equipment pages, customer case studies, the Utility Expo (booth E1025), and earned media including a 2022 Presidential recognition by President Biden in Lorain for clean-energy equipment impact under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The company primarily serves electric utility companies, municipalities, rural electric co-operatives, tree-care and arborist companies, and telecommunications infrastructure contractors. Named end-users include Entergy Corporation (3 million utility customers served across four states with Skylift equipment since 2010), Frontier Power (5X fiber installation efficiency gain with the Pioneer material handler), Blue Ridge Co-Op, Oberlin Municipal Electric, Menasha Utilities, Townsend Tree, and Oklahoma State University–OKC (workforce training program). The company employs 11-50 people and has 2,000+ machines deployed in the field across its 25-year operating history.

Name

Skylift Inc

Legal name

Skylift, Inc.

Website

https://skyliftus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Skylift, Inc. is a family-owned Lorain, Ohio manufacturer of compact specialty easement and right-of-way utility equipment — including digger derricks, arborist machines, material handlers, and articulating bucket trucks — serving electric utilities, municipalities, co-ops, and contractors needing access to tight backyards and off-road terrain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Utility Equipment

NAICS

Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile & Crawler Cranes (IMAHAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction Site Vehicles (Dumpers, Site Carriers, Telehandlers) (IMAHAIAB), Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD)

Keywords

• Specialty easement equipment
• Digger derrick machines
• Material handlers
• Utility arborist machines
• Articulating bucket trucks

Headquarters

HQ city

Ohio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Easement Equipment Sales: Skylift manufactures and sells specialty easement machines including digger derricks, material handlers, arborist machines, and articulating boom trucks. Equipment is sold through distributors and direct sales with quote-based pricing.
2. Parts and Accessories: Skylift offers parts and accessories including Dual Utility Buckets, Electric/Hydraulic Recovery Winches, Material Handling Jibs, Can Handlers, Hydraulic Hose Reels, Pad Mount Carriers, and Radio Remotes. Parts department ensures quick shipments and availability even for older machines.
3. Service and Technical Support: Technical support services including troubleshooting, field assistance, annual inspections, dielectric recertifications, welding, fabrication, CNC machining, and expedited repairs at the Skylift Equipment Service Center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Skylift manufactures and sells specialty compact easement machines—including mini digger derricks, mini arborists, material handlers, and articulating truck-mounted boom lifts—designed for utility maintenance in tight-access residential backyards, narrow alleys, rear-property easements, and off-road terrain that traditional bucket trucks cannot reach. The company also produces the industry's first battery-powered hybrid easement machine (MD 6000 E-Series) and offers a comprehensive line of parts, attachments, trailers, and factory service/repair support through authorized distributors and direct sales.

Product overview

Skylift Inc is a family-owned manufacturer of specialty easement equipment founded in 2000 and headquartered in Lorain, Ohio. The company produces a diversified portfolio of compact utility equipment designed for tight-access and off-road applications inaccessible to traditional truck-mounted equipment. The product lineup includes: Mini Derrick/Digger Derricks (MD 6000, MD 4000 Wheel/Track Driven, MD 6000R, Patriot 40/50) for pole drilling and setting; Mini Arborists (MA 39, MA 53, MA 61/64) for line clearing and tree maintenance; Material Handlers (ML 47, ML 55, ML 53, Pioneer) for transformer replacement and maintenance; Articulating Bucket Trucks (SBA47i, SBA47i-MH, SBA55i, SBA55i-MH) for aerial utility work; Hybrid E-Series models (MD 6000 E-Series, ML 53 E-Series) combining battery and diesel power for zero-emission operation; and specialty equipment including the CHAMP power supply unit. The company also offers a comprehensive range of trailers (20K/25K GVWR) and attachments/accessories. All products feature proportional hydraulic controls and are backed by lifetime structural warranties. The company has over 2,000 machines in the field and 80+ years of combined team experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MD 6000 mini derrick The flagship mini derrick digger derrick introduced in 2008, featuring proportional hydraulic-controlled operation with no electric hydraulics in main controls, 6,000 lb lift capacity, and a 7-foot overall height for navigating tight spaces and gates. Sold to utility customers needing backyard access for pole setting and transformer work.
• MD 4000 Wheel Driven mini derrick The original Skylift mini derrick machine, lighter and smaller with a superior turning radius for easy maneuvering. Offers 4,000 lb lift capacity and 39-42 foot working height, can travel through standard 36-inch gates, and is sold to utility operators needing access to tight residential easement areas.
• MD 4000 Track Driven mini derrick Mini derrick with hydraulically retractable and expandable tracks for fitting through 36-inch gates. Features an additional two-foot insulation gap and smaller footprint than the wheel-driven unit, sold for backyard access utility work.
• MD 6000R digger derrick Groundbreaking digger derrick featuring fully radial outriggers for unmatched stability and flexibility, a 5-second boom enable feature, and an automatic auger release system. Sold to utility and contractor customers needing stable operation on uneven ground or tight spaces.
• MD 6000 E-Series battery-powered hybrid digger derrick First battery-powered hybrid backyard easement machine with options to operate in electric or diesel modes. Features zero emissions in battery mode, reduced noise pollution, app-based battery monitoring, and the same power as the diesel MD 6000, sold to utilities and municipalities pursuing sustainability and noise-reduction goals.
• Patriot 40/50 off-road digger derrick Off-road digger derrick machine with 76 horsepower and two boom options (40' and 50'). Skylift's largest track vehicle, transportable on small flatbed trailers, and sold to rural utilities and contractors needing off-road reach.
• MA 39 mini arborist Skylift's lightest and smallest arborist machine, available in track-driven or wheel-driven options, designed for a small footprint and tight spaces. Used by tree-care contractors and utility crews for preventative maintenance in residential settings.
• MA 53 mini arborist Mini arborist with a taller frame and larger boom than the MA 39, offering smoother movement and greater reach. Track-driven qualities allow movement in and out of tight spaces, sold for line clearing and preventative maintenance.
• MA 61/64 mini arborist Skylift's largest and most powerful arborist machines with 61' and 64' boom options. Features double-insulated booms and self-propelled design, reducing setup time by 15-20%, and sold to arborist and utility crews needing elevated reach.
• ML 47 material handler Material handler with 47-foot working height and 1,000-lb material handling jib. Features an articulated telescopic insulated boom that fits through standard 36-inch gates and under 7-foot eaves; sold for preventative maintenance and transformer replacement.
• ML 55 material handler Material handler with 55-foot working height for extended-reach utility repairs and a compact design that navigates through standard gates and beneath eaves, sold for utility maintenance crews.
• ML 53 material handler Material handler with vertical reach over 50 feet and a 1,000-lb material handling jib. Features an articulated telescopic boom and bucket for preventative maintenance and transformer replacement, sold to utilities and contractors for compliance with digger-derrick accompaniment regulations.
• ML 53 E-Series hybrid material handler Hybrid version of the ML 53 with battery/diesel power options. Operates with zero emissions in battery mode while maintaining the same features as the diesel counterpart, sold to utilities and municipalities with sustainability mandates.
• Pioneer off-road material handler Track-driven material handler with 53-foot working height, 1,000-lb material handling jib, and all-terrain capability for reaching job sites with difficult terrain. Sold to rural electric co-ops and contractors deploying fiber, broadband, and utility pole infrastructure off-road.
• CHAMP compact hydraulic and mobile power unit Compact hydraulic and mobile power (CHAMP) supply unit introduced as a mobile power source for other Skylift machines in areas where typical power supply units cannot fit. Features hydraulic flow rates up to 8 GPM, a built-in 6,000-watt generator, and a rotary-screw air compressor, sold to utility crews for field power assistance.
• SBA47i articulating bucket truck Articulating truck-mounted boom lift with 52-foot working height and exceptional side reach, built on a Ford F-550/600 Super-Duty chassis for reliability in tight easements and preventative maintenance in narrow-access environments.
• SBA47i-MH articulating bucket truck with material handler SBA47i variant with an integrated 1,000-lb material handler and 52-foot working height, built for efficient transformer replacements with all functions mounted on a Super-Duty chassis. Sold to utilities for transformer and aerial work in tight easements.
• SBA55i articulating bucket truck Articulating truck-mounted boom lift with 60-foot working height, built for high-reach utility jobs where compact access is required; ideal for urban and backyard applications.
• SBA55i-MH articulating bucket truck with material handler Top-tier articulating material handler with 60-foot working height, advanced articulation, and 1,000-lb jib for safe transformer lifts. Purpose-built for tight easement and rear-property access, sold to utility and contractor customers.
• F550 Utility Bucket Truck Utility bucket truck featuring a Skylift-engineered articulating boom with 51.4-ft working height and 1,000-lb material handling capability; new standard for linemen, municipalities, and contractors.
• 20K GVWR trailer Trailer with 20,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for transporting Skylift equipment, sold as a separate accessory for customers needing to mobilize their machines.
• 25K GVWR trailer Trailer with 25,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for transporting heavier Skylift equipment, sold as a standalone accessory.
• Skylift Equipment Service Center - service and technical support Factory service center in Lorain, Ohio offering OEM parts repair, annual inspections, dielectric recertifications, welding, fabrication, CNC machining, troubleshooting, field assistance, and expedited repairs. Sold to existing equipment customers for compliance, maintenance, and uptime assurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5X increase in fiber installation efficiency - Frontier Power upgraded 3-5 poles per day vs 1-2 with traditional methods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• CraneWorkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023CraneWorks, founded in 2002, is an authorized Skylift distributor with multiple branches strategically located throughout the US. They provide equipment rental, purchase, and service/repair capabilities to end users.
• Commercial TruckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Commercial Truck, founded in 1947, is Canada's largest truck equipment supplier and vehicle integrator. This partnership provides exclusive coverage for all of Canada, representing Skylift's entry into the Canadian market.
• Pro Group EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Pro Group Equipment, founded in 2020, is an authorized Skylift distributor covering the Northeast of the US. They provide equipment rental, purchase, and service/repair to customers in their territory.
• Brown Equipment Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Brown Equipment Co., founded in 1968, is an authorized Skylift distributor covering six Midwest states. They provide equipment rental, purchase, and service/repair capabilities.
• AMP Ohio (American Municipal Power)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Oberlin is a member of AMP Ohio. The ML 53 equipment purchased by Oberlin may also serve surrounding communities including Amherst, South Amherst and Grafton through mutual support arrangements within this power consortium.
• Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOG&E is an industry partner consulted by OSU-OKC when selecting equipment for their utility construction training program. Their recommendations helped identify Skylift as the preferred equipment manufacturer for the program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Altec Inc. Altec is a leading U.S. manufacturer of aerial devices, digger derricks, and bucket trucks serving the electric utility, telecommunications, and tree care markets. It directly competes with Skylift's core digger derrick and material handler product lines, though at significantly larger scale.
• Terex Utilities: Terex Utilities (now part of TII Inc.) produces aerial devices, digger derricks, and auger drills for utility customers. Its product range overlaps Skylift's MD and ML series, though Terex typically serves larger trucks and broader customer segments.
• Manitex International: Manitex designs and manufactures boom trucks, rough terrain cranes, and specialized utility equipment including digger derricks. Its PM and Valla product lines compete with Skylift's articulating boom and material handler offerings.
• Elliott Equipment Company: Elliott manufactures truck-mounted aerial work platforms and specialty equipment for utility and sign & lighting markets. Its HiReach and Duralift lines overlap with Skylift's SBA articulating boom truck and ML material handler categories.
• Versalift (Time Manufacturing): Versalift produces aerial lift equipment including bucket trucks and material handling aerials for utility, telecommunications, and forestry customers. Comparable to Skylift's articulating bucket trucks and arborist machines.
• Dur-A-Lift: Dur-A-Lift manufactures truck-mounted aerial lifts and material handling equipment for utility, sign, and lighting applications. Its compact aerial devices and material handlers are comparable to Skylift's SBA and ML product lines.

Broad incumbents

• JLG Industries (Oshkosh): JLG is a major global manufacturer of aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and boom lifts. While its portfolio is much broader than Skylift's specialty easement focus, its telehandler and boom lift products compete for some overlapping utility and infrastructure use cases.
• Genie (Terex): Genie, a Terex brand, produces aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and material lifts. It is a broad incumbent in mobile elevating work platforms with some functional overlap with Skylift's compact utility equipment, though it focuses primarily on construction rather than utility easement applications.
• Manitowoc Company: Manitowoc manufactures mobile cranes and lifting equipment through its Potain, Grove, and National Crane brands. While its focus is on larger-capacity cranes, the lifting/hoisting technology and customer base overlap with Skylift's digger derrick business.

Regional players

• Haulotte Group: Haulotte is a European-headquartered manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telehandlers. It serves similar utility and infrastructure end-markets as Skylift but primarily competes in EMEA rather than North America.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/skyliftus
• Facebookfacebook.com/skyliftus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Skylift Inc