Handling Systems International

What Handling Systems International does

Handling Systems International (HSI Cranes) is a US-based, family-owned custom crane manufacturer operating from a 60,000 sq ft facility in McCook, Illinois. The company designs and fabricates jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge and overhead cranes, monorail systems, hoists, and fall protection equipment, with capacities ranging from light-duty (1/8 ton) to custom heavy-duty builds up to 1,000 tons. Its product line is built around four families: jib cranes (freestanding, wall-mounted, articulating, telescopic boom, and workstation models), gantry cranes (fixed/adjustable steel, aluminum, motorized, and the battery-powered Rover), bridge cranes (NikoRail enclosed track, Olympus free-standing, single/double girder, and box girder configurations), and monorail systems. HSI holds an exclusive US partnership with Niko (Helm Hellas SA) to manufacture the NikoRail enclosed track line domestically and complies with AISC, OSHA 1910.179, ANSI B30.11, CMAA No. 74, MMA MH27.2, and AWS D1.1/D1.2 welding standards, with AWS-certified welders.

The company operates a dealer-only distribution model supported by a dedicated dealer crane sales training center and an online Quotinator quoting tool, with no direct-to-end-user sales motion. Pricing is custom-quote based on specifications (capacity, span, height, customization), and all products carry custom-engineering service scope, with multi-year project contract cadences for larger builds. The customer base spans manufacturing (primary vertical), aviation, logistics, agriculture, and rail/transportation, including specialized aerospace, military, and nuclear applications. Recent strategic activity centers on capacity expansion (the McCook facility relocation), product innovation (The Rover battery-powered gantry crane launched in 2025 and the Olympus free-standing bridge crane), and warranty differentiation (an 11-year industry-leading warranty on select product lines). The company is owned and operated by the Rehor family (Mark Rehor and sons Mike and Mark (Jake) Rehor) and operates as a private corporation with no disclosed external investors or funding rounds.

Revenue model is predominantly one-time hardware sales of custom-engineered cranes, supplemented by professional engineering services for highly specialized configurations and resale of hoists as part of complete lifting solutions. The company emphasizes US-based manufacturing, multi-generational family ownership, and 30+ years of operational experience (per company marketing), positioning itself as a reliable mid-market custom alternative to larger industrial crane OEMs.

Name

Handling Systems International

Legal name

Handling Systems International, Inc.

Website

https://hsicrane.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Handling Systems International (HSI Cranes) is a US-based, family-owned custom crane manufacturer producing jib, gantry, bridge, and monorail cranes (capacities up to 1,000 tons) from its McCook, Illinois facility, sold exclusively through a nationwide dealer network to manufacturing, logistics, aviation, agriculture, and rail customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Crane Manufacturing

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Jib Cranes (IMAHAJAE), Overhead (Bridge) Cranes (IMAHAJAC), Hoists (Electric, Manual & Pneumatic) (IMAHAJAG)

Keywords

• Custom crane manufacturing
• Material handling equipment
• Overhead bridge cranes
• Jib and gantry cranes
• Monorail systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Illinois City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Crane Manufacturing and Sales: One-time sale of custom-built cranes including jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge/overhead cranes, and monorail systems. Products are priced per unit based on specifications, capacity, span, and customization requirements. Includes hoist and below-the-hook attachments as complete lifting solutions.
2. Master Dealer for Hoist Products: Company acts as Master Dealer for major hoist manufacturers, reselling electric chain hoists, wire rope hoists, and manual chain hoists as part of complete lifting solutions (A, B, C of lifting: Jib, Hoist, Below-the-Hook).
3. Customization and Engineering Services: Custom engineering and design services for specialized crane configurations including custom capacities up to 1,000 tons, multiple girder designs, and extreme industrial applications for aerospace, military, and nuclear facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Handling Systems International designs, engineers, and manufactures custom-built cranes and material handling equipment, including jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge/overhead cranes, monorail systems, hoists, and Nikoline fall protection systems. Products are custom-built to each customer's exact specifications, ranging from light-duty 1/8 ton capacities up to 1,000 tons for heavy-duty custom configurations, and are manufactured at a 60,000 sq ft facility in McCook, IL.

Product overview

Handling Systems International (HSI) is a family-owned custom crane manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of material handling equipment. The product line centers on four main crane categories: Jib Cranes (including medium/heavy duty freestanding, portable forkpocket, cantilever, mast type, tie rod, articulating, telescopic boom, wall traveler, and workstation models), Gantry Cranes (fixed/adjustable steel, aluminum, motorized, and the battery-powered Rover), Bridge Cranes (NikoRail enclosed track, Olympus free standing, single/double girder, and box girder configurations), and Monorail Systems. The company also offers complementary products including hoists (electric chain, wire rope, manual chain) and Nikoline fall protection systems. All products are custom-built to customer specifications and manufactured in the USA at their McCook, IL facility, with exclusive partnership with Niko (Helm Hellas SA) for enclosed track crane systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NikoRail: Exclusive partnership with Niko (Helm Hellas SA) for enclosed track crane systems manufactured in McCook, IL, USA. Includes NIKORAIL Light Crane System and related enclosed track products.
• The Rover
• Olympus

Products and services

• Medium Duty Freestanding Jib Crane (Model 350/350F)

Quantifiable outcome

• 200K+ cranes sold
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Niko (Helm Hellas SA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with Niko (Helm Hellas SA) allowing Handling Systems to offer a complete line of enclosed track crane systems. Products are manufactured in McCook, IL, USA under this partnership. The NikoRail systems provide ergonomic and cost-effective solutions for overhead handling applications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Air Technical Industries: US manufacturer of jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, and specialty lifting equipment. Comparable to HSI in product breadth and custom-build operating model serving industrial customers.
• Gorbel: US-based manufacturer of jib cranes, bridge cranes, gantry cranes, and ergonomic lifting systems. Highly comparable to HSI across product categories, customer verticals, and dealer-driven distribution for industrial facilities.
• Vestil Manufacturing: US manufacturer of material handling, lifting, and storage equipment including jib cranes and gantry cranes. Comparable as a custom industrial equipment maker serving manufacturing and warehouse customers.
• Bushman Equipment: US custom crane manufacturer focused on jib cranes, gantry cranes, and monorail systems. Highly comparable niche peer with similar custom-engineering approach for industrial customers.
• Spanco: Specialty US manufacturer of jib cranes, gantry cranes, and bridge cranes. Closely comparable to HSI in product portfolio (jib/gantry focus), customization model, and industrial end-market focus.

Broad incumbents

• Konecranes: Global leader in overhead cranes (including bridge and gantry), lifting equipment, and port solutions. Comparable across bridge, gantry, and process crane product categories, though at vastly greater scale and broader service scope.
• Columbus McKinnon: Large US public company offering hoists, cranes, and material handling solutions including jib and bridge cranes. Broad incumbent with overlapping product categories but a much larger portfolio and global footprint.
• Harrington Hoists: US manufacturer of hoists, cranes (jib, gantry, bridge), and below-the-hook lifting products. Overlaps with HSI's hoist master-dealer offering and full crane portfolio; broader incumbent with distribution across all 50 states.
• Mazzella Companies (Shepard Niles): US material handling solutions provider offering overhead cranes (Shepard Niles brand), hoists, and rigging services. Competes with HSI in bridge crane and hoist categories, particularly in heavy industrial and military applications.
• Demag (part of Konecranes): Long-established industrial crane and hoist brand covering bridge cranes, gantry cranes, and hoists. Competitor to HSI in overhead and process cranes, but with global manufacturing and standardized product portfolios.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hsicrane
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/handling-systems-international-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/handling_systems_international

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Handling Systems International