What Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc. does

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc., operating as SUMNER Material Lifts, is a Houston, Texas-based manufacturer of material handling and lifting equipment founded in 1968. The company designs and produces three core product lines: Gantry Lifts (GH2T, GH3/4T, and GH5T models with 3/4 to 5-ton capacities using lightweight 3-piece aluminum frames), Material Lifts (Series 1900 through 2600, plus the FAB-MATE, ROUST-A-BOUT, Eventer, and EL-405 models covering 150 lb to 1,500 lb loads with lift heights up to 25 ft), and Hoists (standard and premium lever hoists and chain block hoists ranging from 1/4 ton to 20 tons, with optional overload protection). Products are tested to 150% of rated capacity and certified to ANSI/ASME, OSHA, and CE standards. Revenue is generated through unit hardware sales, parts and accessories, certified repair/maintenance services, and product training, with quote-based pricing routed through distributors and direct sales managers.

The company was acquired by S.F.E. Group (Specialized Fabrication Equipment Group) from Southwire in 2025 and now operates as a brand within S.F.E. Group's portfolio of 12 complementary industrial brands. S.F.E. Group provides Sumner with access to a global distribution network of 500+ partnerships, over 400 employees, and regional offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Sumner serves enterprise customers across aerospace, defense, biotech/pharmaceutical, oil & gas, power generation, maritime, food & beverage, manufacturing, and utilities, with named-logo relationships spanning SpaceX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Pfizer, ExxonMobil, Shell, Saudi Aramco, and the US Navy, among others. GTM is field-sales driven through direct contact with regional sales managers and a channel partner network across five continents.

Name

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Legal name

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Website

https://sumner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc. (SUMNER Material Lifts) is a Houston, Texas-based manufacturer of material lifts, gantry lifts, lever hoists, and chain block hoists serving aerospace, defense, oil & gas, power generation, and industrial customers, now operating as a brand within S.F.E. Group's 12-brand portfolio following its 2025 acquisition from Southwire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Hoists (Electric, Manual & Pneumatic) (IMAHAJAG), Crane & Hoist Safety & Monitoring Systems (Limiters, Anti-collision, Load Monitoring) (IMAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Material handling equipment
• Gantry lifts
• Lever hoists
• Chain block hoists
• Industrial lifting equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Material Lifting Equipment Sales: Direct sales of material lifts, gantry lifts, hoists, and related equipment to industrial and construction professionals
2. Parts & Accessories: Genuine parts and accessories for material handling equipment, extending product life and performance
3. Repair & Maintenance Services: Expert repair and maintenance services with certified technicians and genuine parts for lifting and fabrication tools
4. Training Services: Hands-on product demonstrations and training for lifts, stands, clamps, and welding tools

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc. (SUMNER Material Lifts) manufactures and sells material lifts, gantry lifts, lever hoists, and chain block hoists for industrial and construction professionals. The product range handles loads from 150 lbs to 20 tons and includes specialized fabrication lifts, drywall/HVAC lifts, counterbalanced lifts, and event production lifts, complemented by parts, accessories, and training/repair services. The equipment is engineered for shop floor and jobsite use, meeting ANSI/ASME, OSHA, and CE standards.

Product overview

Sumner Material Lifts is a manufacturer of material handling and construction equipment, founded in 1965 and acquired by S.F.E. Group in 2025. The company's product portfolio consists of three core product lines: Gantry Lifts (including GH2T, GH3/4T, and GH5T models), Hoists (comprising Lever Hoists and Chain Block Hoists in both standard and premium variants with optional overload protection), and Material Lifts (spanning the Series 1900 through 2600 lines, plus Eventer, FAB-MATE, ROUST-A-BOUT, and EL-405 models). The product line handles loads ranging from 150 lbs to 20 tons, serving industries including aerospace, defense, oil and gas, manufacturing, power generation, and utilities. Accessories such as trolleys and beam clamps complement the main product lines. The company maintains a global presence with over 400 employees and distribution across five continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gantry Lifts (GH2T, GH3/4T, GH5T) Portable aluminum-frame gantry lifts with capacities from 3/4 ton (1,650 lbs) up to 5 tons (11,000 lbs), featuring 3-piece lightweight frames, locking casters, adjustable cross beams, optional trolleys, and chain-hoist compatibility. Designed for shop and jobsite material handling with pinch-free, often two-person assembly. Sold to mechanical contractors, fabricators, and industrial customers.
• Material Lifts (Series 1900, 2000, 2000 Short Stack, 2100, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600) A family of manual and counterbalanced material lifts with 150 lbs to 1,100 lbs capacities and 8 ft to 25 ft lift heights, featuring reversible forks, two-speed winches, internal cable routing, pulley guards, and tool-free assembly. Used by mechanical, drywall, HVAC, and industrial contractors for elevated lifting on jobsites and in warehouses.
• Eventer™ Series Lift Discreet black-colored material lift supporting up to 800 lbs with 16-25 ft reach, designed for live event production to support lighting, speakers, truss, and AV gear. Compact, durable, and easy to assemble.
• FAB-MATE™ Lift Fabrication lift handling 1,000 lbs with 7 ft lift height and a Sumner winch, designed for flange alignment, fitting, and precise single-user lifting in tight spaces. Targeted at metal fabrication shops and welders.
• ROUST-A-BOUT™ Lift Versatile material lift raising 1,500 lbs with 15-25 ft lift heights, featuring dual-winch control, 4-speed precision winch, and 8-inch casters. Compact, disassemblable design used for tight-space lifting or pipe installation.
• EL-405 Stacker Lift Compact stacker lift handling 400 lbs with 53-inch lift height, two-speed winch, large platform, and quick-action brake, designed for light-duty warehouse and service material handling.
• Standard Lever Hoists Manual lever hoists lifting 1/4-6 tons (227-5,443 kg) with steel bodies, 360-degree ratchet handles, and removable hooks. Tested to 150%, with 5-20 ft chain falls, meeting ANSI/ASME, OSHA, and CE standards for industrial lifting.
• Premium Lever Hoists Premium lever hoists lifting 0.8-9 tons with fused brakes, zinc phosphate chains, and hard steel sheaves, tested to 150% with 5-20 ft chain falls. Meets ANSI/ASME, OSHA, and CE standards.
• Premium Lever Hoists with Overload Protection Heavy-duty premium lever hoists featuring overload protection that halts operation on overloading, lifting 1-20 tons (907-18,144 kg) with zinc phosphate chains, steel frames, and removable hooks. Tested to 150% with 10-30 ft chain falls.
• Chain Block Hoists Manual chain block hoists lifting 1/2-10 tons with durable steel load sheaves, removable top hooks, and 10-30 ft chain falls. Tested to 150%, meeting ANSI/ASME, OSHA, and CE standards for compact industrial lifting.
• Premium Chain Block Hoists Premium chain block hoists lifting 1/4-20 tons (227-18,144 kg) with low headroom, zinc phosphate chains, and removable hooks, tested to 150% with 10-30 ft chain falls and meeting all industrial lifting standards.
• Premium Chain Block Hoists with Overload Protection Premium chain block hoists with overload protection capability, designed for heavy industrial lifting applications requiring additional safety against overloading.
• Parts & Accessories (Trolleys, Beam Clamps, etc.) Genuine parts and accessories for Sumner material handling equipment, including trolleys that enable horizontal movement of loads along beams and beam clamps for secure attachment to structural beams in overhead lifting applications.
• Repair, Maintenance, and Training Services Expert repair and maintenance services with certified technicians using genuine parts, plus hands-on product demonstrations and training for lifts, stands, clamps, and welding tools. Offered to industrial and construction customers globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products tested to 150% capacity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers43 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• S.F.E. Group (Specialized Fabrication Equipment)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025S.F.E. Group acquired the Sumner Brand from Southwire in 2025. Sumner is now part of a portfolio of complementary, industry-leading brands focused on specialized fabrication and material handling solutions. S.F.E. Group provides global network of over 400 employees, 500 partnerships, and offices across five continents.
• SouthwireminorOthersSouthwire sold the Sumner brand to S.F.E. Group in 2025. Sumner was previously owned and operated under Southwire.
• Mathey DearmancoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Provides pipe fabrication tools including pipe flame cutting and bevelling, pipe alignment and reforming clamps, and pipe rigging equipment. Brands work together to deliver complete jobsite solutions.
• B&B SumnercoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Provides material handling equipment including Mega Rollers & Stands, Pipe Jacks & Stands, and material handling solutions.
• Fit-Up ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Provides fit-up and alignment tools and layout and marking tools for pipe fabrication.
• Pipe Purge Masters (PPM)coreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Provides pipe purging systems, purge oxygen monitors, and pipe stoppers for pipe fabrication.
• CLIMAX Portable Machining & Welding SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Acquired by S.F.E. Group, providing portable machining and welding systems.
• Axxair GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Acquired by S.F.E. Group, providing orbital welding solutions.
• MagnatechcoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. Acquired by S.F.E. Group, providing orbital welding equipment.
• TAG PipecoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of S.F.E. Group portfolio brand. One of the founding brands of S.F.E. Group in 2019 merger.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Direct peers

• Gorbel Inc. Gorbel is a manufacturer of overhead cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, and ergonomic lifting solutions. Direct peer to Sumner's gantry lift product line, serving industrial manufacturing and warehouse customers with similar portable and fixed overhead lifting systems.
• Harrington Hoists: Harrington Hoists manufactures electric chain hoists, manual chain hoists, lever hoists, and air hoists for industrial and construction applications. Direct competitor to Sumner's lever hoist and chain block hoist product lines, serving overlapping customer segments with similar ANSI/OSHA-compliant products.
• Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Vestil manufactures material handling equipment including stackers, lift trucks, drum handling equipment, and industrial lifting products. Comparable to Sumner's stacker lift (EL-405) and material lift product lines serving similar warehouse, manufacturing, and industrial customers.
• Tiger Lifting (Kito Crosby): Tiger Lifting, part of the Kito Crosby group, manufactures lever hoists, chain blocks, and lifting equipment. Direct peer to Sumner's hoist product line with similar capacity ranges, safety standards, and industrial customer base in oil & gas, construction, and mining sectors.
• Coffing Hoists (Columbus McKinnon brand): Coffing Hoists is a recognized brand of lever hoists, chain hoists, and air hoists. Closely comparable to Sumner's hoist portfolio with overlapping capacity ranges and industrial customer base in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance applications.
• Kito Group (Kito Crosby): Kito Group is a Japanese-based global manufacturer of hoists, cranes, and chain products including lever hoists, electric chain hoists, and manual chain blocks. Direct competitor in the hoist category with similar compliance standards and serving similar industrial customers worldwide.
• Columbus McKinnon Corporation: Columbus McKinnon is a leading global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of hoists, cranes, and lifting solutions including lever hoists, chain hoists, and material handling equipment. Direct overlap with Sumner's product portfolio of lever hoists, chain block hoists, and lifting solutions serving industrial and construction customers.

Broad incumbents

• Genie (Terex Corporation): Genie, part of Terex, is a leading manufacturer of aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and material lifts. While broader and more focused on powered aerial equipment, Genie competes in the material handling category with lifting equipment for construction and industrial applications.
• Konecranes: Konecranes is a global leader in overhead cranes, port solutions, and lifting equipment. While primarily serving heavier industrial applications with larger overhead crane systems, Konecranes competes in adjacent material handling categories relevant to Sumner's gantry lift customers.
• Ingersoll Rand: Ingersoll Rand is a diversified industrial manufacturer providing compressed air, flow control, and material handling solutions. The material handling division offers hoists, cranes, and lifting systems that compete broadly with Sumner's product portfolio, though as part of a much larger industrial portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sumner-manufacturing-company-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc.