What Dur-A-Lift does

Dur-A-Lift is a U.S. manufacturer of custom-built truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks), founded in 1969 and headquartered in George, Iowa, where it operates as a subsidiary of Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI). The company designs and assembles bucket trucks with working heights from 34 to 67 feet across multiple configurations: telescopic (DT2, DTX2), telescopic articulating (DPM, DPM2, DPM3, DLT2-60, DTA2), articulating overcenter (DO), telescopic bucket vans on Ford Transit chassis (DVT, DVS), and specialty builds including tracked lifts (UTV) capable of 40-degree slopes and 3-foot water wading, an urban forestry unit with chipper box, a DCP-36 cable placer, hybrid chassis options (Ram/Ford), and a fiber splicing aerial truck with integrated climate-controlled splicing lab. Insulation ratings up to 46kV (Category C, D, E) support electric utility line work, while basket configurations (MH single-person material handling, DU dual, DP double-person) address fleet-level standardization.

The business model is hardware sales of built-to-order vehicles, priced via quote rather than public list pricing, sold exclusively through a tiered nationwide authorized dealer network (Premier Dealers, Authorized Dealers, Authorized Service Providers) supplemented by a direct factory contact channel. Revenue streams include unit sales, warranty registration and service, and parts and manuals. The company targets four primary verticals: electric utility, telecommunications (fiber), tree care/forestry, and sign/lighting. Marketing is conducted through a product/industry-segmented website, build customizer, dealer locator, blog/news content, Facebook/LinkedIn/YouTube social presence, email newsletter ("Bucket Truck Insider"), and trade show participation at Utility Expo and TechAdvantage.

Dur-A-Lift is part of DTI, which employs over 200 people across its George, Iowa operations (including sister company Sudenga Industries) and is one of the largest employers in Lyon County. DTI traces its manufacturing heritage to 1888, and Dur-A-Lift's current manufacturing facility was opened around 2015. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, revenue, or public stock listing.

Name

Dur-A-Lift

Legal name

Dur-A-Lift, Inc.

Website

https://dur-a-lift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Dur-A-Lift is an Iowa-based manufacturer of custom truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks) serving electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, and sign/lighting customers across the United States through a nationwide authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks)

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621), Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Truck-mounted aerial lifts
• Bucket truck manufacturing
• Utility bucket trucks
• Aerial work platforms
• Insulated bucket trucks

Headquarters

HQ city

George

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aerial Lift Manufacturing and Sales: Dur-A-Lift designs, manufactures, and sells custom truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks). Products are sold through an authorized dealer network across the United States. Each truck can be customized with various chassis, body, basket, and accessory options.
2. Warranty and Service: The company provides warranty registration and support services for their aerial lifts, with warranty periods beginning on date put in service or ship date.
3. Parts and Manuals: Parts and manuals available through the company's parts department, with service hours Monday through Friday.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dur-A-Lift designs, manufactures, and sells custom truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks) in telescopic, articulating, telescopic articulating, overcenter, bucket van, and tracked configurations. Each unit is built to order with selectable chassis, body, basket, insulation, and accessory options (including hybrid drivetrains and integrated fiber splicing labs) for electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, and sign/lighting customers. Products are sold exclusively through a nationwide authorized dealer network that also provides warranty, parts, and service support.

Product overview

Dur-A-Lift is a manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial lifts (bucket trucks) with a diversified product portfolio organized around different lift types and configurations. The core product lines include the DPM Series and DPM2 Series (telescopic articulating lifts with MH/DU/DP configurations for material handling and personnel use), the DLT2-60 Series (high-reach lifts up to 67 feet), the DO Series (articulating overcenter format), and the compact DTA2 Series. Bucket van variants include the DVT Series (under 10,000 lb GVWR Transit-based) and DVS Series (with extensive storage for telecom). Specialty products include Tracked Lifts (UTV) for challenging terrain, Urban Forestry Units with chipper boxes, the DCP-36 Cable Placer, Hybrid Aerial options, and Fiber Splicing Aerial Trucks featuring integrated climate-controlled splicing labs. All products are manufactured in George, Iowa and supported through a nationwide dealer network. The company has been building bucket trucks since 1969.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DPM2 Series Telescopic Articulating Aerial Lift Telescopic articulating aerial lifts available in material handling (MH), dual configuration (DU), and double-person (DP) formats with working heights from 38 to 59 feet. Sold through authorized dealers for utility, telecom, and general aerial work.
• DPM Series Telescopic Articulating Bucket Truck Telescopic articulating bucket trucks with side-mounted jib and winch, available in MH, DU, and DP configurations with working heights from 38 to 57 feet. Sold to fleet buyers for utility and general elevated work.
• DLT2-60 Series High-Reach Telescopic Articulating Lift High-capacity telescopic articulating lifts offering up to 67 feet of working height and 39 feet of side reach, available in DU, MH, and DP configurations. Targeted at buyers needing maximum reach for utility, sign, and lighting applications.
• DO Series Articulating Overcenter Bucket Truck Articulating overcenter bucket trucks with working heights up to 41 feet and side reach up to 30 feet, available in insulated and non-insulated formats. Sold for utility and sign/lighting applications.
• DTA2 Series Compact Telescopic Articulating Lift Compact telescopic articulating bucket trucks with working heights from 41 to 45 feet, designed for maneuverability in tight spaces. Targeted at municipal and urban fleet operators.
• DT2 Series Telescopic Personnel Bucket Truck Telescopic personnel bucket trucks with single-person capacity, available in insulated or non-insulated configurations with working heights up to 36 feet. Sold for lighter-duty utility and sign/lighting work.
• DTX2 Series Telescopic Bottom-Mount Bucket Truck Telescopic bucket trucks featuring bottom-mount baskets with 180-degree basket rotator, working heights up to 39 feet. Designed for applications requiring basket rotation.
• DPM3 Series Bottom-Mount Telescopic Articulating Lift Bottom-mount basket telescopic articulating lifts with working heights up to 60 feet and 600-pound basket capacity, available in SW (personnel) and AW (auxiliary winch) variants.
• DVT Series Telescopic Aerial Lift Van Telescopic aerial lift vans built on Ford Transit chassis, offering working heights up to 34 feet with under 10,000 lb GVWR for compact maneuverability. Targeted at operators needing a non-CDL van platform.
• DVS Series Telescopic Bucket Van Telescopic bucket vans with single-person baskets, 350-pound capacity, and extensive storage options, designed specifically for telecom and fiber optic industries.
• Tracked Aerial Lift (UTV) Track-mounted aerial lifts capable of climbing 40-degree slopes and wading through 3 feet of water, with working heights up to 67 feet. Usable as single-person material handling or double-person personnel lift for off-road and forestry applications.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Teupen: German manufacturer of tracked spider lifts and truck-mounted aerial platforms; overlapping specialty tracked-lift offerings similar to Dur-A-Lift's Tracked UTV product, focused on European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Wacker Neuson: German manufacturer of compact machinery and aerial work platforms; broader product portfolio than Dur-A-Lift, including light compaction and site equipment, with international scale and dealer footprint.
• Haulotte Group: French manufacturer of aerial work platforms and boom lifts serving global markets; broader product portfolio than Dur-A-Lift's truck-mounted focus and competing primarily across Europe and other international geographies.
• Bronto Skylift (Federal Signal): Finnish manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial platforms for fire/rescue and utility markets; comparable aerial lift products but broader institutional and emergency-services customer base than Dur-A-Lift's commercial focus.
• JLG Industries (Oshkosh Corporation): Largest global manufacturer of aerial work platforms with a broader portfolio spanning boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers; competes with Dur-A-Lift in aerial equipment but offers a much wider product range and global footprint.
• Palfinger AG: Austrian global manufacturer of cranes and hydraulic lifting solutions with aerial platform offerings; broader product portfolio than Dur-A-Lift with significant international scale and adjacent lifting applications.

Direct peers

• Elliott Equipment Company: Manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial work platforms and bucket trucks serving utility and telecom customers; directly comparable product offerings with a focus on heavy-duty industrial applications.
• Niftylift: UK-based manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms and self-propelled boom lifts; comparable specialty aerial equipment manufacturer with similar mid-market scale and configuration flexibility.
• Versalift (Time Manufacturing): US-based manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial lifts and bucket trucks for utility, telecom, and sign/lighting markets; directly comparable product lines, customer base, and dealer-distributed go-to-market model.
• Altec Inc. Major US-based manufacturer of aerial devices, bucket trucks, and utility equipment; directly competes with Dur-A-Lift across electric utility, telecom, and forestry verticals with a broader product portfolio and significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/duralift
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGIgu5NckpWXQNXuLtoSk6Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/282794071750558
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/987047

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Dur-A-Lift