What Walter Payton Power Equipment does

Walter Payton Power Equipment (WPPE) is a privately held, multi-brand authorized dealer and distributor of cranes and heavy equipment headquartered in Riverdale, Illinois, with full-service facilities in Lebanon and New Albany, Indiana and Taylor, Michigan. Founded in 1993 by NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton and Mike Lanigan (President and CEO of Mi-Jack Products), the company positions itself as the largest crane and heavy equipment distributor in the Midwest and the #1 Manitowoc dealer in North America for over 20 consecutive years.

WPPE's product portfolio spans all-terrain cranes (Grove GMK series, including the new 800-US-ton GMK8700), lattice boom crawler cranes (Manitowoc MLC series from 80 to 717 US-tons), boom trucks (National Crane NTC80), knuckle boom cranes (Manitex MAC/PM and newly added HIAB K-HiPro and X-HiPro series), telehandlers (Manitou), telescoping crawler cranes, rough terrain cranes, truck-mounted cranes, and supporting attachments (Greenfield smart crane mats, Roborigger, overhaul balls, boom/jib inserts). The company does not manufacture equipment; it distributes, rents, leases, and services OEM-built machines under authorized partnerships with Manitowoc, Grove, National, HIAB, Manitou, Manitex, PM, Greenfield, Broderson, JLG, and others.

Revenue is generated through four streams: one-time equipment sales (new and pre-owned), usage-based rentals (short- and long-term, plus re-rental), hardware parts sales (24/7 with same-day shipping), and professional services (factory-trained repair, advanced certified welding to AWS D1.1 and Manitowoc Advanced Welding standards, crane inspections, NDT testing, full paint shop, and equipment rebuilds). Pricing is predominantly quote-based for new equipment with usage-based rental terms. Customers are primarily enterprise construction, industrial, and energy/infrastructure firms across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. Distribution is exclusively direct through the four facilities, complemented by a corporate website, content marketing, and trade show participation (CONEXPO-CON/AGG).

Name

Walter Payton Power Equipment

Legal name

Walter Payton Power Equipment, LLC

Website

https://wppecrane.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walter Payton Power Equipment is a privately held Midwest distributor and authorized dealer for Manitowoc, Grove, HIAB, and other crane OEMs, selling, renting, and servicing heavy lifting equipment across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky from four full-service facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crane and Heavy Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Construction, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (532412)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Power & Energy Equipment Rental/Leasing (Generators, Light Towers, Compressors) (TLABAFAG)

Keywords

• Crane equipment distribution
• Heavy equipment sales
• Equipment rental services
• Crane parts support
• Aftermarket service

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of new and pre-owned cranes and heavy equipment including all-terrain cranes, rough terrain cranes, boom trucks, carry deck cranes, lattice boom crawler cranes, telescoping crawler cranes, truck mounted cranes, and telehandlers. Equipment can be purchased outright.
2. Equipment Rental: Short-term and long-term rental of cranes and heavy equipment for customers who need equipment for specific projects rather than ownership.
3. Parts Sales: Sale of replacement parts and components for all equipment sold, including 24/7 parts support with same-day shipping. Parts availability for Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane and other brands.
4. Service and Repair: Factory-trained service team providing equipment repairs, rebuilds, advanced certified welding, crane inspections, and equipment painting services. Services performed in the field, at customer shops, or at company facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Walter Payton Power Equipment is an authorized, multi-brand crane and heavy equipment dealer that sells, rents, leases, and re-rents new and pre-owned equipment manufactured by partners including Manitowoc, Grove, National, HIAB, Manitou, Manitex, and PM. The company operates four full-service Midwest facilities and supports every transaction with 24/7 parts availability, factory-trained service technicians, advanced certified welding, crane inspections, equipment rebuilding, and painting services.

Product overview

Walter Payton Power Equipment is the Midwest's largest crane and heavy equipment distributor, operating as a multi-brand dealer platform offering sales, rental, parts, and service. The product portfolio centers on all-terrain cranes (Grove GMK series including the new GMK8700 at 800 US-tons), lattice boom crawler cranes (Manitowoc MLC series from 80 to 717 US-tons), and knuckle boom cranes (Manitex MAC/PM series and newly added HIAB series). Supporting offerings include crane attachments (Greenfield smart crane mats, crawler mats, RT transport systems, overhaul balls, lattice boom/jib inserts), equipment rebuilding, certified welding, crane inspections, and 24/7 parts support. The company distributes across four full-service facilities in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, serving the construction, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grove All-Terrain Cranes Full line of Grove all-terrain cranes from 55 US-tons to 800 US-tons, including the GMK8700 (eight-axle carrier, 177–263 ft boom, CCS 2.0, up to 175 US-tons counterweight, MAXbase 2.0), GMK6400-1 (450 US-tons, MegaWingLift self-rigging), GMK5250L-1, GMK5120L, GMK4080-3, and GMK3050-3. Sold to construction, infrastructure, and energy-sector customers for heavy-lift applications.
• Manitowoc Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes Full line of Manitowoc lattice boom crawler cranes ranging from 80 US-tons (MLC80A-1) to 717 US-tons (MLC650, 772 with VPC-MAX), including the MLC650, MLC300, MLC250, MLC165-1, MLC150-1, MLC100-1, MLC90A-1, MLC80A-1, and 999 models. Features Variable Position Counterweight (VPC), VPC-MAX attachment, FACT connection booms, and Cummins engines. For heavy civil, infrastructure, and energy-sector lifting.
• Manitex MAC/PM Knuckle Boom Cranes Manitex/PM knuckle boom cranes in Small Series (2,180–4,740 lbs), Light Series, Heavy Series (19,060–50,710 lbs), and Super Heavy Series (35,820–48,710 lbs). Designed for installation on single axle to heavy duty commercial truck chassis; for material handling and delivery operations.
• HIAB Knuckle Boom Cranes HIAB loader cranes added in March 2026, including the K-HiPro 425 (4.52 US-ton drywall crane with hydraulic forks), X-HiPro 352 E-8 (5.23 US-ton heavy segment loader crane), iX.298 HiDuo E-7 (29.4 US-ton, 68'11" hydraulic outreach, SPACEevo control), and eX.302 E-8 HiPro (27.68 US-ton, pressure-compensated hydraulics, EV-ready design). Featured Semi Automatic Folding (SAF) System and Automatic Greasing System.
• National Crane Boom Trucks National Crane boom trucks including the NTC80 (22,500 lb hoist drum capacity, 12,000–24,000 lb counterweight packages, four-position outriggers, electric pinning) and supporting boom truck models. For material handling and lighter construction applications.
• Crane Attachments and Accessories Crane attachments including Greenfield Smart Crane Mats (4'x6' to 8'x16', 40% lighter than typical steel mats, center-grid load distribution), Greenfield Crawler Crane Mats (4'x16' and 4'x20', bridgeable design), Greenfield RT Transport System (tri-axle, 25,000 lb axle capacity), Greenfield Roborigger, Overhaul Balls (De Haan 8.8-ton, Johnson 19-ton, RopeBlock 8.8/13.2-ton), Manitowoc lattice boom inserts (10/20/40 ft) and jib inserts with FACT connection system, and the Tadano/Mantis Auger Attachment (McMillen 14K2, 30" diameter, 60" Kelly bar).
• Equipment Rental Services Short-term and long-term rental of cranes and heavy equipment, including re-rental options, for construction, industrial, and infrastructure customers that need equipment for specific projects rather than ownership. Flexible rental terms based on duration and equipment type.
• 24/7 Crane Parts Support Replacement parts distribution for Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane, and other brands, with 24/7 parts support and same-day shipping. Parts catalog covers all-terrain cranes, rough terrain cranes, boom trucks, lattice boom crawler cranes, telehandlers, and truck-mounted cranes.
• Advanced Certified Welding Services Field welding repair and modification services with a certified field welder holding AWS D1.1 and Manitowoc Advanced Welding certificates. Performs NDT testing (magnetic particle inspection and dye penetrant inspection) and operates a 400 amp mobile welder. Welding repair provided in the field, at customer shops, or at any WPPE facility.
• Crane Inspections Annual, monthly, and shift inspections for cranes and wire ropes, including documentation requirements and compliance with manufacturer specifications and government regulations. Includes annual crane inspections and third-party inspections.
• Equipment Painting Services Full-service paint shop with industrial coating materials for fresh coats or complete color changes, utilizing high-quality durable coatings from leading suppliers. Located at the Lebanon, Indiana facility with a 70'L x 25'W x 23'T paint booth.
• Equipment Rebuilds and Refurbishment Full refurbishment and rebuild services for all types of cranes and material handling equipment. Performed by factory-trained service technicians using the largest dedicated crane repair facility in Indiana and Kentucky (Lebanon, IN, 18,000 sq ft shop area).

Quantifiable outcome

• Recognized as #1 Manitowoc dealer in North America for over 20 consecutive years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• ManitowoccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary manufacturer partner. WPPE is the #1 Manitowoc dealer in North America for over 20 years, distributing Manitowoc lattice boom crawler cranes, Grove all-terrain cranes, and National Crane products. The company offers full sales, rental, parts, and factory-trained service for the complete Manitowoc product line.
• HIABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized HIAB dealer announced in March 2026. WPPE was selected as a key Midwest partner for Hiab as they launch their new dealer network, expanding lifting and material handling offerings across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. Featured models include HIAB Hi-Pro 425 Drywall Crane and HIAB 352E.8.
• ManitoucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Manitou telehandlers and material handling equipment, complementing the crane product line for complete material handling solutions.
• ManitexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Manitex boom trucks and knuckle boom cranes (MAC/PM series). Provides sales, parts, and service support for Manitex products.
• PM (PM Knuckle Boom Cranes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for PM knuckle boom cranes, part of the Manitex product family, offering small, light, medium, and super heavy series knuckle boom cranes.
• Greenfield ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Greenfield Products including Smart Crane Mats, Crawler Crane Mats, RT Transport System, SkyCrane Cantilever Lifting Beam System, Counter-Weight Trailers, and Roborigger attachments.
• Mi-Jack ProductsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMi-Jack Products is the parent/affiliated company of Walter Payton Power Equipment. Mike Lanigan, President and CEO of Mi-Jack Products, co-founded WPPE with Walter Payton in 1993. Mi-Jack is a leading provider of crane and rail equipment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunbelt Rentals: Sunbelt Rentals is one of the largest equipment rental companies in North America, offering aerial work platforms, heavy equipment, and industrial tools. While primarily a rental provider, it overlaps with WPPE in the crane and aerial equipment rental market and competes for similar Midwest customers.
• United Rentals: United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world with a national fleet spanning aerial, heavy construction, and industrial equipment. While WPPE is sales/service-led and United Rentals is rental-led, they directly overlap in the Midwest crane and heavy equipment rental segment.
• Liebherr USA: Liebherr is a major global manufacturer of crawler cranes, mobile cranes, and tower cranes with a US presence through Liebherr USA. As an OEM, Liebherr competes directly with the Manitowoc/Grove product families that WPPE sells and services.
• Manitowoc Company: Manitowoc Company is the parent manufacturer of Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane, and Potain brands and is WPPE's primary OEM partner. While a partner rather than competitor, Manitowoc's broader manufacturing footprint and growing direct-sales initiatives overlap with the categories WPPE distributes.
• Tadano America: Tadano is a global manufacturer of all-terrain, rough-terrain, and crawler cranes with a direct US presence through Tadano America. As an OEM, Tadano's product line directly competes with Manitowoc/Grove cranes that WPPE distributes, representing an alternative supplier option for shared customers.

Direct peers

• ALL Family of Companies: ALL Family of Companies is a national network of crane rental and sales businesses serving construction and industrial markets across the US. Like WPPE, it offers crane sales, rental, parts, and service through multiple regional locations with comparable operational model.
• Empire Crane Company: Empire Crane is an authorized Manitowoc, Grove, and Broderson dealer serving the Northeast US with crane sales, rentals, parts, and service. Like WPPE, it is a multi-brand crane dealer with a regional footprint and full-service capabilities, making its business model and product offering closely comparable.
• Maxim Crane Works: Maxim Crane Works is a leading crane rental company in North America with a fleet of more than 2,500 cranes and complementary sales and service capabilities. Like WPPE, it serves construction and infrastructure customers with heavy-lift equipment, though it is significantly larger and rental-led.
• Bigge Crane and Rigging: Bigge is one of the largest crane sales, rental, and rigging companies in the US with a national footprint and full-service capabilities including parts, service, and operator training. Like WPPE, it is a multi-brand dealer and rental provider for heavy-lift cranes, though at significantly larger scale.
• Buckner HeavyLift Cranes: Buckner HeavyLift Cranes is a multi-brand crane dealer and service provider operating across the Southeast, offering new and used crane sales, rentals, parts, and certified service. Like WPPE, it focuses on heavy-lift cranes from Manitowoc/Grove and operates as a full-service dealer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walter-payton-power-equipment-llc
• Facebookfacebook.com/wppecrane

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Walter Payton Power Equipment