Our History

Handling Systems honors a tradition in family values and strength. The company remains true to the brand’s original vision for cranes that are custom built to meet the needs of each customer’s exact specifications.  Check out how Handling Systems continues to build Quality Made Strong cranes through the decades.

Founded in Forest Park, IL (suburb of Chicago) by a former engineer of a large auto parts manufacturer. This individual built custom cranes on a one-off basis and saw a need for these cranes in neighboring Midwest factories.

Custom cranes were the foundation, but dealers drove Handling Systems to develop a more standard product line to better enable its growing dealer only based sales force to sell the products to factories across the country.

Further developments were made to grow the dealer-based network through outlets like the online catalogs and various other catalog houses.

The New H.S.I. logo was introduced along with a new domain (www.hsicrane.com).

Handling Systems announces exclusive partnership with Niko (Helm Hellas SA) to enable the company to have a complete line of enclosed track crane systems offered to dealers. All NikoRail enclosed track crane systems are manufactured in McCook, IL USA.

As the crane business grew, the company decided to move to a more adequate facility in La Grange, IL.

Mark Rehor and partners purchased the business. They officially changed the name to Handling Systems International, Inc.

Mark Rehor purchased 100% of the business, alongside his sons Mike and Mark (Jake) Rehor. A complete revitalization is started with a heavy focus on sales, product development, and manufacturing efficiency.

After perpetual growth over the past seven years of revitalization, Handling Systems moves into its new home; a 60,000 SF facility in McCook, IL.

Handling Systems launches new dealer crane sales training center.