Cromer Material Handling, based in Northern California, has acquired Gray Lift, Inc.  Gray Lift’s co-owners, Jay and Richard Waugh, decided to retire, and sold the assets to Marshall Cromer, owner of Cromer Material Handling.  Gray Lift has sold forklifts and material handling products in Central California for the past 59 years. 

Gray Lift will continue operating under the same name with the same motto:  “Service is Everything.”  With the acquisition, Gray Lift’s quality products and outstanding customer service now benefit Northern California.  Merging the two companies comes with some impressive numbers:  over 140 full-time employees, including 80 experienced mechanics, 12 parts specialists with over 300 years of combined experience, and 20 sales professionals. 

The combined 6 locations – Cromer Oakland, Cromer Sacramento, Cromer Manteca, Gray Lift Fresno, Gray Lift Bakersfield, and Gray Lift Santa Maria – serve over 20 California counties.

From the beginning, Gray Lift’s goal was to expand into new markets to better serve its customers.  Merging with Cromer Material Handling allows that expansion to continue. “This is an exciting time for everyone involved, and we think our customers will feel the excitement,” states Marshall Cromer.

The acquisition will also expand distribution of material handling and storage products.  This includes new technology like the 100% green electric forklift by BYD, plus forklifts by Doosan, Kalmar, Donkey, and Sellick.  Cromer is a dealer for CAT and Jungheinrich as well.  Product lines also include industrial batteries, industrial new and used rack, boltless shelving, compactors, baler, dock equipment, industrial doors and service, and many more related products.

Marshall Cromer is the single stockholder.  He’s been in the material handling business since 1979 and loves the industry.  He enjoys being characterized as “The Forklift Boss” and believes in 2016 he will change the industry with new products & expanding on Gray Lift’s success.