Illini Hi-Reach has expanded its reach in the Chicagoland area by opening a new facility in Crown Point, Ind. The company, which first opened its doors in 1993, has moved its headquarters from Lemont, Ill., to Crown Point, its fourth full-service location and first outside Illinois.
The JLG-authorized dealer and rental house now provides scissor lifts, boom lifts, and telehandlers from southern Wisconsin to northern Illinois/Greater Chicago, and northwest Indiana to southwest Michigan.
The operation in Crown Point includes a 30,000-sq.-ft. facility with 6,000-sq.-ft. of office space on six acres of land next to Interstate 65. Managers, sales team members, and hourly employees have been and will continue to be hired at the location in 2016. According to Illini Hi-Reach, its rental fleet is returning to its pre-recession size as it continues to grow its construction and industrial customer base.
“Our expansion into northwest Indiana was based on our historic success and presence in this market, as well as continuing customer requests to have us expand into Indiana,” said Larry Workman, president. He added that Illini Hi-Reach is continuing to look at additional opportunities in nearby markets to further expand the business.
Service is key to the company, and the new facility provides mechanics with the room to work. The shop includes a 20-ton overhead crane and 26-ft. ceilings for performing maintenance, as well as external washing bays and multiple charging stations for electric scissor lifts and boom lifts. Not only will it maintain its own equipment, but Illini Hi-Reach now can assist its customers with their service needs—including brands others than JLG.
Illini Hi-Reach also will be able to offer operator certification in an indoor classroom setting, and hands-on tests can be performed inside the facility. Employees at the location have been factory certified through the JLG Train-the Trainer program.
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