A Tradition of Excellence
From humble beginnings, Wolter has grown into one of the regions’ largest and most respected operational productivity solutions providers. This business success story is grounded in dedication to customer satisfaction, future-forward thinking and family.
Through hard work, great customer service and acquisitions, we have grown to include an extensive suite of operational productivity solutions including material handling, automation and robotics, cranes and hoists, engineered systems, storage and handling, railcar movers, power systems, workplace storage, service, parts and accessories, rentals and training.
This exceptional range of products, services and expertise, enables our team of experts to address your operational productivity challenges more holistically. We’re confident that by seeing the bigger productivity picture, we can help you transform today’s operational expenses into tomorrow’s new revenue streams.
History Highlights
| 1962 | LPM Parts & Service founded (later renamed Wisconsin Lift Truck) |
| 1970 | Green Bay, WI branch added |
| 1975 | Wolter Power Systems division formed |
| 1975-1985 | Janesville, WI, Wausau, WI & Rockford, IL branches added |
| 1990 | Training division formed |
| 1995 | Acquired Fiorenza Material Handling |
| 1998 | AmGen acquired and Fleet Services division formed |
| 2000 | Brookfield, WI headquarters built |
| 2001 | Eau Claire, WI branch added |
| 2006 | Material Handling Services acquired |
| 2010 | WITCO Systems acquired |
| 2011 | Wolter Group LLC brand introduced to unify family of companies across a growing footprint & expanding portfolio |
| 2012 | Scott Lift Truck and YDR acquired |
| 2014 | Chicago Lift Truck acquired |
| 2015 | Servicemax and Fleet Lift Truck Service acquired |
| 2016 | Ellis Systems acquired |
| 2017 | Stephan Forklift Repair acquired |
| 2018 | West Salem, WI branch built |
| 2019 | Kensar Equipment & Bohnert Equipment acquired, expanding territory into Indiana, Ohio & Kentucky |
| 2020 | Integrity Industrial Equipment, A D Lift Truck and K & L Equipment acquired, expanding territory into Missouri & Southern IL |
| 2021 | Power Products Plus and Advantage Materials Handling Group acquired |
| 2021 | Company announces it is unifying all brands under the Wolter name |
| 2022 | Valley Industrial Crane acquired |
| 2022 | Wolter celebrates its 60th anniversary & is awarded the BizTimes Future 50 Award |
| 2022 | Ohio Valley Maintenance acquired, expanding dock and door product and service offerings |
Our Legacy Brands
Over the years, Wolter has kept its sights squarely on what we can do to better serve our customers. As a result, we’ve grown our footprint and capabilities through both the fostering and strategic acquisition of industry-leading brands. Here’s a closer look at some of the brands that have helped make us what we are today. Wisconsin Lift Truck, Founded in 1962, as LPM Parts & Service, the larger Wolter story begins with Wisconsin Lift Truck. Starting with forklift parts & service, Otto J. Wolter, co-owner Bill Sommers, and Otto's family members; Joe Weis and Rusty Isler would grow the company into a full-service material handling dealership, offering sales, service, parts, rentals, training and more.
As Wisconsin Lift Truck grew, so did its need for forklift engines. In 1975, Wolter Power Systems was founded as a sole Deutz engine distributor. The business grew steadily each year, allowing Wolter to become the authorized dealer for many new industrial engine lines, along with exchange engines, generators, transfer switches, pumps and mobile light towers from leading manufacturers.
An Eye Toward the Future
Wolter wouldn’t be what it is today without the expertise and experience of our component brands. Each acquisition and expansion puts us in a better position to serve you, our customers.
As your operations continue to grow, you can trust that Wolter will do everything it can to provide the technology, equipment and support to keep your business ahead of the competition.