The term "Chicago forklift" does not refer to a single manufacturer, but rather to the rich and diverse ecosystem of forklift manufacturers, dealers, and service providers that have called the Chicago area home for decades. From homegrown innovators to global brand headquarters, the Chicago metropolitan area has been a central hub for the material handling industry since the early 20th century.
Homegrown Manufacturers
Big Joe Forklifts is the most prominent forklift brand born in Chicago. Founded in 1951 by the Kiefus and Levine families, Big Joe introduced its first product, the In Between Handling (IBH) manual straddle stacker, that same year. Remarkably, the IBH remains in production today. Over the past 75 years, Big Joe has grown from a midwestern manufacturer into a North American leader, pioneering innovations from power-drive pallet trucks to integrated lithium-ion forklifts and autonomous solutions. The company is now a key player in the industry's transformation from internal combustion to electric power. While Big Joe is now headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, it continues to serve customers through an extensive North American dealer network.
Voss Equipment is another long-standing Chicago institution. Founded in 1934 by Peter Voss, Sr., Voss Equipment has been serving the material handling needs of Chicagoland for over 90 years. As a family-owned dealership, Voss partners with Yale and other industry-leading manufacturers to provide forklifts, railcar movers, and industrial vehicles.
Major Dealerships and Service Providers
The Chicago area is home to a dense network of authorized dealers and service providers representing virtually every major forklift brand.
Wolter Inc. is an authorized dealer for Linde, Big Joe, Hyundai, CombiLift, and Doosan/Bobcat forklifts, with two Chicago-area locations in Bolingbrook and Sugar Grove. They also offer a wide selection of used equipment from Toyota, Komatsu, and Caterpillar. Wolter provides certified pre-owned forklifts with structured warranty packages, ranging from 30-day to 60-day coverage.
Chicago Industrial Equipment Inc. , located in the suburb of Rockdale, claims to be the largest aerial lift equipment and forklift dealer in the Midwest and one of the largest in the world. With over six acres of yard space and a 20,000-square-foot indoor showroom, they carry top brands including Yale, Terex, Nissan, JLG, Crown, Skyjack, Bobcat, Cat, and Skytrak.
Komatsu Forklift of Chicago, located in Alsip, IL, is wholly owned by Komatsu Forklift USA and provides new and used forklifts, parts, rentals, and service for all makes and models.
Associated is a Chicago-based forklift dealer offering new and used forklifts, backed by one of the largest service and parts divisions in the Midwest, with a significant rental fleet.
Midway Industrial Equipment is Chicagoland's Hyundai Forklift Dealer, offering new and used forklifts, batteries, and service.
Gallo Equipment operates locations in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Fort Wayne, with a focus on Taylor Forklifts and Ottawa Spotting Terminal Tractors.
RHI Lifts is an independently-owned business with offices in Schaumburg and Rockford, serving the Chicago area and Northern Illinois with forklift sales, rentals, maintenance, and training.
Forklift Rental in Chicago
Forklift rentals are widely available across the Chicago metropolitan area, supporting a variety of tasks including moving palletized inventory, loading and unloading trucks, and supporting warehouse storage systems. Major rental providers include Wolter Inc. (with two strategically located branches near I-55 and I-355), Voss Equipment, RHI Lifts, Associated, and Chicago Lifts, which offers a comprehensive fleet including electric, gas, LP-gas, and diesel-powered options.
Forklift Training in Chicago
The Chicago area also offers accessible forklift operator training programs. The City Colleges of Chicago, for example, provides a 3.5-day intensive program that prepares students to become safe and effective forklift operators, opening doors to higher-skilled jobs.
Summary
Chicago's forklift ecosystem is defined by its deep-rooted history, diverse dealer network, and comprehensive range of services. The city is home to Big Joe Forklifts, a 75-year-old manufacturer born in Chicago, and Voss Equipment, a 90-year-old family-owned dealership. The metropolitan area is served by a dense network of authorized dealers representing virtually every major global brand, including Wolter Inc. (Linde, Big Joe, Hyundai, CombiLift, Doosan/Bobcat), Chicago Industrial Equipment (Yale, Terex, Nissan, JLG, Crown, Bobcat, Cat), Komatsu Forklift of Chicago, Associated, Midway Industrial Equipment (Hyundai), Gallo Equipment (Taylor), and RHI Lifts. With extensive rental fleets, certified pre-owned programs, factory-trained service technicians, and accessible operator training, the Chicago forklift market offers complete material handling solutions for businesses of all sizes.