Fifteen years ago, on nights and weekends, after long work days, LiftSmart’s founders, Steve Citron, and his father-in-law, Ron Bundy, built their first material lift by hand in a garage. The company will celebrate 15 years of material lifting solutions at The American Rental Association (ARA) Show.
The ARA Show 2026 is located in Orlando, March 2-4. Attendees can find LiftSmart at booth #865.
The prototype, the MLC-18, now features over 40 design and feature improvements over competitive models, would eventually make its debut in the new vendor area at the 2011 ARA Show in Las Vegas. By the end of the show, LiftSmart sold around 60 machines.
“After that first show, we believed our new company could be something special. We were exhausted but so grateful for all of the support we received from the rental industry and our new customers,” Steve Citron, Founder and LiftSmart Managing Director, said.
Celebrating at the 2026 ARA Show
To mark 15 years of “Lifting What Matters,” LiftSmart will celebrate its anniversary at this year’s industry show with a special giveaway of an MLI-15 material lift. All rental company attendees are invited to visit the LiftSmart booth to enter for a chance to win. One lucky winner will be drawn during the show. No purchase is required to win.
“The giveaway of our MLI-15 is a small thank-you to the many ARA member companies who have supported our journey since it began at The ARA Show in 2011,” said Steve. “Without the support of this association and its members, we would not be where we are today.”
In addition to the anniversary celebration, LiftSmart will offer a preview of what’s next, teasing upcoming product launches that continue the company’s focus on modern design and real-world performance. Full details will be announced at the show.
Refusing to Accept The Status Quo
LiftSmart was founded to address a long-standing issue in the material lift category: most designs hadn’t meaningfully changed in more than two decades.
Contractors and rental companies were expected to work faster, safer, and more efficiently, but the tools hadn’t kept pace.
“We didn’t see innovation happening where it mattered,” Citron said. “So, we decided to build what customers had been requesting and wishing for: a new range of improved material lifting equipment.”
That mindset shaped LiftSmart’s growth:
- 2011: Launch of the MLC-18, followed by the MLC-12 and MLC-24
- 2012-2013: Introduction of the MLI Industrial Pro Series and MLM Mini Pro Series
- 2014: Expansion into international markets
What began in a small garage quickly grew into a professional manufacturing operation, first in a small 3,500-square-foot commercial facility, then quickly expanding into a larger 8,500-square- foot production facility, then growing even further to LiftSmart’s current footprint of two buildings and close to 20,000 square feet of manufacturing, office, and warehouse space.
Built in the U.S.A.
From inception, LiftSmart made a strategic decision that continues to define the company today, building every single product in the U.S. and sourcing parts from American suppliers.
In recent years, many manufacturers faced months-long shutdowns during global port congestion, which contributed to production delays and long delivery lead times. While these manufacturers struggled to meet customer demand, LiftSmart, leveraging its domestic supply chain, was uninterrupted and continued producing and shipping equipment.
Domestic suppliers provide faster turnaround, more consistent quality, and fewer surprises.
“Being close to our supply chain really matters,” Citron said. “It keeps us responsive, stable, and accountable, especially when our customers need us most.”
Some of LiftSmart’s suppliers are organizations that have existed for generations, including the Colson Caster Company, founded in 1885 in Ohio, and Dutton-Lainson, a Nebraska-based winch manufacturer established in 1886.
“These aren’t just companies that supply us with parts, they are our trusted partners and long-standing US-based companies,” Citron said.
Real Service for Real People
LiftSmart’s customer-first philosophy is simple: treat each person with equal consideration.
“At LiftSmart, we take pride in serving every customer equally. It does not matter the size of the order, whether it’s a single replacement part, a new machine, or a fleet of equipment, each request receives the same care and attention,” LiftSmart co-Founder Kristi Citron said.
When the company’s phones ring, it isn’t AI answering, but real, hardworking people who care about each and every customer.
“In today’s age of automation, we believe in keeping things personal. When you call LiftSmart, you’ll speak with a live representative ready to assist with your questions,” she continued.
At LiftSmart, orders move fast. Ninety-eight percent of the company’s parts ship to their clients within 24 hours.
“Our Parts Department works diligently to ship orders the same day, or within 24 hours, because we know how critical it is to get machines repaired and back on rent quickly. Their success is our priority, and quite frankly, the only reason we exist. We’re committed to helping our customers keep their operations running smoothly and profitably,” Kristi Citron added.
