LiftSmart Celebrates 15 Years with ARA Show Giveaway and Product Preview

Meagan Wood
Jan 16
3 min read

30 Second Takeaway

LiftSmart is celebrating 15 years in business with a giveaway and preview of new products at this year’s ARA Show in Orlando. Founded in a California garage in 2011, the US manufacturer has grown into a global supplier of portable material lifts, supported by a domestic manufacturing base and strong ties to the rental industry.

Marking 15 Years of LiftSmart

US portable material lift manufacturer LiftSmart is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special giveaway and a preview of upcoming products at the ARA Show in Orlando, taking place at the start of March.

The milestone reflects the company’s growth from a small startup to an established supplier serving rental companies and contractors in the US and international markets.

From Garage Prototype to ARA Debut

The Early Years

LiftSmart began in a garage in California, where Genie and MEC veteran Steve Citron and his father-in-law, Ron Bundy, hand-built the company’s first prototype—the 18.7ft MLC-18.

The company made its public debut at the 2011 ARA Show in Las Vegas, where it sold approximately 60 machines.

Reflecting on that first show, Steve Citron said:

“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.”

Expanding the Product Range

Building a Broad Lift Portfolio

Following its ARA debut, LiftSmart rapidly expanded its product line. Today, the portfolio includes:

MLC Series: MLC-12 (13.3ft / 4m), MLC-18 (18.7ft), and MLC-24 (24.4ft / 7.4m)
MLI Industrial Pro Series: Eight models ranging from 5 to 25ft (1.5 to 7.6m)
MLM Mini Pro Series: Three models ranging from 12 to 20ft (3.3 to 6.1m), designed with European markets in mind

As demand grew, LiftSmart quickly outgrew its original garage workspace, opening two manufacturing facilities and expanding into international markets in 2014.

Made in the USA

Domestic Manufacturing Advantage

All LiftSmart products are manufactured in the United States, with key components sourced from domestic suppliers including Colson Caster Company (Ohio) and Dutton-Lainson (Nebraska).

The company says this domestic supply chain enabled it to maintain production and delivery schedules during recent global supply chain disruptions, reinforcing reliability for rental customers.

Anniversary Giveaway and Product Preview

Celebrating with the Rental Industry

To mark its 15-year milestone, LiftSmart will give away a 15.8ft (4.8m) MLI-15 material lift at this year’s ARA Show. All rental company attendees are eligible to enter the draw at the LiftSmart booth, with the winner to be announced during the event.

LiftSmart will also preview new products, with further details to be revealed at the show.

Citron added:

“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. Without the support of this association and its members, we would not be where we are today.”

About LiftSmart

LiftSmart is a US-based manufacturer of portable material lifts designed for rental, industrial, and commercial applications. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in California, the company designs and manufactures its products in the United States, operating from production facilities in Vista, California.

LiftSmart’s range includes compact, easy-to-use material lifts engineered for durability, safety, and rental-fleet performance. With a strong focus on domestic manufacturing and close collaboration with the rental industry, LiftSmart continues to expand its product portfolio and global reach.

Website: https://www.liftsmart.com