Steve Napieralski: Leading with Purpose at OZ Lifting Products
- Meagan Wood
- Oct 17, 2025
- 2 min read
30 Second Takeaway
Steve Napieralski, President of OZ Lifting Products, has built a leadership reputation rooted in quality manufacturing, community investment, and long-term responsibility. Under his direction, the Winona, Minnesota–based lifting and rigging manufacturer continues to grow globally while maintaining a strong commitment to local charitable giving, safety, and workforce values.
From lifting products to lifting communities
As President of OZ Lifting Products, Steve Napieralski oversees a manufacturer known for producing lifting and rigging equipment used across construction, industrial, and material-handling markets worldwide. Headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, OZ Lifting Products operates through a global distributor network while maintaining its manufacturing and warehousing base in the US.
Beyond operational leadership, Napieralski has positioned community responsibility as a core part of the company’s identity
viewing business success and local impact as directly connected.
Charitable leadership and local impact
In 2025, OZ Lifting Products contributed more than $30,000 to charitable organisations supporting education, youth development, public safety, and health initiatives across Winona and surrounding communities.
Beneficiaries included:
Winona Area Public Schools
Winona YMCA
Winona Health Foundation
Winona Community Foundation
Goodview Fire Relief Association
National Child Safety Council
Mayo Clinic
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation – Operation Santa
Local youth, sports, and civic organisations
Napieralski has consistently emphasised that giving back is not optional, but a responsibility tied to long-term business success.
“We’re grateful for the success we’ve experienced here in Winona, and I believe it’s our responsibility to give back to the community that has supported us,” Napieralski said. “These organisations are doing incredible work, and I’m proud that OZ Lifting can play a small part in their efforts.” OZ Charitable Giving 2024 - PR …
Values-driven leadership in lifting and rigging
Founded in 2004, OZ Lifting Products has grown into a recognised supplier of safe, reliable lifting solutions, with a reputation built on product quality, customer service, and consistency. Napieralski’s leadership approach reinforces those same principles internally—focusing on accountability, safety culture, and long-term thinking rather than short-term gain.
This alignment between how products are built and how the company behaves has helped OZ Lifting Products maintain credibility in a sector where trust and reliability are critical.
A people-first philosophy
Whether supporting schools, first responders, healthcare providers, or youth programmes, Napieralski’s approach reflects a belief that strong communities create strong companies. That philosophy resonates within the crane and lifting industry, where workforce development, safety, and shared responsibility remain central challenges.
By anchoring growth to community engagement, Napieralski has helped position OZ Lifting Products as more than a manufacturer establishing it as a long-term industry partner with roots firmly planted in the communities it serves.
About Steve Napieralski
President: OZ Lifting Products
Industry Focus: Lifting and rigging equipment manufacturing
Leadership Themes: Quality, safety, community investment, long-term growth
Location: Winona, Minnesota
About OZ Lifting Products
OZ Lifting Products, LLC is a manufacturer of lifting and rigging equipment, headquartered and warehoused in Winona, Minnesota, with a global distributor network. Established in 2004, the company supplies lifting solutions to industries worldwide and is committed to product quality, customer service, and community involvement.
Website: https://www.ozliftingproducts.com
