PALFINGER Marks 100 Years of Work-Truck Manufacturing

PALFINGER marked 100 years of work-truck manufacturing rooted in Omaha Standard with a tree-planting ceremony at its Council Bluffs, Iowa, facility, where service cranes and crane bodies are produced. Pictured from left are: Ismael Daneluz, president of PALFINGER North America; James Bates, senior operations manager, PALFINGER North America; Dr. Cara Trede, executive director of Career EdVantage; Bailey McQueen, senior director of strategy, Career EdVantage; Jason Holt, vice president of operations, PALFINGER North America; Chris LaFerla, president & CEO, Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. 

PALFINGER marked 100 years of work-truck manufacturing with an October 2 celebration at its Council Bluffs, Iowa, facility, where PAL Pro mechanics truck bodies and service cranes are produced and assembled.

The company’s work-truck manufacturing history began with Omaha Standard in 1926. PALFINGER acquired Omaha Standard Inc. in 2008, bringing the company’s work-truck manufacturing operations into PALFINGER’s North American organization.

The centennial event was held in conjunction with National Manufacturing Day and brought together employees, retirees, and community members. The event also included a commemorative tree planting at the Council Bluffs facility.

“This milestone belongs to the generations of employees whose skill, dedication, and knowledge built the foundation of this operation, and to the customers and partners who have trusted that work for decades,” said Ismael Daneluz, president of PALFINGER North America. “Their pride and commitment continue to shape every PAL Pro mechanics truck we produce today. As we celebrate the past 100 years, we are equally focused on helping customers meet the challenges of the next century.”

Omaha Standard developed its work-truck manufacturing operations alongside customers in industries including farming, local trades, commercial fleets, and other businesses.

Today, PAL Pro mechanics truck bodies and service cranes are produced at the Council Bluffs facility for customers across North America. The facility’s workforce includes employees with long tenure at the company. Denny Nelson, a subassembly lead, recently marked 51 years with the company, while his father, brothers, and son bring the Nelson family’s combined service with the company to 169 years.

PALFINGER also said it continues to work with local schools and technical colleges to raise awareness of manufacturing careers and support workforce development.

The role of mechanics trucks has expanded from transporting tools to serving as mobile workspaces for technicians performing service and repair work in the field.

PAL Pro mechanics trucks support technicians in industries including construction, agriculture, and mining. Configurations can combine service cranes, compressors, organized storage, and other accessories for different applications.

“A mechanics truck today is much more than a place to carry tools,” said Brian Heffron, PALFINGER North America vice president, sales, service cranes & crane bodies. “Technicians need a truck that helps them work efficiently at the jobsite, with the lifting capability, storage, power, and equipment they need close at hand. Our job is to keep listening to how that work is changing and continue developing PAL Pro around those needs.”

PALFINGER said its PAL Pro customers are supported through dealers, service, parts, and technical resources.