Features
ML-Truck Equipment: Doing HIAB’s heavy lifting in British Columbia

The first HIAB articulating crane came rolling into Canada in 1953. Since then, Canada’s exclusive distributor has been growing and building one of the country’s top truck-mounted equipment sales and service dealer networks.

ML-Truck Equipment opened on Mar. 1, 2020, in Abbotsford, B.C., on a site chosen for maximum customer convenience. It’s the newest addition to that national network as HIAB’s exclusive authorized sales and service dealer in British Columbia. It joins ARW Truck Equipment in Alberta, Saskatchewan and eastern British Columbia, Grainmaster in Manitoba, Atlas Polar cross-Canada and HIAB Québec.

Photo courtesy of ML-Truck Equipment

While its name may be new, the experience and support behind it are not. ML-Truck Equipment is a partnership between the distributor, Atlas Polar, and MasonLift, a materials handing service in British Columbia. It’s the newest family member of these two family-owned businesses, which, together, have been servicing materials handling businesses for nearly 80 years, and more than 70 years, respectively.

“Establishing ML-Truck Equipment together made great sense for our businesses, our brands and our customers,” says Jeff Larson, vice president and general manager at MasonLift. “There was a real need for better coverage for HIAB cranes in the province. With over 70 factory-trained technicians and six locations spanning B.C., plus a mobile fleet, that’s a problem solved for HIAB customers.”

Photo courtesy of ML-Truck Equipment

“Coverage is not the only advantage to our HIAB customers,” says Stirling Robertson, branch manager at ML-Truck Equipment. “With Canada’s only distributor and B.C.’s most recognized and established service network behind us, our customers can be confident knowing they have factory-direct pricing, the newest products, most up-to-date HIAB training, technology and authorized parts in B.C..”

Stirling Robertson, branch Manager at ML-Truck Equipment. Photo courtesy of ML-Truck Equipment

Stirling’s move to ML-Truck Equipment and the decision to move his family across the country didn’t require a big leap of faith – even with the challenges and unknowns of COVID-19.

He already had deep ties to British Columbia – his father emigrated there as a logger in the ‘60s. The career-shift made sense too. He’s one of the most experienced HIAB technical specialists in North America. And with more than 15 years as senior technical support at Atlas Polar, he’d experienced first-hand how trust, integrity and outstanding customer service forms the basis of relationships lasting generations. He brought that experience, confidence, commitment and longevity with him.

Photo courtesy of ML-Truck Equipment

Construction, municipal work, forestry, railway and other crane-reliant industries are essential services and HIAB sales and support needed to be there for them. Safety has to come first in this industry. Thanks to proactive health and safety measures the network has been able to remain open and continue to meet customer needs.

ML-Truck Equipment is already growing. In response to requests from some of B.C.’s key industries, the company has added ‘Exclusive authorized sales and service dealer of the full HIAB-Jonsered family of LOGLIFT truck-mounted forestry, railway and recycling cranes to its offerings.

“We’re really lucky,” says Stirling. “With so many businesses shutting down or slowed down by the challenges we’re facing, we all feel so grateful to be here, be strong, and able to support our HIAB, Moffett and Multilift customers, even better than ever before.”