As We Close Our Fiscal Year, Thank You for Your Partnership
A Message From Our Company President
As we reflect on the past year, there are clear reasons for optimism. We’ve seen U.S. economic resilience with moderating inflation, a strong sense of national pride through the 2026 Winter Olympics, and continued momentum in U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure investment. These are meaningful signals that the foundation for the next cycle is already taking shape.
At the same time, we recognize that the last 12 months have been challenging for capital equipment providers across our industry. From early recessionary signals to material supply pressures and tariff impacts, the environment has demanded resilience, adaptability, and strong execution. We continue to move forward, focused, disciplined, and ready to build on improving conditions.
During times like these, one thing becomes even more clear, customers matter more than ever. We sincerely appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us, your continued partnership, and the opportunity to support your operations through both steady and uncertain conditions. Together, these relationships position us well as we move into a stronger and more promising period ahead.
On a personal note, after a career spanning more than 45 years working with highly engineered equipment, I will be retiring in the first week of July 2026. My journey began in underground mining equipment with Eimco Jarvis Clark, a company known for its rugged, heavy-duty loading and material handling systems used in some of the most demanding environments in the world. I then transitioned into aviation, working with Menasco Aerospace and later Aerosystems International, where I supported the design and production of critical landing gear systems for both Boeing commercial aircraft and military carrier-based platforms—environments where precision, safety, and reliability are paramount.
Most notably and passionately, my time in the material handling industry, with Autoquip, OSCO, and J.A. Becker, has been incredibly rewarding. Working alongside talented teams to deliver engineered lifting solutions across a wide range of applications has been both professionally fulfilling and personally meaningful. At Autoquip, we remain grounded in what has always driven our success: great people delivering well-engineered solutions for great customers. That foundation has enabled us to navigate recent challenges and positions us well as conditions improve.
Looking ahead, we remain confident in our core business and strategic direction, as our dual-market strategy across U.S. and German operations begins to take shape. This includes the startup of J.A. Becker heavy-duty service lift systems in Guthrie, OK, supporting transit authority “Made in America” initiatives, alongside the planned expansion of scissor lift and freight lift production capabilities in Germany to better serve and grow the European market.
This approach strengthens our global position and enhances our ability to serve customers on both sides of the Atlantic with greater flexibility and responsiveness. As the market accelerates, our team is well-prepared to support you in the next cycle with the same commitment to quality, performance, and partnership you’ve come to expect.
Thank you again for your continued trust in Autoquip. We value the relationships we’ve built and look forward to supporting your success in the years ahead.
Warm regards,
Chris Kuehni, President