American Crane Corporation
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction equipment manufacturing |
| Predecessor | American Hoist & Derrick |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Headquarters | Wilmington, North Carolina , United States |
| Products | Lattice boom crawler cranes, terrain cranes, tower cranes |
| Parent | Terex (since 1998) |
American Crane Corporation, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a U.S. producer specializing in construction cranes. The company manufactures lattice boom crawler cranes with lifting capacities ranging from 50 to 275 tons, alongside terrain and tower crane models. Established in 1882 under the name Franklin Manufacturing Company, it was renamed American Hoist & Derrick in 1892. In 1998, Terex purchased American Crane Corporation for $27 million, incorporating lattice boom crane production into its business offerings.
Early Years: 1884–1892
Franklin Manufacturing Company was established in 1884 by Frank Johnson and Oliver Crosby in St. Paul, Minnesota. The firm was renamed American Manufacturing Company in 1885. In 1886, Oliver Crosby developed a wire rope clamp designed to preserve cable integrity. The company introduced steam-powered hoists in 1889 and later advanced to producing electric hoists up to 15 horsepower, marking significant progress in construction machinery.
American Hoist & Derrick (AmHoist): 1892–1985
The organization adopted the name American Hoist & Derrick in 1892, maintaining this identity for over a century. In 1895, it launched the Traveling Derrick, recognized as the first mobile crane featuring a revolving derrick and steam hoist mounted on rail-car wheels. Oliver Crosby created the ditcher in 1904—a flatcar-mounted crane intended for soil excavation alongside railroad tracks. The debut of the initial crawler crane in 1923 improved crane mobility substantially. American Hoist & Derrick expanded its global presence with the establishment of the Yokohama Warehouse in 1905. Its cranes were instrumental in significant infrastructure projects such as the Panama Canal and Mount Rushmore. By 1983, the company had reached number 467 on the Fortune 500 list, generating revenues of $464.2 million.
American Crane Corporation
In 1985, the company underwent a rebranding to Amdura and was acquired by investors who formed American Crane Corporation. Terex later acquired this corporation in 1998. Following this acquisition, American Crane steadily grew its market presence, selling around 70 crawler cranes during 1999.