Crane Carrier Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Truck manufacturing |
| Founded | 1946 in New Philadelphia, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Robert Zeligson |
| Fate | Acquired by Battle Motors in 2021 |
| Successor | Battle Motors |
| Headquarters | New Philadelphia , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Chassis for construction and refuse trucks, specialized vehicles including long-haul trucks, wheeled loaders, drilling rigs, terminal tractors, aircraft refueling equipment |
| Owner | Battle Motors |
| Parent | Battle Motors |
Crane Carrier Company (CCC) specialized in producing chassis for construction and refuse trucks. Established in 1946 by Robert Zeligson in New Philadelphia, Ohio, CCC became part of Battle Motors through an acquisition in 2021.
The company’s hallmark truck configuration was the Cab-Beside-Engine (CBE), also known as the half-cab design, prominently featured in the Century II Unimixer model. This layout facilitated the transport of crane booms, supporting CCC's core business focus.
History
CCC began its operations by refurbishing surplus military vehicles from World War II for civilian crane applications. By 1953, the company had developed its own proprietary truck and broadened its product range to include over-the-road vehicles tailored for industries such as concrete mixing, logging, mining, and construction, along with wheeled loaders.
In the 1970s, CCC transitioned to producing two-seat models like the Centaur. The Centurion line introduced low-entry trucks with engines positioned behind the cab, primarily designed for waste collection purposes and equipped with dual control systems.
Throughout the early to mid-1990s, CCC manufactured Type D school bus chassis that were utilized by Carpenter Body Company and Wayne Corporation.
Zeligson Trucks was divested in 1980 and operated separately for nearly a decade. In 2008, Illinois Tool Works acquired CCC along with its parent company CCI Corp., preserving CCC as an independent division.
In June 2013, ownership transferred to Hines Corporation, which moved CCC’s headquarters back to New Philadelphia, Ohio. Hines then combined CCC with Kimble Manufacturing to create Hines Specialty Vehicle Group, concentrating on custom heavy-duty chassis serving refuse and recycling sectors, infrastructure maintenance, ground support operations, agriculture, oil and gas industries, and concrete mixer applications.
CCC reestablished itself as an independent entity in 2019 under two distinct brands: Crane Carrier Company (focused on truck chassis) and Crane Carrier Company Engineered Chassis. Later that year, Turnspire Capital Partners acquired the firm. In April 2021, Battle Motors purchased CCC to enhance its efforts in electrifying Class 7 and 8 vocational trucks.
Operations
CCC produces specialized vehicles including long-haul trucks, wheeled loaders, drilling rigs for oil and water wells, terminal tractors, and aircraft refueling equipment. Customers have the option to customize their vehicles by selecting proprietary engines and transmissions in line with industry practices.