ABOUT US
Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc. (ELS) is a leading crane manufacturer in Ontario that provides standard and custom overhead material lifting systems & equipment. Since 1971, we have designed material handling solutions that allow our customers to accomplish their operational goals. The staff at ELS are dedicated to designing, manufacturing & installing crane systems which exceed our customer’s expectations.
ELS values safety. It’s an integral part of our company. Safety for our staff when they are working and safety built into our manufactured products. We have monthly Health & Safety training for our staff and scheduled refresher courses to comply with the Ministry of Labour and keep our employees safe.
A few of the company milestones are noted below:
Company Launched
Founded by Jim Muir in 1971. The primary focus of the business was related to structural steel fabrications. A significant customer at the time was Kraus Carpets as Mentor Dynamics helped construct the building, storage hoppers, and an extensive carpet handling system that is still in use today.
Low Friction Lining for Ships
In the mid 1970’s Jim Muir started working with the ship building industry to develop a low friction lining system to facilitate the movement of bulk materials in the holds of self-unloading ships. After the fastening process was patented, Mentor Dynamics eventually lined dozens of ships. Most of the original liners are still in place.
Mentor Dynamics sold to Carl Young
Carl Young purchased the company when it was located on Trillium Drive. Kitchener, ON. He incorporated it as Mentor Dynequip Inc. but kept Mentor Dynamics as the operating name because that’s how customers knew it. The focus was on designing and making small to mid-sized overhead cranes and gantry cranes. Mentor was also a distributor for hoist and specialty crane manufacturers.
New Ownership
The company was purchased by Paul Whittaker, P.Eng. It was operated as Mentor Dynamics, with the corporate name registered as Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc.
Name Change & Move
As of January 1, 2008 Mentor Dynamics moved to its own property and building in Elmira, ON. Coinciding with the move, the company also changed its name from Mentor Dynamics to Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc. to better communicate the essence of its business.
Additional Space
An addition was added to accomodate a Tooling Integration division of ELS.
Building Addition
Additional 8,100 square feet of warehouse and production space.
Plant 2 Opens
ELS opens a second manufacturing plant dedicated to the production of the Destuff-IT product line. This 9,300 square foot facility is located near the main plant in Elmira, ON Canada.
