About Us
Elevating Access Since 1955Sky Climber® is a global leader in suspended access systems, engineering safe and reliable equipment for use in industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects around the world.
Headquartered in Delaware, Ohio, with manufacturing and service locations across North America and Europe, Sky Climber designs, manufactures, and distributes a wide range of hoists, platforms, rigging systems, and custom-engineered solutions for vertical access.
Founded in 1955 as a division of Western Gear Corporation, Sky Climber pioneered the first powered suspended scaffold hoist, forever changing the way the world works at height. That spirit of innovation still drives us—70 years later.
From turbine towers to high-rises, bridges to stadiums, our systems are trusted across industries to deliver safe access, superior engineering, and dependable service.
Our mission is simple: Help people work smarter, safer, and higher—every day.
Our Journey Through the Decades
From a single innovation in a California workshop to a global standard in suspended access, Sky Climber’s story spans more than seven decades of problem-solving, progress, and partnership. Here’s a look at the milestones that shaped who we are today.
The Beginning of an Industry
In the 1950s, high-rise construction surged across the U.S., creating a critical need for safer and more efficient access systems. An engineer from Western Gear’s rescue hoist division reimagined the man-rated hoist into something revolutionary: a powered suspended scaffold. The M3 was born—Sky Climber’s first hoist model and the start of a brand-new industry.
A Brand Takes Shape
Sky Climber was officially founded in 1955 as a division of Western Gear Corporation, which had moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Lynwood, California in 1952. Western Gear, originally established in 1888 by the Banan family, remained Sky Climber’s parent company until 1982.
First Steps Abroad
In 1962, British entrepreneur Roger Kent began selling Sky Climber hoists out of his home in the U.K.—marking the brand’s first foray into international markets and setting the stage for global expansion.
Original Factory in Kontich, Belgium
Western Gear Europe was officially incorporated in Belgium in 1969, and by 1970, the first Sky Climber Europe factory opened in Antwerp. The European division covered all global territories except the Americas and Japan, rapidly growing Sky Climber’s international reach.
Advancing Innovation
The 1970s and ’80s were marked by a wave of product innovation—introducing the Alpha hoist, Compact hoist, and the first Permanent Installation (PI) systems with platform-mounted hoists. Sky Climber became a go-to provider for complex access solutions worldwide.
A Strategic Move
In a strategic relocation, Sky Climber moved its U.S. operations from California to Stone Mountain, Georgia—closer to key customers and with greater operational efficiency.
Changing Hands, Staying Focused
In 1982, Western Gear was acquired by Bucyrus Erie, an American mining equipment company. Between 1980 and 1986, Sky Climber also manufactured hydraulic scissor lifts out of a Mexican-based facility. These units were widely distributed to startup rental fleets worldwide. For a time, Sky Climber operated under the name Becor Western before being divested in 1986.
Privately Held & Poised for Growth
Following its divestment, Sky Climber operated as a privately held company through the late ’80s and ’90s. While smaller in size, the company preserved its engineering focus and reputation for quality.
A New Era of Growth & Global Reach
In the early 2000s, a group of entrepreneurs acquired Sky Climber with a bold vision: to reinvest in innovation and restore the company’s industry leadership. That same spirit has fueled remarkable growth—transforming Sky Climber into a globally recognized brand serving work-at-height industries in over 70 countries.
Global Reach, Local Commitment
Sky Climber serves a diverse range of industries across five continents, with manufacturing, engineering, and service support from locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Our products and systems are trusted by contractors, engineers, and facility managers around the world—because we don’t just build access equipment; we engineer confidence.
With an expanding network of partners and subsidiaries, we support everything from iconic infrastructure projects to energy transition, offering fast response and expert guidance wherever the job demands it.
Serving Critical Industries
We provide suspended access solutions for mission-critical projects across sectors, including:
Construction & Restoration
High-rise buildings, bridges, stadiums, historic structures
Industrial Maintenance
Refineries, manufacturing facilities, tanks, towers, silos, and offshore platforms
Infrastructure & Transport
Dams, tunnels, airports, rail systems
Power Generation
Wind turbines, hydro facilities, and energy facilities
Specialty Applications
Art installations, arenas, monuments, civil works
Engineering Excellence
Sky Climber equipment is designed and manufactured to meet the highest safety and performance standards, including CE, UL, and ANSI compliance. Every system is engineered with durability, modularity, and field serviceability in mind—whether it’s a custom monorail or a rugged hoist built for extreme environments.
- In-house R&D and engineering teams
- Globally certified safety and testing protocols
- Customer-specific configurations for challenging access points
- Training programs to support safe usage and maintenance
Join Us in Elevating the Future
Whether you’re planning your next project, looking for a trusted access partner, or exploring a career in safe vertical access—Sky Climber is here to support you.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep climbing.