Gorbel acquires Canadian firm

Victor manufacturer Gorbel Inc. has acquired Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc., a Canadian company based in Ontario. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

ELS is a manufacturer, designer and distributor of a wide portfolio of material handling products used in environments ranging from distribution centers to heavy manufacturing. Products include ergonomic conveyor systems for loading and unloading containers, overhead crane systems, transfer carts and more.

Integration of the two companies will begin immediately, officials said, and is expected to last throughout 2021.

“The acquisition of ELS allows Gorbel to build upon our mission to improve people’s lives beyond our traditional overhead lifting solutions,” said Gorbel CEO Brian Reh. “In particular, the Destuff-IT and Restuff-IT products that protect and assist employees in distribution centers enable Gorbel to effectively enter a market where we have had minimal presence in the past. Additionally, we intend to add many of ELS’s other products to our overhead lifting offering, thus better serving our traditional markets.”

Gorbel said in August that it would expand its footprint in Rochester by adding a facility in Henrietta. Company officials at the time predicted an increase in staff of 60, but last week said the increased demand for production is expected to create as many as 90 new jobs in the Rochester area during the next year.

Gorbel was founded in 1977 by David Reh. In 1990, Gorbel outgrew its small Fairport location and moved to its current location in Victor. Brian Reh, David Reh’s son, took over the company as president in 2004 and added CEO to his title in 2010. Last year, Brian Reh transitioned into the role of CEO and David Pritchard became the president and COO.

The company is a leader in overhead material handling, ergonomic lifting and industrial fall protection. Manufacturing locations include Victor and Henrietta, as well as facilities in Alabama, Arizona and China.

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