Year Established: 1972
Industry/Services: Manufacturing overhead bridge cranes & Material Handling Equipment
Business Address: 531 Old Swede Rd, Douglassville PA, 19518
Website: www.americancrane.com
Founders’ Names: Oddvar Norheim
Current Generation in Leadership: 2nd Generation
Names & Roles of Family Members Active in the Business:
- Karen Norheim (Oddvar’s Daughter) – CEO
- Stephanie Delibertis (Oddvar’s Daughter) Owner & Executive Director of Outreach and Development
- Taylor Suzenski (Stephanie’s Daughter) Innovation Special Projects Engineer
Is there a succession plan in place? YES
What is the mission or core purpose of your company?
American Crane’s core purpose is to engineer and deliver highly customized overhead lifting solutions that make our customers’ lives easier and their operations safer, more reliable and more efficient. Guided by our vision to be the overhead lifting company most respected for our people and our products, we are passionate about delighting customers by doing what we commit to do, doing it well and doing it on schedule. Living by our Always Lift. Never Quit. spirit, we act with integrity and approach every challenge with perseverance, accountability and respect for the people who depend on our work.
What products/services make your business unique?
American Crane is unique in its ability to engineer, manufacture and support highly customized overhead lifting solutions for complex and high consequence applications. Unlike standard crane suppliers, we specialize in purpose-built systems designed to meet exact customer requirements, often for environments where safety, precision and reliability are critical. Our capabilities span the full lifecycle of a crane, from concept and engineering through fabrication, installation, modernization and long-term service, allowing us to serve as a trusted partner rather than just a vendor. This combination of deep engineering expertise, custom manufacturing and enduring customer support sets American Crane apart in the overhead lifting industry.
In what ways does your business support or engage with the Berks County community?
American Crane actively supports the Berks County Community through our Hoist Up! Outreach Initiative. Hoist Up! is designed to rally our employees together as we support individuals and partner with impactful organizations. Every initiative reflects our conviction that even small actions can bring about lasting change.
What goals or plans do you have for the future of your business?
American Crane’s future goals are centered on growing our team, expanding our capabilities and continuing to innovate in the overhead lifting industry. We are committed to investing in our people through recruiting, training, and career development to ensure we have the expertise needed to support increasingly complex customer requirements. At the same time, we are advancing our capabilities through the introduction of smart crane technology, enhanced controls and data driven solutions that improve safety, reliability, and operational insight for our customers. By strengthening both our workforce and our technical offerings, we aim to deliver even greater long-term value while remaining a trusted partner for critical lifting applications.