Xtreme's XRM 5519 Low Boom

Xtreme Manufacturing Inc is adding to its line of telescopic handler lifts and, by the end of 2009, expects to offer the most complete range of telehandlers manufactured in North America.

Extreme is designing and manufacturing "lower, middle and larger models" with lifting capacities from 5,000 pounds (2,250 kg) to, soon, 30,000 pounds (13,500 kg), says Lee Kramer, president of Xtreme Manufacturing. The largest size is in final development.

Kramer compares the eventual broad Xtreme range with those of other North American telehandler suppliers including Oshkosh Corp's JLG Industries unit; Terex Corp "in the middle and lower" equipment sizes; and Linamar Corp's Skyjack subsidiary and Cargotec Corp's Kalmar RT unit with large-size models.

Another Xtreme competitor, Ancenis, France-based Manitou Group, markets a wide range of telehandlers in the US under the Manitou, Gehl and Mustang brands. Currently, Manitou builds components and most products in France, Italy and China and is boosting US manufacturing activities in Waco, Texas and Yankton and Madison, South Dakota.

Xtreme makes four rough-terrain straight-mast forklift models of 6,000 to 12,000 pounds (2,700 to 5,400 kg) and competes with product lines from Taylor Machines Works Inc, Wiggins Lift Co Inc and Eagle Picher, Kramer notes.

Xtreme focuses on assembly functions at its 65,000-square-foot (5,850 sqm) headquarters facility in Las Vegas and handles most fabrication at its 80,000-square-foot (7,200 sqm) site in Selma, California, about 20.5 miles south of Fresno.

Xtreme introduced its largest machine to date at the 3-6 February exhibition during Hanley Wood LLC's 2009 World of Concrete event in Las Vegas. The XRM 1534 model has capacity to lift 15,000 pounds (6,750 kg) to a height of 34 feet (10.2 m) and carries a list price of USD170,000.

In the US market, Xtreme distributes three small telehandler models that Dieci Srl manufactures in Montecchio Emilia, Italy. "We have exclusive rights to market and sell that product," Kramer says. The low-pivot telescopic boom Dieci units have lifting capacities of 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 pounds (2,250, 2,700 and 3,150 kg).

"With the current business climate and (foreign) exchange rates, that relationship from a business side is difficult to work with," Kramer notes. Xtreme and Dieci began collaborating in early 2005.

Kramer observes slower sales. "A lot of our business depends on projects, but we have not seen concepts or projects for six to eight months," he says. "We are able to manage the business well, and we do not have an excessive amount of inventory."

Kramer warns against the current tendency to get excited about business possibilities. "Right now, any movement or activity seems to excite us," but, a year earlier, a comparable business indicator would not have caused a person to blink his or her eyes, he says.

Family-owned Xtreme had 2008 sales of USD49.5 million and employs 55 persons, down from 120 in late 2008. "We had major reductions in the fourth quarter," Kramer says.

In another product line, Xtreme designs and manufactures truck beds for attachment to the chassis of customized delivery trucks.

Don Ahern owns Xtreme and also owns and is president of Ahern Equipment Rentals, a Las Vegas-based firm that had 2008 sales of USD329.5 million.