Snorkel history

1977 Snorkel entered the construction/industrial market with the first Telescopic boom type machine used to lift persons to height.

1988 The company capitalized on an opportunity to complement its already successful boom range with the acquisition of Economy Engineering – a leading manufacturer of self-propelled scissor lifts and ground entry vertical lift work platforms.

1989 The company then expanded Snorkel to include manufacturing facilities in Levin, New Zealand and sales and service offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.

1997 Snorkel became part of OmniQuip International Inc., who decided to sell the fire and rescue apparatus product lines and focus on the AWP division.

The fire and rescue product line was sold in 1998 to American LaFrance, a subsidiary of Freightliner.

Elwood Holdings LLC purchased Snorkel OmniQuip and re-opened the plant in Elwood, Kansas, which had been closed in 2001.

2002 Snorkel was purchased from OmniQuip by a group of investors known as the Elwood Holdings LLC headed by Al Havlin.

2004 Bluelift was founded by the Marti family in Italy.

2007 UK-based The Tanfield Group Plc purchased Snorkel in 2007 from Elwood Holdings LLC, and created a global distribution network for the AWPs.

2010 The Tanfield Group introduces new branding for Snorkel, creating a consistent global brand and product line.

2013 Xtreme Manufacturing LLC acquired the Snorkel business in 2013, purchasing 51% of the company from Tanfield Group Plc.

2014 Ahern International, owned by Don Ahern, rebrands the Snorkel Australia and Snorkel Japan operations as Ahern Australia and Ahern Japan respectively, offering both sales and service of Snorkel and Xtreme equipment.

2015 Rental Editor's Choice AwardsSnorkel Electric Slab Scissor Lifts

2016 Bluelift became RUTHMANN Italia S.r.l., a division of the RUTHMANN Group, who are a well-established German manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial lifts.

2017 Ahern Canada was opened in Edmonton, Alberta providing sales, service and parts for Snorkel and Xtreme Manufacturing equipment in Canada.

2018 Roads & Bridges Contractor's Choice BronzeSnorkel A46JRT

2019 Access, Lift & Handlers Product InnovationSnorkel S3019E

2020 Rental Editor's Choice AwardsSnorkel 2100SJ