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Like many innovative products, the story of Gray Manufacturing begins with necessity. While operating a tire shop in St. Joseph, Missouri, J.H. Gray encountered the daily challenge of quickly and efficiently changing or repairing a tire. Before long, the innovative mind of J.H. Gray was hard at work, and he secured his first patent in 1921.
In 1952, J.H. Gray and his son, Joe, founded Gray Manufacturing, offering an air end lift jack that would change the automotive repair industry. Their brand quickly gained recognition as Gray lifting equipment became a fixture in service stations, car dealerships and auto repair shops. They soon included truck lifts for heavy-duty trucks in their product line.
You’ve heard that America runs on oil. It may be more accurate to say that America runs on trucks, and those trucks depend on Gray Manufacturing. Since 1952, Gray Manufacturing has supported the truck repair and maintenance industry with the highest quality service equipment.
Now a fourth-generation family-owned business, Gray Manufacturing was started by J. H. Gray and his son, Joe Gray. Their simple, yet reliable air end lift jack quickly became an essential for car dealers, service stations, automotive repair and tire shops. A revolutionary “try it before you buy it” approach ensured that Gray Manufacturing soon had a reputation for quality and innovation.
Gray Manufacturing’s products eventually included the service of heavy-duty trucks, and the company became known for quality equipment for the heavy-duty truck service industry. An investment in a Gray Manufacturing product guaranteed that truck service shops could offer uninterrupted, excellent service to their customers.
The company’s ongoing success is managed by the grandson of J.H. Gray and son of Joe Gray: Pete Gray, CEO. In his role at the helm of Gray Manufacturing, Pete Gray continues the legacy of its founders, providing high-quality equipment with a focus on unparalleled service after the sale.
The company's fourth generation of leadership, Pete Gray's son Mitchell Gray, has joined the company, ensuring Gray family leadership for many years to come.
Joe founded Gray Manufacturing in 1952 with his father, J.H. Gray. Together, he and his Father designed and built the BF-100, a pneumatic bumper jack, this was the beginning of Gray Manufacturing. For the next 70 years Joe lead and grew the family business through his entrepreneurial vision and his understanding of the company mission, TO SERVE THE CUSTOMER.
Pete Gray serves as the third generation of Gray family ownership and leadership. Starting in the family business in 1989, Pete has held many different roles, to include CEO since 2003. As CEO and an involved owner, he assures the continuity and consistency of the Gray heritage that continues to make the customer successful.
Stet Schanze has been with Gray Manufacturing since 2001 servicing in various capacities and has over 30 years of executive level management experience. Service as President since 2006 he oversees the overall day-to-day operations and leads the strategic direction of the company which has achieved exponential growth in recent years. He is the recent Chairman and past board member for eleven (11) years for the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). ALI pursues a mission of promoting safe design, construction, installation, inspection, and use of automotive and truck lift products. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry which is the state’s largest and most influential business association working to advance Missouri businesses.
Mike Hurst has been with Gray Manufacturing since 2002. Mike has over 25 years of manufacturing operations management experience, serving in several different capacities. As Vice President of Manufacturing, he oversees all plant manufacturing activities to include production planning and purchasing functions as well as all facilities maintenance duties.
Todd Michalski came to Gray Manufacturing in 2008 with over 15 years of heavy duty truck facility, operations, marketing and sales experience. As Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing he oversees all sales efforts to include direct, distribution, export and private label. He also directs all tradeshow activity, internet commerce and company marketing functions. Todd currently serves as a board member for the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), is a member of the ALI Marketing Committee and provides leadership on numerous local charitable boards.
Matt Holtman joined Gray Manufacturing in 2012 as a product design engineer shortly after graduating from engineering school. Since then, he has held a variety of management roles across engineering, manufacturing, and quality. Now, as Director of Engineering, Matt leads our design and manufacturing engineering teams as well as our prototype/tooling and quality departments. Matt also serves as an industry advisor on boards for Hillyard Technical Center and the Department of Engineering Technology at Missouri Western State University.
To design, manufacture, sell, and service with pride innovative, high quality, and reliable professional service equipment for the automotive, truck and service vehicle industries.
Gray Manufacturing, the ultimate choice globally for value, service and innovation in the lifting and service equipment industry.
At Gray Manufacturing, your ability to offer your customers the highest level of service is the first priority. From the initial purchase to service after the sale, Gray Manufacturing takes pride in providing high-quality, innovative service equipment supporting all sizes of transport and service vehicles
Gray Manufacturing equipment is an investment in a dependable, quality product. This means that while you may pay a little more initially, you’re investing in a premium product. Gray Manufacturing products are designed to endure year after year of harsh conditions in your shop environment, providing years of uninterrupted productivity.
Gray Manufacturing is proud to offer products that are made in the United States, celebrating American ingenuity in the manufacturing and workmanship of quality lifting and service equipment. That pride extends to a personal level, where an environment of trust, teamwork and personal growth are hallmarks of the Gray Manufacturing work experience.