FAQ

Question 1

Where is SVI Located?

Accepted Answer

SVI currently operates two facilities.  The main facility outside of Chicago, IL is where cylinder production and much steel fabricating, machining and assembly is conducted.  The Chicago operation is also the main distribution point.  SVI also operates a distribution facility in Los Angeles, CA.  Both “Ready Ship” locations are intended to get parts to you quickly and for less in shipping costs.

Question 2

How long does it take to ship an order?

Accepted Answer

If the items ordered are standard popular stock items, generally, the order will ship within 1-2 business days.  Custom and special parts will take longer and an SVI account representative will discuss this upfront so everyone is aware of the timing involved to get a special or custom order shipped.

Question 3

What is the cut off time for next day air shipments?

Accepted Answer

There is no set rule; SVI will always make a strong effort to get every urgent shipment out.  So the cut-off time is the exhaust in our face as the UPS truck drives away in the late afternoon.  Also keep in mind if it is urgent enough, the Los Angeles area warehouse is open the latest in relation to the time zones to the east so UPS leaves that warehouse last.

Question 4

What are your hours of operation?

Accepted Answer

SVI account representatives on are hand between 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time Zone to help with questions and orders.

Question 5

Where are orders processed?

Accepted Answer

All orders are processed in the SVI facility just outside of Chicago, IL and routed out of the nearest warehouse or the nearest warehouse with stocked product for that ordered.

Question 6

Does SVI accept custom order requests?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is YES!  The long answer is that SVI has a “can do” attitude that is unprecedented in the industries it serves.  With a team of degreed mechanical engineers and other visionaries on staff, SVI is singularly the most problem solving and innovative company going.  Every day customers are asking for custom products and every day the answer is the same, YES!

Question 7

How many people work at SVI?

Accepted Answer

SVI employees nearly fifty people directly and hundreds indirectly through long-standing relationships and support of all the vendors and service providers necessary to help SVI function seamlessly.

Question 8

Does SVI accept all major credit cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa are all accepted but not Diners Club.

Question 9

Can SVI cross reference other companies' part numbers?

Accepted Answer

In general, YES!  If it is known to SVI and in the system, cross-referencing other part numbers is generally a breeze.  For example, if you need a wire rope equalizing cable assembly and only have the manufacturer’s number of say, for example, N372 it directly cross-references to SVI Direct Fit™ part number BH-7529-86.  Yes, it is just that easy.

Question 10

I know you sell repair parts for automotive shop equipment, but do you repair equipment?

Accepted Answer

No, SVI does not provide repair service but does know over 2,000 companies throughout North America that do provide repair service who can probably help you.

Question 11

How can I find a part that is not on the SVI website?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to do this is to contact us directly by phone or email and the information if available will be provided.

Question 12

Does SVI sell complete new automotive lifts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, SVI is one of the last standing All-American automotive lift manufacturers.  The automotive lift models produced by SVI are tried and true in nature and designed to last for decades of use.

Question 13

Does SVI make repair parts for discontinued or obsolete automotive lifts, other shop, or industrial equipment?

Accepted Answer

With over 50,000 part numbers in our catalog, SVI is the go to place for the broadest range of repair parts for all makes and models of lifts including legacy and current models.

Question 14

Can I use SVI automotive repair parts and product on any of my lifts?

Accepted Answer

The answer is a resounding YES! SVI has an intellectual property engineering data bank that extends back to the 1920’s. If SVI does not already have the information on a part you may need, we will still make it for you. There may be some help needed in terms of dimensions or the submission of a sample that will be returned. Once an obsolete or previously discontinued part is made available again, it essentially becomes available again forever and can easily made again the next time you may need the part.

Obsolete is a word SVI hardly understands. There are countless numbers of parts discontinued by others that are still available non-stop from SVI every day.

Obsolete is a word SVI hardly understands.  There are countless numbers of parts discontinued by others that are still available non-stop from SVI every day.

Question 15

Who are some of the companies SVI owns or has acquired over the years?

Accepted Answer

Ronflo Manufacturing, a producer of safety legs for single-post in-ground car lifts.

Globe Lift Company, once the world’s largest supplier of Automotive, bus and truck lifts.  Globe lift even produced special material handling cylinders for industrial applications and SVI continues with this to this very day.  SVI still builds Globe lifts with the FS-10AS model remaining very high in popularity.

Manitowoc Lift, formerly known as the Gilbarco Lift Division.  Gilbarco was once owned by Exxon and Manitowoc/Gilbarco lifts can still be found in use in full-service gas stations up and down the east coast.  If you want one of these lifts, SVI will happily produce it for you.

RELS Manufacturing, a producer of brake lathes for automotive and fleet vehicle servicing facilities.  RELS is also a full-line supplier of parts and consumables for use on many other makes and models of brakes lathes still found in use today.

Miller and Smith Manufacturing, a specialty large-item fabrication shop with equipment and personnel ideally suited for the needs of heavy-duty truck and bus lift production.

Question 16

Is SVI a member of the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)?

Accepted Answer

SVI is a not a member of ALI; however, SVI does support many ALI initiatives around inspection, proper maintenance, and safety.  SVI does contribute to ALI’s standards development Consensus Body.

Question 17

Beyond automotive, truck and bus lifts, and lift repair products, what else does SVI do?

Accepted Answer

What doesn’t SVI do?  From a full line of repair parts for lubrication and spray equipment to all kinds of parts for other equipment found in automotive shop facilities, SVI is your answer for many things.  Do you have a tire changer, brake lathe, air compressor or any other need?  If so, let SVI know, help is just a phone call away.

Steel hydraulic line tubing and tube fittings for fluid delivery systems are stock items.  SVI also manufactures fuel and portable waste oil transfer pumps as well as custom hydraulic cylinders for industrial applications of all sorts.  SVI even supplies seals and repair products for use in the petroleum equipment industry on fuel pumps and meters.  SVI is also the single largest supplier of repair parts for the former line of Gasboy Consumer Series fuel transfer pumps.

What are we forgetting?  Yes, and exhaust removal products, hydraulic seals, small equipment service lifts for ATV’s, golf carts, lawnmowers, etc.  This list goes on and on and even includes our Turf and Utility Vehicle  Attachments for two post surface mount automotive that are very popular with park districts, golf courses, and amusement parks just to name a few.

There is even more yet available like specialty lifting adapters for 2019 GM Trucks but you get the point!

Question 18

How did SVI get its start?

Accepted Answer

SVI started 50 some years ago with a strong background in the supply and manufacture of hydraulic seals and packing.  This included producing things like compression-molded rubber and fabric re-enforced vee rings and machining steel piston rings.  With a background like this so much becomes possible and off SVI went in growing the business to the size and excellent reputation we all enjoy today.

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