Our History
1977
SVI got its start in a small facility on LaSalle Street in Aurora, Illinois. At that time the company was known as Valley Packing and Seal (VPS). VPS was founded as a supplier of all types of hydraulic seals including those for In-Ground Lifts. Our Founder’s first major seal account was the Weaver Lift Company in Springfield, Illinois.
1990
Searle Valley, Inc. (SVI) moved into its headquarters to a newly constructed facility in Elburn, Illinois, just twelve miles from our original location in Aurora, Illinois.
1991
August, Searle Valley, Inc. opened its second “Ready Ship” warehouse located in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. The opening of this warehouse moved the product line closer to its customers in the Western United States and reduced downtime for automotive lift service companies and lift operators and owners.
1992
As part of its business expansion plan and celebration over the success of the new California warehouse the company name was changed to SVI International
1993
SVI introduces a variety of new safety related products such as automatic locking devices and safety legs to help automotive lift owners get their equipment up to OSHA standards.
1994
February, SVI became the largest single supplier of repair parts for Weaver automotive lifts. During the same year SVI started offering complete in-ground lifts and lift replacement sections. This product line greatly benefits heavy duty lift users such as transit authorities, municipalities, school bus garages and all other types of vehicle maintenance facilities. Today, we remain one of the preferred suppliers for real in-ground lifts that are built to last, easy to maintain and are of a robust design.
1997
March, SVI stunned the automotive lift industry by announcing the addition of over 1300 high quality popular repair parts for Rotary lifts.
1998
April, SVI acquired the assets of Ronflo Manufacturing, which resulted in many new capabilities including an expanded custom safety leg program.
1999
January, SVI formed a subsidiary company called Valley Precision Seal, which specializes in the design and distribution of rotary and reciprocating seals. Today, one of VPS’s specialties is oil seals used in the auto racing industry. When you watch a race, chances are you are also watching our seals go around the track or down the strip.
2001
February, SVI invented the drop-in rack and pinion equalizer kit for use on Rotary DTO-28 lifts. This kit has been instrumental in prolonging the useful service lift of these once I-beam equalized lifts.
2002
December, SVI acquires Globe Lift, one of the US’s oldest and most well respected automotive and material handling lift companies. Globe Lift was once the World’s largest manufacturer of automotive lifts and Globe Lifts are still found and sold all over the World.
2003
May, a new line of American Made stainless steel alignment turn plates is introduced for use in front wheel alignment applications.
2003
August, The doorJammer Pro hits the market with big fanfare and provides unparalleled protection from door damage caused by the door hitting the lift column when existing and entering the vehicle. Hertz car rental begins implementing use of the doorJammer Pro in its vehicle maintenance facilities.
2004
April, SVI announces the development of a new safety leg for single post lifts. This patent-pending product allows owners of single post lifts to add a multiple position locking safety with the turn of one bolt. This product provides full compliance to the current A.N.S.I. standard and satisfies the needs of O.S.H.A. inspectors
2005
March, “Aqua Out” is unveiled. “Aqua Out” is a revolutionary new patent-pending lift product that protects owners of high-pressure low volume cassette style lifts from unwanted moisture build up. The unwanted moisture may lead to potential rapid corrosion of the steel structure on these style lifts.
2007
May, SVI creates a Recreational new division. This division is dedicated to supplying recreational boat lift dealers with a broad array of repair parts for all types of boat lifts. Popular items include replacement winch tube assemblies and aluminum bunk components as well as cables and pulleys.
2007
May, SVI receives US Patent No. 7,219,768 for its exclusive Multi-Position Top Release (MPTR) safety leg making SVI the only company to ever solve this need and allow pre-existing lifts to be brought into conformance and satisfy OSHA inspector requirements.
2009
May, SVI becomes the sole supplier of repair parts for Gasboy Consumer Series Pumps and quickly tools up on over one hundred different items. Gasboy Consumer Series Pumps are widely used by agricultural growers on bulk fuel tanks to transfer fuel to equipment. Gasboy repair parts are introduced as SVI’s William Douglas brand because good things should last.
2009
August, SVI relocated to its current location in DeKalb, IL. The move provided a more suitable facility with over 10,000 amps of electric service for manufacturing. The 55,000 square foot building is on 7.25 acres allowing for plenty of future building expansion. Prior to SVI’s relocation, the site was formerly used by General Mills, American Trailer and Caterpillar.
2010
November, SVI acquires the assets of Manitowoc Lifts on November 10, 2010 and creates a new SVI subsidiary called Manitowoc Lifts and Manufacturing (MLM). Manitowoc Lift is now an SVI Brand and SVI will continue to produce the product line and lift models to the same robust specifications.
2012
June, SVI introduces “DUSL” a new modern design cylinder that incorporates components that can be used to make older Globe and Weaver lifts like new again. “DU” stands for dual upper and “SL” stands for single lower or “DUSL” and this system provides for rock solid performance of in-ground automotive lift systems.
2013
May, SVI’s patented MPTR product is required by CSST (Occupational Health and Safety Commission) officials in Quebec, Canada for use on all existing single post in-ground lifts. Popular lifts makes of this style found in Canada include Ford Smith, Rotary and, Weaver. MPTR’s provide simple and easy to install compliance to meet current standard allowing for multiple locking positions throughout the stroke of the automotive lift.
2013
August, SVI introduces new MPAL system for use on all side by side Globe to bring them into compliance with ANSI Standard. MPAL means Multi-Position Auto Lock and can be easily added to the lift so the locking mechanism is engaged throughout the entire stroke of the lift. The system automatically resets for operation each time the lift is fully lowered.
2013
August, SVI’s subsidiary Manitowoc Lifts and Mfg. (MLM) introduces a new line of Small Equipment Shop Maintenance lifts known as SESM Platform lifts. These lifts are very popular with mechanics in small equipment maintenance shops that service golf carts, ATV’s lawn mowers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and general landscaping equipment.
2014
February, SVI engineering worked diligently and solved a lifting requirement for the General Motors production line that is used to produce the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR. Every one of these GM produced vehicles is raised for final inspection on an SVI lifting solution before leaving the plant and ultimately hitting the road.
2015
May, SVI engineering adds a new twist to the ever-popular small equipment shop maintenance lifts by providing a 360° rotating work surface platform with a safety leg. This is an industry first accomplishment and has become one of the company’s most sought after products used by the outdoor power equipment industry.
2016
January, SVI introduces the SC-363. This is the first and only lift specifically designed for owners of Porsche 911 model (G-Series, 964, 993, 996, 996.2, 997) performance cars. This lift is only popular to those that own 911 Porsche models or service them on a regular basis. These lifts incorporate the SVI 360° rotation feature with the added security of a multiple height position safety leg. The rotational feature allows for the rear engine car to be pulled straight in and then be rotated around so the engine is facing the workbench. It is also functional and easily adapted for any other style of mid or rear engine high-performance cars, such as Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s or McLaren’s.
2017
October, SVI becomes the leading and largest full-line supplier of replacement hose stops / hose bumpers used on all the various makes of hose reels found across the industry. Hose reels are popular in automotive shops but can also be found just about everywhere like on construction vehicles, fire trucks, ships, offshore drilling rigs, fuel delivery and on and on.
2017
November, SVI re-introduces turf equipment and utility vehicle attachments for use on two post automotive lifts. An SVI wholly owned subsidiary was the first to ever invent turf attachments for lifts back in September of 1997. SVI has the largest most customizable selection of turf and utility attachments for lifts in the industry. Featuring two specific styles “HSR” and “LPO” plus a broad range of available options makes SVI the number one supplier to golf courses, park districts, municipalities, and ATV dealers just to name a few or the industry segments supported.
2018
August, SVI officially becomes the industry’s largest selection provider of specialty lifting adapters for 2019 model year GM trucks. Model 1500 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra use a new frame configuration that is lower and wider toward the front of these trucks. In order to properly and safely lift these vehicles without damage new adapters must be used when lifting on an automotive lift. SVI has the single largest selection of GM Truck adapters for many makes and models of lifts to make properly lifting these vehicles possible.
2018
June, SVI acquired RELS Manufacturing, Inc. a leading producer of brake resurfacing lathes used in automotive and heavy duty vehicle fleet service facilities. The acquisition of RELS demonstrates SVI’s firm commitment to the automotive service equipment industry. Wheel and brake service products have been an important part of the ever-growing SVI success story.
All names, numbers, symbols and descriptions are used for reference purposes only. It is not implied that any part listed is the product of these manufacturers. SVI does not represent and is not associated in any way with any other companies.