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In 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.
In 1988 pending the sale of the industrial side of the VPS business Doug Climenhaga was brought in to head up and expand the company's role in the lift industry.
In 1989 the industrial seal side of the VPS business was sold to a major international company headquartered in Holland and our name was subsequently changed to Searle Valley, Inc. As the business grew and we became a larger and larger part of the lift industry, more space was required for our vast inventory.
In December 1990 we moved into our newly constructed facility in Elburn, Illinois, just twelve miles from Aurora.
In 1991 we opened our second "Ready Ship" warehouse located in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. This opening of this warehouse moved our product line closer to our customers in the Western United States and reduced downtime for lift owners.
In 1992 as part of our business expansion plan and celebration over the success of the new California warehouse our name was changed to SVI International, Inc.
In February 1994 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. 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.
In September 1994 we completed a warehouse expansion project that nearly doubled our inventory capacity and production areas.
In October 1994 a third "Ready Ship" warehouse was opened in New Jersey to better serve our customers in the Eastern United States.
In August 1995 a fourth "Ready Ship" warehouse was opened in Atlanta, Georgia to better serve the customers in the Southeastern United States. This warehouse was later closed due to traffic congestion in the Atlanta area.
In June 1996, we opened a second warehouse and production facility in Elburn, Illinois one block away from our headquarters and main facility.
In October 1996 SVI announced that it had everything except the concrete for surface mount lifts and assumed the role as the number one supplier of repair parts for most makes and models of surface mount lifts.
In March 1997 SVI stunned the automotive lift industry by announcing the addition of over 1300 high quality popular repair parts for Rotary lifts.
In August 1997 the "Ready Ship" warehouse in New Jersey was moved to a new larger facility just outside of Baltimore. The announcement was known as "The Official Service Act" and provided one or two day UPS ground service to Mid and N.E. Atlantic regions.
In April 1998 SVI acquired the assets of Ronflo Manufacturing, which resulted in many new capabilities including a custom safety leg program.
In January 1999 SVI formed a new 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.
August 1999 marked the 10 year anniversary of our "The Twin Post" newsletter, a lift industry publication.
In July 2000 SVI continued its expansion in its role as the lift industry's heavy duty lift supplier by offering replacement 12-5/8" cylinder assemblies for obsolete Rotary lifts.
In February 2001 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.
In June 2002 SVI introduces a new "Rapid Fire Response" parts program for repair parts for Rotary Lifts. This program included newly tuned pricing and the fastest order turnaround time in the lift industry.
In July 2002 SVI relocates to a new 76,000 square foot facility on 5 acres in downtown Aurora, Illinois just less than one mile from where it all started back in 1977.
On December 14, 2002 SVI acquires Globe Lift, one of the US's oldest and most well respected 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.
In April 2004 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.
In March 2005 "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.
