They began the company literally under a tree almost 20 years ago. "It was an elm tree about two blocks from our present location," recalls Lift Stak & Stor CEO Jim Wingate. "And, I believe it's still there, too."

Adds Vice President - Finance Sue Sherman: "We still enjoy a good laugh about mechanics working under a tree and how we always tried to be the first one in the office so we could have a chair to sit on."

Today as they approach their 20th anniversary, the company stands tall as one of the premier dealers in the Crown Retail Network. Sherman, Wingate, Jack Hartman and Buz Deer were the first employees. A short time later, President Jeff Sell joined the company.

The current operation is a far cry from the original 1,300 square foot structure with the "elm tree outback". The 94,000 square foot facility remains a testament to how well Lift Stak & Stor people have done their job.

But the Lift Stak & Stor story is more than just how successful the business has become since its inauspicious beginning in July 1983.

Friendships and a sense of family are important cornerstones in the way the company operates. "We try and treat everyone like family," says Wingate. "Respecting each other is very important and you do have to earn that respect."

The relationship existing between Wingate, Hartman and Deer provides a great example of this respect. It's a special situation that's probably unsurpassed in material handling.

The trio continues to enjoy an amazing career together both as friends and coworkers. They have worked with each other for almost 39 years and, combined, have more than 125 years experience in the industry.

They have forged a strong friendship over the years. "We have a lot of respect for each other," says Wingate. "We've always tried to take care of each other."

They know first hand the trials and tribulations of starting a business from the ground up after forming Lift Stak & Stor in July 1983.

" I think that's why the company means so much to us," says Wingate. "When you start with so little and see the company grow like it has, you feel very strongly. We take pride in earning Crown awards on a perennial basis and that we have a good relationship with our manufacturer."

Working well together and treating customers properly are cornerstones for success, according to Hartman. "You always take the time to help whenever and wherever you can. It's all about teamwork," he says.

Deer said it's important to do your best every day. "That's always what we try to do. We put in a lot of extra hours in those early days, but I'm glad I did," he says.

The company's business philosophy centered on a good work ethic. "We had a system around here where we worked half days - from 7 in the morning to 7 at night," says Wingate with a laugh.

While the work ethic has evolved from one generation to another, it still remains healthy even today for the company. "We've got some really good young people working here," says Hartman, who recently turned 75 and enjoys working with the younger mechanics.

"Our goal has always been the same. Whatever it takes to get the job done right, we want to do it,' says Deer.

Today's desire to specialize remains one of the biggest differences from the early days. "Everybody did everything in the early days," says Wingate. "If the drain was backed up and full of water, everybody pitched in to shovel it clear. It didn't matter who you were, you helped. You pulled together like a family."

Over the years, product changes have been dramatic, becoming more sophisticated and technologically oriented. "You use to need just a pair of pliers and a crescent wrench and you could do a lot. Now you have to put on the thinking cap," says Hartman.

But that's not all bad, he says. "A lot of competitors never changed and they're out of business," Hartman adds.

Currently, Hartman handles warranty work, three days a week. Until suffering injuries from a home fall, Hartman was working closely with a major account on a weekly basis. "He was there for them every week for 12 years," says Wingate.

He took a major tumble in January while chipping ice off the gutter of his house, crashing into the air conditioner and shattering his hip and leg. The fall paralyzed him from waist down. He crawled for help before a passing truck driver saw him waving his cap. Surgery and lots of pain followed but he returned to work in June.

"The hardest part was not being able to drive and depending on someone else," says Hartman, who is close to shedding the walker.

The 72-year-old Deer keeps the office mail flowing smoothly and relishes working with the mechanics. "Buz is a real stickler on the quality of work done by our people and what goes out the door," says Wingate about his former General Service and Parts Manager.

Quality and treating customers are still the key aspects to a good company, believes Deer. "You must treat customers fairly and they'll treat you right," he says. "It's important to be honest and up front with the customers."

Both Deer and Hartman have automotive backgrounds, but have never regretted switching to material handling. "There was just something different about this business," says Deer, whose son, Tom, is the company's rental and used equipment manager.

"In a garage, you knew pretty well what your day was going to be, but in this business you never know from day to day. It is always different," adds Hartman.

Hartman learned preparation was important during his younger days when he covered Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin. "You always carried an extra can of gas in your truck because in those small towns at dark there wasn't a light on anywhere or a gas station open," he says.

Pick up trucks were the mode of transportation, not service vans, and you always packed a couple of extra spare tires in case of problems. "The work was heavy and hard," he remembers.

But their experience has been invaluable to the company. "They've always had so much knowledge of lift trucks," observes Sell, who first started as a field salesman. "They kept the service department going by contributing an awful lot for many, many years. It was an important factor in our growth."

And there's no plan to stop in the near future. "Formal retirement has never been part of my agreement with them, says Wingate. "They have every reason not to retire."