We want to be your trusted partner.
Burns Industrial Equipment is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh and we have a branch in Macedonia, Ohio, outside of Cleveland. Our sales and technician teams are spread out across western Pennsylvania, northeast Ohio and West Virginia to support our customers. We are proud to be a trusted partner to hundreds of small, medium and large businesses throughout the region and have been building strong working relationships with our customers for 50 years.
Our Company Values
- Integrity
- Customer Satisfaction
- Quality Service
- Individual Attention
- Expertise
Company History
Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary | 1972 – 2022
Joseph S. Burns founded our company in Pittsburgh, PA in 1972. Joe served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII, as crew chief of aircraft maintenance in the South Pacific. After the war, he returned home to Philadelphia and went to La Salle College on the G.I. bill. In 1950, he began on the assembly line at the Yale factory. A college graduate, Joe’s supervisors quickly noticed his abilities, and after several promotions, he had the opportunity to join Yale’s sales team. Joe and his family transferred to Pittsburgh in 1957, where for the next decade he worked as a salesman in national accounts, handling major Pittsburgh-based companies. He then acted as the branch manager of Yale Pittsburgh, before acquiring the dealership in 1972.
Joe built an organization founded on a commitment to strong service. As the company strived to meet the needs of Pittsburgh steel mills, the whole organization developed a sense of urgency in providing its customers with high-quality products, prompt service, and quick parts delivery. The Burns family carries on this tradition today as we serve clients in four states and across dozens of industries.
Joe’s son Chris took over as President in 1986. Under Chris’ leadership, the company has grown steadily, acquiring new territories and expanding its product offering. In 2013, Burns acquired Ohio Materials Handling and in 2018 they acquired Equipco. These acquisitions made Burns the largest and most comprehensive dealer in the western Pennsylvania/northeast Ohio trade area.
Equipco was the oldest Hyster dealership in the country, founded in 1944. Burns is proud to carry on the legacy of selling Hysters for more than 75 years.
Yale Dealer of Excellence and Hyster Dealer of Distinction
More than any other Yale dealership in the US, Burns Industrial Equipment has received the Yale Dealer of Excellence award for 28 consecutive years. Our dedicated employees and strong customer relationships are key factors in our continued success. The award recognizes dealers for developing and maintaining the pillars of a highly successful materials-handling dealership, including expert industry knowledge and dedication to customer support.
Company Mission
Burns Industrial Equipment is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service in all products and services that we offer. We believe that every customer is our partner in business, which is why we strive always to not just sell any solution but to sell the best solution.
Company Culture
Burns is committed to serving the communities in which we’re located, by supporting our employees in their initiatives and partnering strategically with local organizations to make a difference.
