A Legacy Reborn: The Battle Motors Story

In the evolving landscape of commercial vehicle manufacturing, few transformations have been as dramatic as the rebirth of Crane Carrier Company into Battle Motors. This remarkable journey, initiated in 2021, represents not just a corporate acquisition but a complete reimagining of what a 75-year-old truck manufacturer could become.

The Foundation: Crane Carrier’s Distinguished History

Before Battle Motors entered the picture, Crane Carrier Company had already established itself as an American industrial icon. Founded by Robert Zeligson in 1946 in New Philadelphia, Ohio, the company began with a simple yet innovative mission: converting surplus World War II military vehicles for civilian use in the construction and petroleum industries.

The company’s name wasn’t arbitrary; it reflected their core competency. Crane Carrier specialized in Cab-Beside-Engine (CBE) or half-cab designs, which allowed trucks to carry crane booms more efficiently. By 1953, CCC had presented their first proprietary truck design, quickly evolving from a military surplus modifier to a full-fledged manufacturer of specialized commercial vehicles.

For seven and a half decades, Crane Carrier built its reputation on producing severe-service chassis and purpose-built vehicles for some of America’s toughest industries: refuse and recycling, infrastructure maintenance, ground support, multi-stop distribution, agriculture, and oil and gas markets. Their trucks weren’t just vehicles; they were workhorses designed to excel in the most demanding conditions.

The Entrepreneurial Vision: Michael Patterson’s Journey

The transformation of Crane Carrier began with Michael Patterson, a serial entrepreneur with an inscribed baseball bat for every company he’s founded, symbolizing his goal of “hitting it out of the park” with each venture. Patterson’s path to Battle Motors wasn’t straightforward but rather the culmination of decades of technological and entrepreneurial experience with these companies that led Patterson to see the potential in refuse and vocational vehicles. Patterson pivoted, choosing to acquire an established manufacturer rather than starting from scratch.

The Strategic Acquisition: Battle Motors Takes the Wheel

In April 2021, Battle Motors officially acquired Crane Carrier Company, marking the beginning of an ambitious transformation.

The acquisition was strategic on multiple levels. Rather than building a new refuse and vocational vehicle company from the ground up, Battle Motors gained:

• A 125,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio
• 75 years of manufacturing expertise and institutional knowledge
• An established network of 180 sales and service dealers across North America
• A loyal customer base of over 750 municipalities
• Proven diesel and CNG truck platforms

Rapid Expansion and Capital Investment

The transformation of Crane Carrier under Battle Motors has been nothing short of remarkable. The company immediately embarked on an aggressive expansion plan.

Production Transformation

The numbers tell a compelling story of growth:

• 2021: 300 trucks produced (under 1 truck per day)
• 2022: Approximately 1,000 trucks (3-4 trucks per day)
• 2023: Production capacity increased to 6 trucks per day
• Future Goal: 16 trucks per day production capacity

This represents a 650% increase in revenue compared to pre-acquisition levels. As Patterson noted, “Right now we do just about what Crane Carrier was doing every year, we do that about every month.”

Strategic Advantages in a Competitive Market

Patterson identified a unique competitive advantage for Battle Motors in the vocational truck space. While larger manufacturers like Mack, Volvo, Kenworth, Freightliner and Peterbilt focus primarily on over-the-highway trucks, Battle Motors can dedicate its full attention and resources to the specialized needs of vocational applications.

“My advantage is that other OEM manufacturers are primarily on-highway trucks. That’s where their bread and butter is,” Patterson explained. “They’ve got to take all the parts they would use for refuse and take them to their big trucks where they compete fiercely.”

Beyond competitive positioning, Battle Motors takes pride in being a truly American manufacturing company. The company demonstrates its commitment to domestic production by sourcing most of its parts and components from American suppliers. This dedication to American manufacturing not only strengthens local supply chains but also ensures quality control, reduces lead times and supports the broader U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. By keeping production and sourcing primarily within the United States, Battle Motors reinforces its position as a company invested in American workers, American innovation, and the revitalization of domestic industrial capacity.

Community Impact and Economic Development

The transformation of Battle Motors has had profound effects on New Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The company has:

• Nearly tripled employment, creating over 400 jobs
• Invested $32 million in facility improvements
• Attracted high-tech manufacturing jobs to Central Ohio
• Preserved and enhanced a 75-year manufacturing legacy

New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day praised the company’s impact: “Battle Motors is nearly tripling the size of the production facility in New Philadelphia from 125,000 sq feet to 350,000 sq feet to increase production.”

Looking to the Future

Battle Motors’ vision extends far beyond its current achievements. The company owns additional acreage adjacent to its Ohio facility and plans to:

• Double the facility size again
• Expand into additional vehicle segments
• Develop new technologies for the vocational truck market
• Build out R&D and prototype fabrication spaces

Conclusion: A Model for Industrial Transformation

The Battle Motors story represents more than just a successful acquisition; it’s a blueprint for how traditional American manufacturing can be revitalized through strategic vision and technological innovation. By combining Crane Carrier’s 75-year legacy of building tough, reliable refuse and vocational trucks, Battle Motors has positioned itself at the forefront of the commercial and refuse vehicle industries.

Battle Motors stands as proof that even the most established industrial companies can reinvent themselves for a new era. The company’s rapid growth, expanding workforce, and innovative products demonstrate that with the right leadership and vision, American manufacturing can not only survive but thrive in the 21st century.

The transformation from Crane Carrier Company to Battle Motors isn’t just about changing a name, it’s about reimagining what’s possible when entrepreneurial energy meets industrial heritage. As Patterson and his team continue to “hit it out of the park,” Battle Motors is writing the next chapter in American commercial vehicle manufacturing, one truck at a time.