CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MULTIQUIP
1973: Introducing Multiquip!
After learning about the reliability and quality of Mikasa rammers from rental operators in Australia, Multiquip founder, Irv Levine, saw an opportunity to introduce Mikasa compaction equipment to the United States.
Irv obtained samples of Mikasa rammers and asked contractors to put them to the test on job sites. Their love of the machines influenced Irv to fly to Tokyo to negotiate exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Mikasa equipment. Soon after that, the first 60 Mikasa rammers arrive in the United States and the rest, as they say, is history.
1975: Pump it up
Multiquip expands its product line with the addition of contractor pumps. Its engine-driven pumps stand out from the crowd with die-cast aluminum housings that are both durable and lightweight. A departure from the heavy cast iron housings of the era. Heavy-duty electric submersible pumps would soon follow.
1977: Good Vibrations
As its products continue gaining a reputation for reliability, Multiquip introduces its first concrete-related products – Mikasa concrete vibrators. The PMA-Series flex-shaft vibrators would become a favorite of rental yards for decades. Motor-in-head high-cycle vibrators would soon expand the concrete vibrator range.
1979: New products and a new home!
Listening to the demands of contractors and the rental industry, Multiquip introduced portable generators and welders. Reliable, high-quality designs set them apart from the competition and were an immediate success. Multiquip moves into its new headquarters, a 25,000 ft² building in Carson, CA.
Welcome to the 1980s!
WhisperWeld™ sound-attenuated diesel welders are introduced. Contractors and rental operators are blown away by their quiet operation and welding performance.
1981: Is this engine running?
During Multiquip’s tenth year in business, the product line expands to include air compressors and diesel-powered generators. These sound-attenuated generators set the stage for launching the MQ Power product range you know and love today.
1983: Time to power up!
With rapid growth and continued product line expansion, Multiquip needed to scale up operations to meet demand and moved into a new 50,000 square-foot facility in Carson, CA.
1986: We need more space
Multiquip becomes the exclusive distributor for Whiteman Manufacturing Co., the inventor of the first power trowel in 1939 and industry leader in concrete finishing equipment.
1987: Now that’s smooth!
Whiteman Manufacturing Co. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Multiquip. With this investment and a significant focus on research and development, sales of MQ Whiteman products doubled within two years.
1988: Concrete Expansion
After hearing customers’ wishes for easier ways to tackle rebar onsite, Multiquip took action and added rebar cutting and bending equipment to the product line. This gave rod busters portable, labor-saving tools for their jobs.
1989: Steel Focus
Multiquip in the 1990s
1990: We Like Poly Drums and we Cannot Lie
Multiquip starts the decade strong introducing the first polyethylene drum EasyClean concrete and plaster/mortar mixers. Now standard in the rental industry, this revolutionary design simplified clean-up for both contractors and rental centers by releasing dry material from the surface with a few taps from a rubber mallet.
1992: Rolling in the Trenches
With nearly 20 years of compaction expertise under its belt, Multiquip deepens its lineup of compaction equipment with the addition of Rammax trench rollers in North America.
1994: Concrete Expansion
Multiquip acquires the Essick and Mayco product lines. Essick, a leading name in mixers since 1927, is immediately re-energized and fuels expansion of Multiquip’s mixer business. The addition of Mayco enables the company to provide contractors with high-quality small-line concrete pumps.
1995: Powering Up in Kentucky
Production of the first MQ Power diesel generators outside of Japan begins in Danville, Kentucky. Today this manufacturing plant produces DCA-Series models from 20 to 300 kVA.
1996: New Rammers. New Digs.
Multiquip introduces oil-injected rammers to the equipment industry. This design eliminates the hassles of mixing fuel for 2-cycle engines. The rental industry takes note and demand for the new rammers skyrockets.
MQ breaks ground on an expanded headquarters in Carson, CA to accommodate a continually expanding workforce.
1998: Anniversary & Innovation
It seems like only yesterday Multiquip celebrated its 25th birthday by opening a new 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Boise, ID, and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom.
This milestone year featured the introduction of the MQ Whiteman HTH-Series ride-on power trowel, which became an immediate success for its innovative hydraulic drive and steering.
1999: The Game has Changed
The construction equipment industry experienced major changes in 1999 through market consolidation. The first wave of consolidation hit the equipment rental industry, and demand for new equipment skyrocketed. Each of Multiquip's core business segments — compaction, power generation, concrete & masonry, and dewatering pumps — was impacted by these changes.
MQ Whiteman introduces the 10-foot class STH-Series ride-on trowels. The newest hydraulic offering from MQ is the most talked about machine at World of Concrete '99 for its ability to enable contractors to achieve flatter, smoother floors than ever before.
Y2K the Multiquip Way
2000: Power Generation & Power Trowels
Multiquip powers into the new millennium with the acquisition of Engine & Equipment Company. The move bolsters the MQ Power lineup with the addition of studio, custom, and containerized generators.
MQ Whiteman introduces innovative helical gearboxes on the HHN-Series ride-on power trowels, further solidifying its reputation for industry-leading design and performance.
2001: Staying Flexible
Multiquip enhanced its leadership in the light equipment market by purchasing the assets of STOW Manufacturing, the originator of the flexible shaft concrete vibrator.
2002: Passing the Torch
After nearly 30 years of leadership and innovation, Multiquip’s founder, Irv Levine, retires from the company and Tom Yasuda is appointed CEO. The company begins another period of rapid growth without losing focus its reputation for delivering high quality products and service.
2005: Lighting the Way
Multiquip introduces GloBug™ lighting solutions in the Americas, providing customers a compact, glare-free alternative to trailer mounted light towers.
2006: Texas-Sized Power
A new 160,000-square-foot distribution center is opened for MQ Power products in Lewisville, Texas, just outside of Dallas. This location allowed Multiquip to supply power solutions to more job sites around the country.
Introduction of MQ Mikasa MTX-Series rammers is greeted enthusiastically by the construction and rental industries. Operators love the improved ergonomics and improved reliability resulting from the cyclonic air filtration.
2007: Mixing it Up
Multiquip becomes the dominant manufacturer of towable mixers as its Essick and Whiteman brands sell in record numbers to professional masonry contractors and rental industry.
2010s: Continued Growth & Innovation
The introduction of the WT5C water trailer, Essick PRO12, and MudTub signal MQ’s ongoing commitment to innovation. Multiquip celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Whiteman Power Trowel and debuts the MQ Whiteman Pro Trowel.
2013: Mud & Water
The STX6H ride-on trowel is introduced, cementing Multiquip’s commitment to bringing the latest technology to market while maintaining the value and durability customers expect from MQ.
2016: Setting the Standard
After a successful 16-year run as CEO, Tom Yasuda retires and passes the torch to current CEO, Bob Graydon.
2017: New Leader at the Helm
Multiquip opens a new 188,000-square-foot facility in San Bernardino, CA to distribute construction and power equipment and handle packing and shipping of MQ Genuine Parts.
2018: Hello San Bernardino
Multiquip announces the expansion of its Southern California operations with a new headquarters in Cypress, new manufacturing and production center in Fullerton, and expansion of its San Bernardino operations.
2019: Home Grown
2023: 50 Years of Multiquip
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Multiquip with sales and demand at an all-time high. A feat that could not have been accomplished without the remarkable teamwork and dedication of MQ employees.
“We made sure that every MQ Whiteman trowel that went in a box was absolutely, spot-on perfect because that’s the way we wanted to represent the company. And nothing has changed.”
Kelly Panzeri
Employee since 1983
