1985 - Derks Service (DBA - Star Crane & Hoist Inc.) is started as a crane and hoist service company in Muskegon, Michigan by Larry Derks (father) and Craig Derks (son).
1992 - Star Crane & Hoist, Inc. builds a new 12,000 square foot facility in Allendale, MI to better serve the West Michigan business corridor of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Muskegon.
1994 - Grand Traverse Crane Corporation is purchased to serve the crane and hoist needs in the Traverse City and northern Michigan area. With this acquisition, Curt Derks joined the business to run the newly added facility.
1995 - Scott DeKryger came on as CFO for group and partner with opening new locations
1996 - Star Crane & Hoist of Kalamazoo is formed to serve the crane and hoist needs of Kalamazoo and the southwestern Michigan area.
1998 - Allendale facility is expanded to over 20,000 square feet to incorporate new crane system manufacturing and additional office space needs. Star Crane & Hoist Service - East is formed to serve the tri-city (Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland) and eastern Michigan crane and hoist needs.
2001 to Present - Star Crane & Hoist opens 4 new locations to serve the Midwest's crane and hoist needs.
Star Crane's continued goal is to be a regional "one crane source" provider of service, new crane systems, parts, and engineering for the overhead crane and hoist industry.
2010 - Columbus McKinnon Corporation - Platinum Partner
2008 – Gorbel – A Class Above Award (In Recognition of Outstanding Sales Growth)
2006 – Gorbel – Dealer of Distinction Award (In Recognition of Sales Excellence)
2003 – Gorbel – Small Market Award (In Recognition of Outstanding Performance by a New Dealer)
2001 – Budgit – Outstanding Sales Achievement Award
2000 – Shaw-Box – Outstanding Sales Achievement Award
1999 – Budgit – Outstanding Sales Achievement Award