About AFE Crane

Overhead Crane Company

Overhead Crane Manufacturing

At AFE Crane, a LAFORGE company, we have been a trusted leader in overhead material handling equipment since 1983. Specializing in both standard and customized solutions, we deliver innovative systems designed to meet the diverse lifting and material handling needs of our customers. From overhead bridge cranes, chain hoists, and custom below-the-hook lifting devices to complex automated monorail carriers, specialty cranes, stackers, crane runways, and structural steel systems, we offer a comprehensive lineup of equipment and services.

As authorized distributors for top hoist and lifting equipment manufacturers, we offer both new equipment and repair parts. Our team works closely with customers to increase productivity, minimize investment costs, and ensure long-term operational safety and efficiency. With over four decades of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality solutions tailored to your specific application needs.

Our Engineering Group

Application Engineering

Our experienced applications engineers are based in Iowa and work closely with customers from concept through execution. They assess your facility layout, production process, and lifting needs to recommend the most effective crane and hoist system. With a deep understanding of industry standards, they identify solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and floor space. Whether it’s a new installation, expansion, or retrofit, our team delivers cost-effective equipment packages built on the right technical foundation for your operation.

Design Engineering

AFE Crane engineering and fabrication facilities are located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Our engineering group uses the latest 3D modeling and drafting software to design and fabricate complete overhead material handling systems to industry safety and performance standards. We excel at creating new custom crane solutions or re-engineering and reworking existing systems to increase lifting capacities, spans, and modernizing controls. Our design team creates an effective solution and puts together a mechanical and electrical drawing package for the end user’s reference.

Fabrication

Fabrication takes place in our two manufacturing facilities in Cedar Falls and Waterloo that total 70,000 square feet of extensive machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and painting equipment. We share these facilities with our parent company, LAFORGE, LLC, and our sister company, BucketMaster.

Crane Service

Our service group will keep your equipment running with our experienced inspection and service technicians. AFE Crane technicians are familiar with industry leading brands of overhead cranes and hoists and are experienced with inspection, troubleshooting, repairs, and equipment upgrades.

For over 40 years, AFE Crane has been helping our customers become and stay productive. We look forward to solving your overhead lifting challenges and keeping your existing equipment working safely.

Over 40

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

500+

HAPPY CLIENTS

Our History

1983

American Fabricators & Engineers is established

AFE Crane was established in 1983 under the name American Fabricators & Engineers as a subdivision of Bruns Machine. At the time, Bruns Machine was a well-established full-service fabrication and machining business founded in 1963 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Meanwhile, Acco-Louden was manufacturing patented track in Fairfield, Iowa and seeking capable machine shops to build and distribute its cranes and components. Bruns Machine was approached with this opportunity, and in response, American Fabricators & Engineers was formed with a focus on custom overhead material handling solutions and engineering services—delivering high-quality, tailored equipment to meet each customer’s specific needs.

2008

Acquired by HDM, LLC

In 2008, the company was acquired by a private company based in France, operating under the name HDM, LLC. This company also owned LAFORGE, and sought a machine shop in the Cedar Valley area to support and grow its expanding agricultural business.

2016

Rebrand to AFE Crane

In 2016, we rebranded to AFE Crane to better reflect our core focus on overhead cranes and material handling equipment. This name change highlighted our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service.

2024

Unified as LAFORGE, LLC

In 2024, our parent company underwent its own restructuring and rebranding, retiring the Bruns Machine and HDM, LLC names and consolidating under the unified identity of LAFORGE, LLC. This transformation aligned the parent company with its subsidiaries, including AFE Crane and our sister company, BucketMaster. By pooling resources and expertise across these businesses, we continue to deliver innovative, reliable, and high-quality solutions across multiple industries.

At AFE Crane, we remain dedicated to designing and delivering custom-engineered systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity for our customers.