Mi-Jack Products

Mi-Jack Products is an American industrial equipment manufacturer headquartered in Hazel Crest, Illinois. The company specializes in rubber-tired gantry cranes and related material-handling systems for intermodal rail terminals, ports, industrial facilities, construction projects, and other heavy-lifting environments. Its product portfolio includes Travelift and Translift cranes, container-handling equipment, and technology intended to improve terminal visibility, fleet management, collision avoidance, worker safety, and operating productivity. The company was established in Chicago in 1954 by Jack Lanigan Sr. Its name was formed from the names of two of Lanigan's sons, Mike and Jack. During the 1960s, Mi-Jack began distributing self-propelled rubber-tired gantry cranes. In the 1980s, it acquired manufacturing rights for cranes that it had previously sold, a move that enabled the company to expand from distribution into manufacturing and to pursue additional national and international markets. Mi-Jack later broadened its activities beyond crane manufacturing. During the 1990s, the company entered railroad operations. In 1998, Jack Lanigan joined Kansas City Southern Railway in a successful bid for a long-term concession to rebuild and operate a railway across the Isthmus of Panama. The resulting Panama Canal Railway Company became part of the wider business interests associated with the Lanigan family and the Lanco Group. In the early 2000s, Mi-Jack helped form the Lanco Group of Companies, a diversified organization with activities spanning material handling, terminal automation, supply-chain services, and sports and entertainment. Mi-Jack sits within the group's material-handling activities alongside businesses such as Western Pacific Crane & Equipment, Walter Payton Power Equipment, Broderson Manufacturing, Liftking, and Greenfield Products. Mike Lanigan is identified in reference material as Mi-Jack's president and as a co-owner of the Lanco Group. Mi-Jack's Travelift line is designed for rubber-tired lifting applications involving materials such as steel and precast concrete, as well as construction, wind-energy, bridge, and manufacturing work. Its Translift line is aimed primarily at rail intermodal terminals and container-handling operations; some configurations can use hybrid battery systems. The JL1400P, introduced in 2022, is a United States-manufactured Translift rubber-tired gantry crane intended for standard port and intermodal-terminal applications. The company also develops digital and safety-related systems. Mi-Star combines collision avoidance, virtual terminal visualization, inventory management, and fleet-monitoring functions for rubber-tired gantry crane operations. AccuTrack is a terminal productivity and personnel-and-asset tracking system with optional work-zone protection. It uses tagged-personnel detection and visual warnings to distinguish safe and unsafe operating zones behind a straddle carrier or comparable vehicle. Mi-Jack equipment has also been used on major infrastructure work. For New York City's Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project, Halmar International used two custom Mi-Jack gantry cranes to support the removal and replacement of viaduct spans while allowing Metro-North trains to continue operating. Reference material also reports that the company announced plans for a manufacturing facility in Monee Industrial Park in Monee, Illinois, expanding its production presence in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Mi-Jack Products was founded in Chicago in 1954 by Jack Lanigan Sr. The company name reflected the names of two of Lanigan's sons, Mike and Jack. Its early business developed around industrial lifting and crane equipment, and during the 1960s Mi-Jack began distributing self-propelled rubber-tired gantry cranes. These machines gave the company an entry point into applications requiring mobile lifting without fixed rail infrastructure. A significant transition occurred in the 1980s, when Mi-Jack purchased the manufacturing rights to cranes it had previously distributed. This changed the company's role from primarily a distributor to a manufacturer and allowed it to develop its own production capabilities. The move also supported expansion into additional domestic and international markets. Rubber-tired gantry cranes became a central part of the company's identity, serving industrial, construction, port, and intermodal customers. During the 1990s, Mi-Jack expanded into railroad operations. In 1998, the Nation of Panama sought bids for a long-term concession to rebuild and operate a 47.6-mile railroad crossing the Isthmus of Panama. Jack Lanigan joined with Kansas City Southern Railway in a successful bid. The resulting Panama Canal Railway Company operated the railway under the concession and represented a substantial diversification beyond crane and material-handling equipment. In the early 2000s, Mi-Jack helped establish the Lanco Group of Companies. The group brought together businesses connected with material handling, terminal automation, supply-chain operations, and sports and entertainment. Within that structure, Mi-Jack remained associated with crane manufacturing and material-handling solutions. Other businesses listed in the group's material-handling division include Western Pacific Crane & Equipment, Walter Payton Power Equipment, Broderson Manufacturing, Liftking, and Greenfield Products. Mike Lanigan is identified as Mi-Jack's president and as a co-owner of the Lanco Group. Mi-Jack's principal equipment families include Travelift and Translift rubber-tired gantry cranes. Travelift cranes are used for heavy lifting in settings such as steel and precast-concrete production, manufacturing, wind-energy projects, bridge work, and other industrial or construction applications. Translift cranes are designed especially for intermodal rail terminals and container-handling operations. Some Translift configurations incorporate hybrid battery systems. In 2022, Mi-Jack launched the JL1400P, a United States-manufactured Translift container crane intended for standard port and intermodal-terminal duties. The company has also added software and sensor-based capabilities to its equipment offering. Mi-Star is described as a technology platform supporting collision avoidance, virtual terminal visualization, inventory management, and fleet monitoring for rubber-tired gantry cranes. AccuTrack provides personnel and asset tracking, with optional work-zone protection. Its operating concept divides the monitored backreach area into safe and unsafe zones. Tagged personnel detected in the safe zone generate a green indication, while entry into the unsafe zone generates a red warning that directs the vehicle operator to stop until the area is clear. Mi-Jack equipment has been used in major infrastructure work. In New York City, Halmar International used two custom Mi-Jack gantry cranes for the Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project. The cranes spanned the viaduct and supported the removal and installation of structural spans while Metro-North trains continued to run. Reference material also reports a 2026 plan for a new manufacturing facility in Monee Industrial Park in Monee, Illinois. If completed, the facility would extend Mi-Jack's manufacturing footprint in the Chicago metropolitan area.

• 2026

  Planned Monee manufacturing facility

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material reports plans for a Mi-Jack manufacturing facility at Monee Industrial Park in Illinois.

• 2024

  Use in Park Avenue Viaduct replacement

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Two custom Mi-Jack gantry cranes support the Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project in New York City.

• 2022

  Launch of the JL1400P

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Mi-Jack launches the United States-manufactured JL1400P Translift rubber-tired gantry crane for standard port and intermodal-terminal applications.

• 2000

  Formation of the Lanco Group of Companies

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Mi-Jack helps form the Lanco Group, which brings together businesses in material handling, terminal automation, supply chain, and sports and entertainment.

• 1998

  Panama Canal Railway concession

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Jack Lanigan and Kansas City Southern Railway win a concession to rebuild and operate the railway across the Isthmus of Panama, creating the Panama Canal Railway Company.

• 1980

  Entry into crane manufacturing

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1980s, Mi-Jack purchases manufacturing rights for cranes it had been selling, supporting broader domestic and international expansion.

• 1960

  Expansion into rubber-tired gantry crane distribution

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1960s, Mi-Jack begins distributing self-propelled rubber-tired gantry cranes.

• 1954

  Mi-Jack Products is founded

  [1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Jack Lanigan Sr. establishes Mi-Jack Products in Chicago, Illinois. The name is derived from the names of his sons, Mike and Jack.

A specialized American manufacturer and solutions provider for heavy lifting, intermodal container handling, port operations, industrial material handling, and terminal safety.

• Rubber-tired gantry cranes

  Travelift

  Travelift is Mi-Jack's rubber-tired gantry crane line for mobile heavy-lifting applications. The equipment is used with steel, precast concrete, manufacturing operations, wind-energy projects, bridge work, and other industrial or construction tasks. Its rubber-tired configuration allows the crane to move around a worksite without depending on a permanent runway or fixed rail system.

• Intermodal rubber-tired gantry cranes

  Translift

  Translift is Mi-Jack's line of rubber-tired gantry cranes for rail intermodal terminals, ports, and container-handling operations. The cranes are intended to transfer and stack containers in terminal environments. Reference material notes that some configurations may operate with hybrid battery systems, reflecting the company's interest in combining mobile lifting equipment with alternative power and efficiency features.

• Container-handling rubber-tired gantry crane · 2022

  JL1400P

  The JL1400P is a Translift rubber-tired gantry container crane launched in 2022. It is manufactured in the United States and designed for standard operating requirements at ports and intermodal rail terminals. The model represents a specific application-focused offering within Mi-Jack's broader Translift family.

• Terminal automation and crane-management technology

  Mi-Star

  Mi-Star is a technology suite for rubber-tired gantry crane operations. Its described functions include collision avoidance, virtual terminal visualization, inventory management, and fleet monitoring. The system is intended to provide operators and terminal managers with a more integrated view of equipment activity, container locations, and potential operational hazards.

• Personnel and asset tracking system

  AccuTrack

  AccuTrack is a container-terminal productivity and safety solution that tracks personnel and assets and can provide work-zone protection. Tagged personnel are detected in monitored areas behind a straddle carrier or comparable vehicle. The system gives a green indication when conditions are safe and a red warning when a person enters an unsafe zone, prompting the operator to stop until the area is clear.

• 2026

  Plan for Monee manufacturing expansionStrategy

  Background

  Mi-Jack sought to expand its manufacturing presence in the Chicago metropolitan area.

  Action taken

  The company announced plans for a manufacturing facility in Monee Industrial Park in Monee, Illinois.

  Source

• 2022

  Launch of the JL1400PProduct launch

  Background

  Ports and intermodal terminals require rubber-tired container cranes for standard container transfer and stacking work.

  Action taken

  Mi-Jack introduced the JL1400P Translift container crane, manufactured in the United States.

  Aftermath

  The model expanded Mi-Jack's current Translift offering for standard port and intermodal-terminal applications.

  Source

• 2000

  Formation of the Lanco Group of CompaniesStrategy

  Background

  The Lanigan-linked businesses operated across several fields, including material handling, automation, supply chain services, and sports and entertainment.

  Action taken

  Mi-Jack helped establish the Lanco Group of Companies as a broader group structure for these activities.

  Aftermath

  Mi-Jack became part of a diversified group while retaining its focus on cranes and material-handling equipment.

  Source

• 1998

  Bid for the Panama Canal Railway concessionM&A

  Background

  Panama solicited bids for a long-term concession to rebuild and operate its 47.6-mile railway across the Isthmus of Panama.

  Action taken

  Jack Lanigan partnered with Kansas City Southern Railway in a successful bid, leading to the formation of the Panama Canal Railway Company.

  Aftermath

  Mi-Jack's activities expanded into railway operations during the 1990s, broadening the business beyond crane manufacturing.

  Source

• 1980

  Move from crane distribution into manufacturingStrategy

  Background

  Mi-Jack had been distributing self-propelled rubber-tired gantry cranes and sought to expand its business and market reach.

  Action taken

  The company purchased manufacturing rights for cranes it had previously sold and entered additional national and international markets.

  Aftermath

  The decision established manufacturing as a central part of Mi-Jack's business and supported the development of its Travelift and Translift product families.

  Source

• 2026

  Mi-Jack announces planned manufacturing facility in Monee, Illinois[1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Reference material reports that Mi-Jack Products announced plans to open a manufacturing facility in Monee Industrial Park, expanding its manufacturing presence in the Chicago metropolitan area.

• 2024

  Mi-Jack equipment used in Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project[1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Two custom Mi-Jack gantry cranes were used by Halmar International in New York City's Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project to remove and replace viaduct spans while Metro-North trains continued operating.

• 2022

  Mi-Jack introduces JL1400P Translift container crane[1]Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Mi-Jack launched the JL1400P, a United States-manufactured Translift rubber-tired gantry crane designed for standard port and intermodal-terminal applications.

1. 1Mi-Jack Productsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Mi-Jack Products official websitemi-jack.com