KC Forklift Team

Quality forklift service since 1981

KC Forklift Service Co. is proud to offer a full line of Certified Forklift Maintenance and Repair Services. We have been repairing, servicing, and refurbishing lift trucks in the Phoenix valley since 1981. Whether you have one forklift or an entire fleet, we can assist with anything from basic maintenance to entire forklift rebuilds, repairs, and fleet maintenance.

Your lift trucks are as vital to your business as our customers are to us.

If you’re like many of our clients, your forklifts are a key component to your distribution or warehousing operations. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure your lifts are running at peak performance. There’s no better way to do this than rely on a shop with qualified professionals who can provide regular service and maintenance operations.

Yellow forklift

Company History

A Legacy of Service

Forklift Service was started in 1981 by Stan Orhlein. Over the years Stan had built the company up by offering rentals and leasing forklifts. Stan never hired any employees and did all of the work himself. In 2007 Forklift Service was acquired by KC Forklift, owned and operated by Kim and Cynthia Schertz. With both companies merging together, the rental fleet tripled in less than three years. Over the years, Forklift Service Company has grown from one employee to fifteen employees. The company continues to offer service on all makes and models of equipment including a fleet division focused on DOT truck and trailer repairs. KC Forklift Service, Fleet Service Division are both DBA’s of Forklift Service Co.

OUR TEAM

The Experts

Each of our professionals has experience refurbishing, maintaining and/or rebuilding all major brands and types of forklifts including Nissan, Toyota, Yale, Raymond, White, Cat and more. We can service electric, gas, diesel, or propane trucks.

Our forklift maintenance team can travel to regularly oversee, inspect and repair your lift trucks. Our pros are also trained to diagnose, identify and repair problematic areas to minimize your costs and increase the lifespan of your investment.

Our team can also diagnose any battery or charger problems you may be having. If your batteries are not operating at the top level, we can help. Our team can inspect, diagnose, maintain and repair your chargers and batteries providing you a full line of forklift related parts and services. KC Forklift Service Co. is proud to offer a full line of Certified Forklift Maintenance and Repair Services and have been repairing servicing and refurbishing lift trucks in the Phoenix valley since 1981. Whether you have one forklift or an entire fleet, we can assist with anything from basic maintenance to entire forklift rebuilds, repairs, and fleet maintenance.

Char Atkinson

Dispatcher

Char is Dispatch Coordinator for Forklift Service Co and started with the company in Feb 2019. Char brought with her nine years of direct industry experience as well as twenty five years of scheduling experience. As dispatcher, Char schedules service calls, sends out estimates for approval and in most cases is the voice of the company when the phone rings. Char is tasked with keeping seven techs organized and working every day. Char knows the Phoenix metro area and surrounding area very well which is very helpful in being a successful dispatcher. Char has been married for fifteen years and has two sons and five grandchildren. Char and her husband love car shows and enjoy time with their grandkids.

Pete McCann

Nacole Harris

Accounts Receivable

Nacole has been with Forklift Service for over 5 years. She has been on both sides of the accounting process in her career and now specializes in Accounts Receivable and Collections. Nacole has created and implemented new processes and procedures as well as providing the office with a laugh (or groan) with daily jokes and puns to keep the crew on their toes. She is married with fur kids. She enjoys CosPlay, Renaissance Festivals, camping, reading, and crafting. She is currently working on several home improvement projects around the house with her husband.

Dave Messa

Operations Manager

Dave has been with Forklift Service Co since Aug. 2018. Dave brings thirty one years of industry experience with him. Starting in 1992 working on electric forklifts and moving into management in 1996 for a private company and then branching out to a few different dealerships where positions ranged from sales to manager of all of the different departments over the years (rental, trucking, parts, service). Dave is the Operations Mgr. for Forklift Service Co. and strives to ensure that our customers get the best possible service available. Dave enjoys time with family (two adult children and two grandchildren) and is an automotive and motorcycle enthusiast.

Ray Best

Service Manager

Ray has been with Forklift Service since Nov 2018. Ray came to the company with 45 years of experience working on heavy equipment, forklifts, tractors, trailers and many other types of machinery. Ray brought with him two other experienced techs in the same field and was the start of our Fleet Services Division which has now grown to five full time fleet techs with fully outfitted service trucks. Ray has moved from lead fleet tech to Service Manager for Forklift Service Co. Ray is married and has four children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, woodworking and relaxing at his cabin.

Kim Schertz

Owner

Kim got his start in the material handling industry over thirty three years ago as a service technician. Kim’s commitment to the highest level of service to his customers has helped him succeed as a business owner. Kim and his wife purchased Forklift Service Co in 2007 and have grown the company from a one man operation to its current size that includes a fleet of service trucks and vans and fifteen employees. Kim keeping quality service the focus of the company has been a key part of the company’s growth and success. Kim is married and has two daughters. Kim enjoys hunting and traveling, but most of all enjoys the great outdoors.

Pete McCann

Tire Division Supervisor

Pete has been in the material handling industry for over 35 years and has been with Forklift Service Co. since 2020. Primarily focusing on the tire division of the business, Pete has refined his skills and capabilities when helping a customer choose the right tire for their application. Pete has been an integral part of growing our tire division and can help you get the correct tire for your lifts or DOT trucks. Pete is married with three children between him and his wife and four grandchildren as well as two great grandchildren. Pete is a US Army Vet, loves nice cars and enjoys cruising in his 2013 Mustang California Special. Pete has a crazy puppy and five cats to keep him busy when not working.