About
Company Overview
OMi was Founded in 1969
OMi began as Athens Engineering, founded in Dallas, TX by Eugene (Gene) E. Oard in 1969. Gene brought with him a strong background in aircraft manufacturing, material handling, and sales. Mechanically gifted and entrepreneurial, he even built push button pendant stations in his garage. Inspired by his experiences and the industrial needs in Texas, Gene set out to create a company dedicated to the manufacturing of overhead cranes.
With just three employees, the company took on its first major project, not an overhead crane, but a piece of equipment designed to excavate a tunnel for the City of Dallas.
Expansion and Growth
In 1974, now called “OMi Cranes and Monorails” we relocated to a new facility in Balch Springs, TX to accommodate the company’s continued growth and expanding operations.
This facility would undergo multiple expansions and remodels to accommodate the needs of the company.
Assembly Line Style Manufacturing
Beginning in the 1980’s, Gene began traveling to Europe to study the techniques and technology of European manufacturing. By combining the strengths of American manufacturing with European efficiency, he laid the foundation for the approach to craftsmanship and innovation that still guides OMi today. Our primary focus then was the production of cranes from a standard catalog that we created.
Officially OMi Crane Systems
In 1998, we moved into our current headquarters in Royse City, Texas. It was here that we officially became OMi Crane Systems.
The facility was custom-designed to reflect the precision and efficiency Gene admired in European engineering, complete with a layout suited for assembly line-style crane manufacturing, which we still use today.
Fun fact: Much of the steel structure supporting our Royse City building was fabricated in our Balch Springs facility.
OMi Enters the Service Industry
At the turn of the century, we expanded our capabilities by opening our first dedicated service branch in Dallas. A decade later, we launched our Houston service branch to better support our growing customer base across Texas.
The Beginning of Custom Engineering
As demand grew and our business evolved, OMi expanded to include custom engineered solutions. While we have always offered standard crane options, we also began providing 100% turn-key solutions designed to meet the unique and specialized needs of our customers.
A milestone in this journey was the development of our first built-up hoist in 2011, engineered and manufactured entirely in-house. This innovation has since become one of our specialties and sets OMi apart from other crane assemblers.
Building Expansion
After establishing our headquarters, OMi continued to expand through multiple renovations to meet growing demand. In 2001, we added a second bay to our manufacturing plant. By 2007, we expanded again, extending this bay further and adding five additional offices to support our growing team.
Service Expansion
OMi has continued its expansion into the service industry with branches in Alabama (2015), Florida (2023), and Ohio (2024). These locations not only install our manufactured cranes but also provide service and inspection support for cranes of all types.
Leaders in the Crane Industry
OMi has been a member of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) since 1990. In 2023, based on its engineering and manufacturing credentials, OMi was voted in as Executive Members of the organization. As Executive Members, we have voting rights and the ability to help shape industry standards. This, highlights OMi’s commitment to the advancement of the overhead crane manufacturing industry.
OMi Today
OMi’s success is rooted in the hard work and determination that defines American manufacturing. We remain headquartered in Royse City, TX, now operating out of a 76,000 sq foot facility and have grown to a team of more than 100 employees. From new equipment sales, design, and engineering – to parts, installation, and service; OMi is your one-stop solution for all your overhead crane needs.
