Hill Crane Service began in 1947 in Big Bear California by Bernard and Dollene Hill. Bernard gained his experience and knowledge of equipment by operating cranes in Saudi Arabia.

By 1950 the family realized they would have to relocate the company if they were to expand and grow. So they moved the company to Long Beach Ca providing a more centralized business and the opportunity to service its current customers over a wide area.

In 1955 tragedy struck as Bernard Hill was killed in an auto accident. Dollene had to make a decision to either sell the business or try to keep it going as Bernard would have wanted.

For many years she ran the company forging her way in the predominately male construction industry, purchasing new cutting edge equipment and acquiring the right personnel help gain market share.

In 1970 Dollene’s son Rick Hill came aboard as a oiler on various types of equipment, gaining the knowledge and experience that would benefit him later in life. In the early 1980’s Dollene decided it was time to bring Rick into the office so that he could start to apply the knowledge he gained in the field.

Not later after this Dollene became sick with lung cancer. In 1986 she lost her battle with cancer and passed away. Rick, knowing it was time to step up and prove to himself that he could run the organization, became president and took control of the company.

As the company continued to grow he started to update the fleet with larger capacity and more technologically advanced cranes. 

Around 1997 as business continued to grow and Hill Crane gained market share, another location was opened in Rialto, California. Having the ability to dispatch cranes from either location in order to provide cost savings to the customer proved to be a profitable move.

As the construction industry evolved and street legal cranes became larger California Traffic Control was started in 2001. A full service Woman owned traffic control company with the ability to provide travel permits for cranes, encroachment permits, and traffic control plans.

In 2008 Rick also started HCS Transportation, a trucking company with the ability to provide heavy haul services, flat bed, low bed, and specialty hauling to Hill Crane Service and its customer base.

Although Hill Crane Service’s core business is operated and maintained crane service, having these other companies allows us to provide a service level to the end user that is unattainable by our competition.

Rick Hill’s two sons started work for the company in 2000 and are vital to the day to day operations of the companies. His youngest, Chris Hill, overseas California Traffic Control and HCS Transportation, in addition to heading up our engineering department which provides critical lift plans as needed. His eldest son Ron Hill, General Manager and project manager to Hill Crane’s key customers, provides along with sales, managerial duties of the company. This makes it third generation.

Recently the company has taken steps to evolve again and became a Woman Owned and operated company such as it was years ago.

Rick Hill still holds a top position in company management and has been the real driving force behind what is now Hill Crane Service.