About AXCS Equipment
AXCS Equipment, by Custom Equipment, LLC, is a leading provider of access equipment solutions, delivering a full range of products including scissor lifts, articulated booms, telehandlers, and vertical mast lifts. Built on over four decades of engineering expertise and customer-driven innovation, AXCS represents the evolution of a company rooted in craftsmanship, reliability, and a relentless focus on solving real-world challenges.
From our beginnings as a small fabrication shop in Wisconsin to becoming a globally recognized manufacturer, our mission has remained consistent: to deliver safe, high-quality equipment that improves productivity and performance on jobsites around the world.
Every machine we produce reflects a deep commitment to operator safety, ease of use, and long-term durability. Our designs are not created in isolation—they are shaped by the feedback, needs, and experiences of the people who use them every day.
Our Evolution
AXCS is the next chapter in our company’s growth—a unified brand that reflects an expanded vision and broader product offering.
Originally known for our Hy-Brid Lifts line, we built a strong reputation for compact, lightweight scissor lifts that set new standards in maneuverability and efficiency. Today, through strategic growth and global partnerships, we’ve expanded beyond that foundation.
With the backing of ASKO Holdings, AXCS now delivers a comprehensive lineup of access equipment designed to meet a wider range of applications across construction, industrial, maintenance, and facility environments.
AXCS—meaning “full access”—represents more than a name. It reflects our commitment to providing complete solutions:
- Full access to a broader equipment lineup
- Full access to innovation and technology
- Full access to the service and support our customers depend on
As we move forward, our legacy products will transition under the AXCS name, bringing everything together under one unified, forward-looking brand.
1981
Founded
Custom Equipment, LLC is founded by Steve and Lynn Kissinger as a welding and repair shop in West Bend, WI. The small fabrication business quickly gained a reputation for providing creative solutions, superb customer service, and quality workmanship.
1987
Innovation
Custom Equipment builds the first '2-in-1' scissor lift designed and manufactured for use in mausoleums. These cemetery lifts are still manufactured today.
1993
Expansion
The business outgrows its original facility and the current manufacturing shop is built on the south side of town.
2004
Custom Equipment designs and begins manufacturing the first HB-1030 Hy-Brid Lift after recognizing a need in the construction and industrial markets for smaller, lightweight lifts.
2007
Relocation
The Hy-Brid Lifts line adds the HB-1430, giving users a 20 ft working height. Needing a larger facility due to continued growth, the company moves assembly operations and office personnel to the current corporate headquarters in Richfield, WI.
2010
Revolution
Hy-Brid Lifts are revolutionized with the release of the Push-Around and Zero-Turn work platforms, including the HB-P830 and HB-830.
2013
HB-1230
The HB-1230 is released, expanding the Zero-Turn product line.
2014
Safety Alternatives
The Push-Around product line expands with the HB-P527 and HB-P1027 as safer alternatives to ladders.
2017
Strategic Partnership
Custom Equipment partners with the Stratford-Cambridge Group (SGI), a private investment firm based out of Detroit, MI, to continue the company's history of growth and innovation. The Kissinger family still plays active roles within the company and Steve and Lynn can still be seen around the office from time to time.
2019
Product Segmentation
Hy-Brid Lifts divides its products into three categories: the Push-Around Series, Pro Series, and Zero-Turn Series. The scissor lift manufacturer also releases the LeakGuard™ Fluid Containment System as an option on all Pro Series units and adds the PS-1930, ZT-1630, and PA-1030 to its line of machines.
2020
Digital Integration
Hy-Brid Lifts adds QR codes to all machines, allowing users to quickly and easily access product information from their smartphone. The company also introduces its used equipment portal and online parts ordering system.
2023
ASKO Acquisition
ASKO Holdings acquires Custom Equipment, LLC, expanding the product range.
2024
Market Expansion
ASKO's acquisition of Custom Equipment, LLC allows us to expand scissor lift range to up to 51ft platform heights. Also, entering articulated boom, telehandler, & vertical mast markets.
2025
AXCS Launch
Custom Equipment, LLC launches a new brand, AXCS, to align with the latest product offering.
Our Story
Our journey began in 1981, when Custom Equipment, LLC was founded by Steve and Lynn Kissinger in West Bend, Wisconsin. What started as a small welding and repair shop quickly earned a reputation for quality workmanship, creative problem-solving, and exceptional customer service.
As demand grew, so did our capabilities:
- We introduced innovative lift solutions tailored to niche industries
- Expanded into manufacturing purpose-built scissor lifts
- Developed industry-leading compact and lightweight equipment
- Continuously refined our products based on real customer feedback
Over the decades, we have grown steadily—expanding our facilities, our product lines, and our reach—while maintaining the values that defined us from the start.
Today, while we operate on a global scale, we remain grounded in the same principles of craftsmanship, responsiveness, and customer partnership that fueled our early success.
What We Build
AXCS Equipment offers a full spectrum of access solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern job sites:
- Scissor Lifts – Compact, efficient, and designed for maximum maneuverability
- Articulated Boom Lifts – Flexible access for complex and elevated applications
- Telehandlers – Versatile material handling for demanding environments
- Vertical Mast Lifts – Precise, compact solutions for tight spaces
Our equipment is engineered with a focus on:
- Safety and operator confidence
- Jobsite efficiency and uptime
- Durability in real-world conditions
- Ease of maintenance and serviceability
From small indoor applications to large-scale industrial use, our products are built to perform where it matters most.
Innovation Driven by Customers
At AXCS, innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it starts with listening.
We continuously improve our equipment based on real-world feedback from operators, dealers, and service teams. This approach ensures that every design decision contributes to better usability, increased uptime, and safer operation.
From introducing lightweight lift designs to integrating modern technologies like QR-based product access and digital support tools, our focus remains on delivering practical innovation that makes a measurable difference.
