MEC Aerial Work Platforms has nearly 200 employees in Kerman, where they gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, to celebrate the opening of its Engineering Center of Excellence
published on October 15, 2025 – 3:36 PM
Written by Frank Lopez
MEC Aerial Work Platforms, a leading manufacturer and supplier of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Engineering Center of Excellence at its Kerman factory and headquarters.
The new facility, which opened in July, covers 8,000 square feet and features advanced computer-aided design, technology, modern communication and meeting spaces, specialized testing equipment and a clean-room R&D lab.
MEC employees joined the celebration and were treated to unlimited tacos and aguas frescas from the Tacos La Vaporera food truck.
Nearly 200 people work at the MEC factory in Kerman. Originally founded in Wisconsin, MEC was purchased by Chinese company Dingli Machinery in 2024.
Located inside the 165,000 square-foot factory the Engineering Center of Excellence was designed to foster creativity and collaboration among MEC’s engineers, technical support teams, new product development personnel, manufacturing personnel and industry experts.
The facility will also serve as a training center and foster continuous professional development for MEC team members and customers.
The center will be used to host collaborative projects with industry partners, furthering the company’s mission of driving advancements in safety, performance and technology.
Construction for the facility took about a year.
“This facility is state-of-the-art,” said Gary Crook, MEC vice president of engineering. “We are really fortunate to have that facility to grow into.”
Crook added that the new facility will allow the company to push the boundaries of engineering, as well as attract and develop new talent to stay at the forefront of driving the industry.
Company leaders at MEC Aerial Work Platforms in Kerman cut the ribbon on Wednesday, Oct. 15, of their Engineering Center of Excellence. Photo by Frank Lopez
MEC President Brian McFarland said the new facility gives the company expansion capability for the engineering team to develop new products to power their market growth strategy.
“By having a facility and being able to work within the factory gives us the ability and space to work hand-in-hand with Fresno State and other universities to recruit new talent and develop them within the industry.”
The new facility also gives MEC the ability to train customers and contractors in the use their products, enhancing both safety and customer service.
McFarland said that the Trump Administration’s recent tariffs are something they focus on each day, trying to balance administrative changes while their growth plans have fluctuated with the cost changes.
Paul Waller, vice president of sales, said driving innovation in the industry is a multifaceted process that involves listening to customers who use their products and making sure their team members go home safe.
“Reducing injuries, eliminating downtime on the job—those are the things we are trying. Keep them in the platform and keep them safe,” Waller said.