Father and son, Jim Nichols Sr and Mark Nichols Sr, 2nd and 3rd generation crane operators

Founding Fathers

Nichols Crane started as Lola Crane Rental in 1995 when Mark Nichols Sr gave up a safe 9 to 5 job to pursue his dream of owning his own crane rental company.

Through Mark’s hard work, vision and industry network, what started as just two owner-operators and two small cranes has grown to be to one of the largest and most trusted crane companies in the broader Chicagoland area.

Believe it or not, our family has been in the industry for four generations, starting with Mark's grandfather and then his father and now his children!

Lola Crane Rental founded in 1995 was named after Lola Nichols, co-founder and wife of Mark Nichols Sr.  Lola was the rock that allowed Mark to give up a comfortable, “safe” life and pursue his dream of opening a crane rental company.

In the early days Mark worked tirelessly to build what became Nichols Crane.  Lola acted as the office staff, maintained a full-time job and raised their three young kids.  These two even built their family home together, with Mark nailing down walls as Lola lifted them into place… yep with a crane!

When Nichols Crane Rental was established, Mark kept the backwards L in Nichols Crane’s logo to pay homage to the early days and to his partner who was so instrumental to the success of this company.