July 2009 - Hyster Co. celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. Originally a lumber carrier manufacturer called Williamette Iron & Steel, Hyster merged with two companies in 1929 and was renamed Williamette Ersted. Eventually becoming Hyster Co., the company introduced a small lift truck in 1941 and today offers gasoline, LPG, diesel and electric lift trucks ranging in capacity from 2,000 lbs. to 115,000 lbs.