Co-Founder and then President Edward Shinn Jr. pictured in his Kenilworth NJ office circa 1945

In the spring of 1937, United Crane and Shovel Service opened for business in Newark, NJ. - the brainchild of Edward T. Shinn and his son Edward Shinn Jr.,

Edward Jr. proved to be a true visionary. The younger Shinn fabricated, patented and manufactured his own design of truck mounted hoists, which became known as 'jiffy hoists.' For many years, these machines could be seen on the jobsites of nearly every leading contractor in the Tri-State area.

Today the company, now known as United Crane Rentals Inc., is owned and operated by Timothy H. Shinn, the great-grandson and grandson, respectively, of United's co-founders.

Having been involved in the business for the past 35 years running, Timmy learned all aspects of the crane rental business by spending the first seventeen years of his career in the field as an equipment operator, followed by seven years as United's Treasurer and General manager.

One of the original "Jiffy Hoists" designed and patented by Edward Shinn Jr., the grandfather of current President Tim Shinn.

In 1995, Timmy Shinn became the sole owner and President of the company when he purchased all outstanding shares of United Crane from his other family members.