Company History

Company History – Southern Elevator

Founded in Greensboro in 1949 by M.B. Toler, Southern Elevator Company began as an elevator manufacturer.  Seated in the hotbed of the then healthy textile manufacturing industry, Southern Elevator grew and prospered in concert with the mills. However, when manufacturing began to enter its decline and installation became less profitable, it became more and more difficult to justify the expense of regional elevator manufacturing, and Southern Elevator succumbed in a similar decline until, the company was sold for estate reasons and the business focus became preventative maintenance service, repair, and modernization. 

Southern Elevator has a client list that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of business and industry of the Carolinas. Coupled with top shelf mechanics and an effective, streamlined administrative core, Southern Elevator has long triumphed as the largest independent elevator service provider.  By building the face-to-face contact with customers by providing service, repair, and modernization, our mission to become the best provider of service in the region and have the broadest coverage of towns and communities throughout North and South Carolina, as well as Southern Virginia. 

By addressing ‘niche’ demands, Southern Elevator platformed its strategy, and then took it to the next level: acquisition. Southern Elevator has grown from two to seven branches since 1991 and acquired:

  • Mountain Elevator in Asheville, N.C.
  • Washington Elevator in Washington, N.C.

  • Piedmont Elevator in Danville, V.A.
  • Quality Elevator in Wilson, N.C

  • Atlantic Elevator in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

  • L.H. Gay Elevator in Richmond, V.A.
  • Howlett Elevator in Suffolk, V.A.

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What Sets Us Apart?

Regional companies focus on getting closer to the customer, by educating, empowering and choosing talented and trustful technicians to represent the company. Conversely, the big players move further and further away from the customer. This formula has made Southern Elevator a force to be reckoned with. Now the largest regional elevator company in the Carolinas, it boasts clients like Duke Medical, Duke University, Dominion Energy, and Duke Energy. Being able to service a huge variety of elevator brands and models we have been able to accommodate major clients like

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Universities

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Hospitals

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Federal Buildings

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State Buildings

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Municipal Buildings

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Commercial Buildings

What Our Clients Are Saying

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CAREERS AT Southern Elevator

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