Bay Area’s Vintage joins largest independent union elevator services company in the U.S.

Specialized Elevator (“Specialized”), a portfolio company of Berkshire Partners, and Vintage Elevator Services (“Vintage”) today announced their merger, expanding the nation’s largest independent, unionized elevator and escalator services company. The addition of Vintage strengthens Specialized’s existing operations in the greater San Francisco area.

Vintage, founded in 2008 by Gerry Rodriguez and Greg Cardenas, has built a strong reputation for trusted service throughout the Bay Area. After more than six decades in the elevator industry, Rodriguez is stepping aside to pursue new endeavors, while Cardenas will remain with the organization in a leadership role, partnering with Specialized to oversee Bay Area operations.

“This partnership ensures our customers continue to receive the same excellent service and expertise they have come to rely on from Vintage – the same mechanics they know and trust under my continued leadership – with the expanded reach and enhanced resources of a larger, national team,” said Cardenas. “Together, we’re elevating our commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction across the Bay Area.”

“We have had a longstanding relationship with the Specialized team and long respected its San Francisco Elevator brand in our market,” said Rodriguez. “When it was decided to find a new home for our business, we reached out to Lift Advisors. We chose Specialized because they were the partner we could trust to care for our customers and employees in the same way Greg and I have for nearly 20 years.”

In the Bay Area, Specialized serves customers primarily under the San Francisco Elevator brand – and now Vintage Elevator a well – reflecting Specialized’s strategy of preserving strong local brands within an integrated operating platform that provides customers a single, independent service provider with national reach.

“Our mission is to be the premier elevator service provider for customers and the employer of choice for union mechanics in the country,” said Donovan McKeever, Chief Operating Officer of Specialized Elevator, who also founded San Francisco Elevator 10 years ago. “I have known and respected Gerry and Greg for nearly all of my 27 years in the industry, and this partnership with the entire Vintage team aligns perfectly with our mission.”

Specialized Chief Executive Officer Jim Core added, “This merger marks an exciting new chapter for our company and the customers we serve. By joining forces with Vintage Elevator, we’re not only expanding our footprint in California, but also strengthening our commitment to deliver best‑in‑class elevator and escalator services nationwide.”

Together, the combined company will employ more than 500 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (“IUEC”) and service more than 24,000 elevator and escalator units nationwide.

Lift Business Advisors, led by Jeff Eaton and Jessica Hellman, advised Vintage on the transaction.

About Specialized Elevator

Specialized Elevator is the largest independent, pure‑play unionized provider of elevator and escalator services and solutions in the United States. The company provides national reach with local care across 30 markets through 16 local brands, with many customers relying on Specialized nationally. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Canton, Mass., the company has grown in part through 21 acquisitions of other independent service providers. Specialized maintains more than 24,000 units for building owners and property managers and is built on a foundation of exceptional customer service.

For more information, visit www.specializedelevator.com.

About Vintage Elevator Services

Vintage Elevator Services is an independent IUEC elevator company serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 2008 by Gerry Rodriguez and Greg Cardenas, the company provides maintenance, repair, and modernization services.

About Lift Business Advisors

Lift Business Advisors, Inc. is focused on Mergers & Acquisitions for independent elevator contractors and elevator industry suppliers. Since inception, Lift has represented the owners of more than 140 elevator industry businesses in the successful sale of their businesses.

About Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee‑owned, multi‑sector specialist investor in private and public equity, focused on U.S.-based middle‑market companies. The firm’s private equity team invests in well‑positioned, growing companies across services, healthcare, industrials, and technology. Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which closed in 2024 with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments.

For more information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.

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