Company History

Albert R. Wilhelm, a Prussian who was fleeing Germany prior to the First World War wanted to remain in the lift business, which his family operated for years in his native country. Upon his arrival in the United States he came to Louisville, Kentucky and started Abell Machine Shop.

In 1910, Abell Machine Shop installed the first Abell elevator at the Louisville Broom Works. We still maintain several of these traction machines that were installed prior to World War I.

During the First and Second World Wars as well as the Korean War we were conscripted by the US Government to fabricate war material. In all three conflicts we were listed as a top priority conscription candidate because of our size and excellent reputation for our machining capabilities and quality standards.

Since those early days, we have expanded our operation to include the installation and maintenance of traction and hydraulic elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters and all types of vertical transportation throughout the United States, as well as projects in Canada, China, Mexico,  and South America.

Our Corporate headquarters is located in Louisville, Kentucky. Through various customer requests to expand to other areas, we have begun a controlled expansion program.

The expansion into Lexington, Kentucky  brought many high-profile projects that include modernizations at the University of Kentucky Hospitals and new installations at  Commonwealth Stadium, home of the UK Wildcat football team.

In 1984 Abell Elevator opened its offices in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our abilities in our field were quickly recognized. Contracts such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the home of the Indianapolis 500, United Airlines, and Indianapolis Airport were awarded.  We have also completed projects at the Minton Capehart Federal Building and the U.S. Courthouse.

In 1985 our Cincinnati, Ohio branch was opened. We have completed many high profile projects, including over 30 modernizations for the University of Cincinnati, installations at the Arnoff Center for the Arts, and the Museum Center.

In 1989 our Columbus, Ohio branch was opened. Columbus has brought us the Fifth Third Bank Tower, Franklin County Jail, Courtyard by Marriott and many other projects.

Abell continued its expansion to include Tampa, Florida in 1999.  The area has brought us HCA West Coast Hospitals, Pinellas Co. Schools, Eckerd Drugs, Raytheon, and many other projects.

We have expanded from our various offices to have service offices in cities like Huntington, WV, Fort Wayne, IN, Charlestown, WV Evansville, IN, Bowling Green, KY and many other locations.

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