
The Story
of Rotary
SERVING THE SHOP®
SINCE 1925

Since 1925, Rotary Solutions has grown to become the world leader in vehicle service and repair shop productivity with global operations. Extending from our headquarters in Madison, Indiana, throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.
Rotary Solutions is committed to ‘Serving the Shop®’ and has purposefully designed equipment to work seamlessly to support shops in the safest, fastest and most efficient way. It offers solutions for vehicle lifting, wheel service, diagnostics, alignment and more. Rotary Solutions is part of Vehicle Service Group, an operating company of Dover Corporation’s Engineered Products segment.

A CENTURY OF INDUSTRY LEADING INNOVATION
The Haircut That Launched An Industry!
Inspired by a barber’s chair in the 1920s, the founder Peter Lunati, a car mechanic in Memphis, Tennessee (USA) developed the first hydraulic lift in the world in the rotating version.
The “Man of Steel” – as he was usually called – spent several hours a day standing in a grease-filled pit to work on cars. Like many inventors in US history, Lunati was able to recognise a valid tool by putting himself in the shoes of the operators.
One day as he was working in the pit, after having gone to the barber’s shop, a friend stopped and shouted at Lunati: “Hey, Pete, just take a look at you!”. “I know,” shouted Lunati, “but this is the last time I’m crawling in this hole, I’ve had an idea”. And as we like to say, it was a haircut that launched a company!



The lift was patented on 1 September 1925 and afterwards the company Rotary was officially founded. It took this name precisely in honour of the lift that rotated 360° with the vehicle lifted.


Watch the story of Peter Lunati and Rotary Lift

About VSG
As an operating company of the Dover Corporation, Vehicle Service Group (VSG) offers the world’s premier brands in vehicle lifting, wheel service, collision repair and aftermarket OEM equipment. With almost 100 years of experience, we design, test, manufacture, sell and support our products with one thing in mind: our customers. For more information, visit vsgdover.com.
About DOVER
Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what’s possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under “DOV.” Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.
