PDX Forklift Repair: Ricardo Gutierrez’s Expert Journey in Forklift Service

Intella sells parts to a variety of companies around the world, though while the vast majority of our parts go directly to forklift users, we also sell to a number of forklift mechanics who we call “independents”.  They aren’t associated with any forklift brand, they usually are self-employed but they always have a huge amount of repair experience.  You can tap into this expertise, learn about Intella’s Forklift Mechanic network. 

In the world of forklift repair, experience matters—and few can match the depth and breadth of Ricardo Gutierrez of PDX Forklift Repair in Oregon. With 25 years in the industry, Ricardo has built a business that thrives on reputation, expertise, and tight customer relationships.

Ricardo’s journey started young. At just 15 years old, he worked every summer at his uncle’s shop in Los Angeles, learning the ins and outs of equipment repair. After seven years there, he formally entered the industry at Yale Chase in City of Commerce, California, where he worked for nine years. His career continued at Johnson/Hyster and a Southern California Nissan dealer, gaining critical experience across multiple brands.

The 2008 economic downturn forced lots of folks to make tough choices. Ricardo sent his resume all over the country, eventually landing in Portland, Oregon to work for a Yale dealer. But just 90 days into his new position, the company was acquired by Hyster dealer Pape Material Handling. Unimpressed the new offer, he moved on to Norlift of Oregon, where he worked for three years before a brief stint at Crown dealer Northwest Handling Systems.

In March 2013, Ricardo took a leap of faith, cashing out his 401(k) to start PDX Forklift Repair. His gamble paid off. Remarkably, Ricardo has never advertised his services. Instead, he has built his business through word-of-mouth, developing a selective customer base that values his deep knowledge and craftsmanship. “I only take on customers who appreciate my skills and are willing to follow my repair recommendations,” he says. This approach has allowed him to keep customers’ equipment in top shape, with minimal downtime.

A hallmark of Ricardo’s career is his ability to work on what he calls “weird stuff.” Many dealer technicians prefer to specialize in just one brand, but Ricardo’s expertise spans multiple brands and older equipment, making him an invaluable sub-contractor for larger dealers in the area. “There’s a very small pool of guys excited and willing to work on older, ancient forklifts.”

For Ricardo, the best part of being independent is the relationships he builds with his customers. “They’re trying to run their business, and there’s nothing better than knowing I can take a problem off their hands and keep their equipment running smoothly,” he says. His reputation for reliability and skill has earned him the trust of clients across the region, who know they can leave their toughest equipment challenges in his capable hands.

With his unique skill set and decades of experience, Ricardo Gutierrez continues to set the bar high for independent forklift repair technicians in Oregon.