In 1872 two native son engineers of Havana, New York, formed a materials handling company they called Shepard Niles. In 1902 they built their first heavy duty crane and sold it around the world. The company is still in business today. From their web site: "Workhorse cranes and hoists that last virtually forever–this is what industry expects from Shepard Niles. Our custom hand-built, heavy-duty Class D and E cranes and hoists helped America become the world's leading industrial nation, and powered our country through two World Wars." While the company is ongoing, since its acquisition in 1989, its primary operations are no longer domiciled in Montour Falls.