Rock, Road, River, Rail, & Recycle

About Us

We are a heavy construction equipment sales and rental company located in the south Chicago area, serving Illinois and Northern Indiana. At 5R our mission is simple. We are a small business with large capabilities specializing in rentals and purchases tailored to our customers’ needs. Each hour of every day we commit ourselves to working closely with our customers based on a family and friendship philosophy. We understand that the construction and material handling industries are constantly changing, causing our customers’ needs to evolve every day. We strive to lead the industry in both customer service and fair prices.

5 Reasons You Can Count On 5R.

We have it all. Whether you need cranes, conveyors or material handlers...loaders, excavators or truckable barges...5R is your one resource. We stock a wide range of new and used equipment, including the attachments it takes to complete the job.

It’s your choice. You can purchase the exact equipment you need at always-competitive prices. Or you can rent from 5R to maximize your budget. Either way, there’s no compromise on our customer service.

Top-tier manufacturers. 5R is an authorized distributor for the names you know — like Anvil, Atlas and HKD Blue. Mantsinen, PLM and Wintech. We’re proud to represent these and other companies, and we’re always up to date on the latest product innovations.

Deep experience. Our principals are highly knowledgeable about road, waterway and infrastructure projects. They have worked in the scrap, port and bulk material handling businesses, as well as equipment sales.

Family philosophy. At 5R you won’t simply be a customer, but a good friend — which is the only way we’ve ever done business. It’s no wonder we’ve earned a reputation throughout the Chicago area and greater Illinois as an industry leader.

Meet Our Team

Chad Cailteux

Owner

Email: chad@5rents.com
Phone: (815) 545-5058

Chad Cailteux is the owner of 5R Enterprises, LLC of Morris, Illinois. After 20+ years in the heavy equipment business, Chad has 5R on the fast track to becoming one of the country's leading entities in the river and material handling rental and sales business. Furthermore, his experience as a Heavy and Highway Foreman/ Supt. gives him a well-rounded understanding of the needs and issues 5R customers face every day. Chad has been on the Illinois River Basin board for Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, LLC, since 2012 and brings several years of experience in the scrap, port, and bulk material handling businesses.

"I believe in building and maintaining relationships by keeping focus on every aspect of the customer's business. We realize that by making you successful we will also succeed". Adding the PLM Crane Distribution in 2021, has been a journey for succession planning for PLM customers across the North American Continent. The Redesigning of the Duty Cycle Cranes to compete in the US, has been vital in its success here and abroad. Being able to transport bigger equipment and get service in remote locations is the goal for 5R and PLM America’s

Tom Ellis

VP Operations

Email: tom.ellis@5rents.com
Phone: (219) 712-5549

Tom is a 50-year veteran in our industry with wide experience ranging from equipment operator (private sector and US Navy Seabees) to contractor field operations to retiring as President of Howell Tractor. The opportunity to work with 5R Enterprises pulled him out of retirement because he found their offering in the PLM Duty-Cycle Cranes a unique alternative to the limited offerings available in the duty-cycle crane market today. He is “old school”, keeps his word, values a handshake, and expects the same from others. Tom is very detail oriented and responds accordingly. His timeliness is not to be matched in the industry. His experience allows him to understand not only the equipment industry, but also what it is like to be on your side of the desk, the challenges you face, and connect the value we bring to help further your business objectives.

Nick Klein

Territory Sales Manager

Email: nick@5rents.com
Phone: (312) 350-3179

Nick is a sales rep and territory manager for 5R Enterprises – primarily covering the states surrounding Lake Michigan – WI, IL, IN, MI. Nick grew up in Streator IL, attended Marquette High School in Ottawa, IL. A graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2002 with a focus on business and economics, Nick began his career in sales with a large Midwest vacuum truck manufacturer, traveling full time in the US and Canada. Looking to expand, he took a marketing job at a medical practice in downtown Chicago. After transitioning to the finance and investment advisory industry for the next 6 years, Nick returned to the heavy equipment industry where he started. He worked for a crane and rigging company and transitioned into a national equipment rental house, before coming to 5R Enterprises in 2018. Nick's dedication to his customers and their support has him leading the industry in credibility and reliability, with the knowledge to advise on site.

Nick lives with his wife Cari and two teenage sons in Minooka, IL.

Alan Johnson

Territory Sales Manager

Email: Alan@5rents.com
Phone: (815) 579-1665

Alan brings a wealth of experience in the equipment industry, having previously held key roles at Mi-Jack, United Rentals, and Howell Tractor/Alta. Specializing in scrap and port machines, he has extensive knowledge of heavy equipment sales and a strong track record of providing tailored solutions to customers in Scrap and Port Handling Equipment

Alan will focus on expanding relationships, delivering expert guidance, and ensuring that our customers receive the highest level of service and support.

John Kissner

Crane and Clam Sales Representative

Email: John@5rents.com
Phone: (815) 600-4712

John brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, having previously worked with Anvil and Bateman, where he built strong relationships and a deep understanding of material handling solutions. With his extensive background in crane and clam equipment sales, John is committed to providing top-tier service and expertise to our customers. His role will focus on delivering high-quality equipment, parts, and support tailored to the needs of businesses throughout the Gulf and East Coast regions.

Julie Tarter

Office and Accounts Manager

Email: julie@5rents.com
Phone: (815) 666-6033

Julie grew up in rural central Illinois where she developed a love of all things Midwest. She eventually raised her family here with the same appreciation of simple living and hard work. Julie started out working as a fleet maintenance clerk for several years. She later developed and honed her office management skills and experience working in both the heavy equipment contractor and heavy equipment service provider areas of the industry.

Julie came to 5R in 2017 when it was just starting to grow and take off, which provided her the valuable benefit of being an integral part of the development of all aspects of operations. She has supported sales, rentals, parts and service from the ground up which evolved into her position as Office and Accounts Manager. All this has given her a real understanding and appreciation of the value of every 5R team member’s role as together they work to keep their commitment to meet even the most specialized of their customer’s needs.

Chris Gunier

Parts Manager

Email: chris@5rents.com
Phone: (630) 330-0386

Chris became the parts manager at 5R Enterprises in December of 2023. Chris is a graduate of Serena High School and Northern Illinois University. He worked at his family business, National Tractor Parts, Inc. for over thirty years. Most of those years he worked with Caterpillar as the manager of both inventory and logistics.

Chris has been married for 34 years and has three children and two grandchildren. The number one lesson that his father taught him about business is that the sale is important, but the most important thing is the service that follows.

Erica Rath

Sales & Rental Manager

Email: Erica@5rents.com
Phone: (815) 666-6033

Erica Rath joined the 5R team in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from a background deeply rooted in the heavy equipment industry. In her role as Sales & Rental Manager, Erica oversees the daily operations of sales and rentals, managing AR, billing, contracts, and trucking logistics. Her broad skill set enables her to seamlessly support multiple departments, including assisting the service team in delivering outstanding customer service.

A natural problem-solver with a customer-first mindset, Erica is dedicated to ensuring smooth operations across all facets of the business. Her industry expertise and hands-on approach make her a valuable asset to both the team and 5R’s clients.

Outside of work, Erica enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children, family and friends. A passionate animal lover, she also devotes much of her free time to caring for her horses, combining her love for animals with her strong work ethic.