Yak Access
Yak Access provides ground protection matting and turnkey site access solutions to construction, infrastructure, energy, data center, and government projects across North America. Acquired by United Rentals in 2024 for $1.1 billion, it operates within URI's Specialty Solutions division.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Yak Access does
Yak Access is a Columbia, United States-based provider of ground protection matting and temporary site access solutions for construction, infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects. Founded in 2017, the company offers a portfolio of physical matting products — including Heavy-Duty Timber Mats, Timberlite™ Light-Duty Timber Mats, 3-Ply Laminated Timber Mats, Timber Crane Mats, and EPZ Grounding Mats — alongside turnkey services such as mat installation and removal, site access planning, land clearing and restoration, site development, civil access, and environmental / SWPPP compliance. The product set addresses the operational problem of equipment and personnel access over muddy, environmentally sensitive, or otherwise challenging terrain, enabling projects to continue during adverse weather while protecting soil and meeting regulatory requirements.
The company's go-to-market operates on a B2B equipment rental and professional services model, with revenue streams from project-based mat rentals (classified as recurring subscription-equivalent revenue) and from accompanying installation, removal, and site preparation services. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, varying with mat type, quantity, duration, and service scope. Customer acquisition is primarily through enterprise field sales, with named customers spanning construction (Jones Capital, Independence Excavating, Healing Place), sports and entertainment infrastructure (Cleveland Guardians / Progressive Field), oil and gas, renewable energy, data centers, power and utility, and government end markets.
In 2024, United Rentals acquired Yak Access for approximately $1.1 billion, integrating the business into its Specialty Solutions division. The acquisition provides Yak Access with access to URI's national and multi-regional (North America, Europe, Australasia) distribution network, field sales force, equipment marketplace, and complementary specialty offerings such as trench safety, power and HVAC, and fluid solutions. Yak Access continues to operate as a brand under the URI umbrella, employing 501–1,000 staff and serving as URI's lead ground protection matting franchise.
Yak Access firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yak Access
- Legal name
- Yak Access
- Website
- https://yakaccess.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Yak Access provides ground protection matting and turnkey site access solutions to construction, infrastructure, energy, data center, and government projects across North America. Acquired by United Rentals in 2024 for $1.1 billion, it operates within URI's Specialty Solutions division.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yak Access industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ground Protection Matting Services
- NAICS
- Construction, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (532412), Construction, Transportation, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53241)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers) (TLABAFAH)
Keywords
Where Yak Access is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Yak Access business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental: Rental of ground protection mats, timber mats, and access solutions to construction and industrial customers on a project basis. Customers pay for equipment rental typically for the duration of their projects.
- Turnkey Services: Service revenue from mat installation, removal, site planning, land clearing, restoration, and environmental compliance services provided alongside equipment rental.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Yak Access product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yak Access rents a portfolio of ground protection mats — including heavy-duty timber mats, Timberlite™ light-duty timber mats, 3-ply laminated timber mats, timber crane mats, and EPZ composite grounding mats — to construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, renewable energy, data center, power, and government customers. The company complements its equipment rental with turnkey matting services covering installation, removal, site access planning, land clearing and restoration, site development and civil access, and environmental/SWPPP compliance.
Product overview
Yak Access, acquired by United Rentals in 2024 for $1.1 billion, is a ground protection matting and site access solutions provider. The company offers a portfolio of timber mats (Heavy-Duty Timber Mat, Timberlite™ Light-Duty Timber Mat, 3-Ply Laminated Timber Mat, Timber Crane Mat) and composite mats (EPZ Grounding Mats) for temporary access roads, staging areas, and equipment support. These products are complemented by turnkey matting services including Mat Installation & Removal, Site Access Planning, Land Clearing & Restoration, Site Development & Civil Access, Access Roads & Matting, and Environmental & SWPPP services. The company serves industries including Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Civil & Infrastructure, Data Centers, Renewable Energy, Restoration & Remediation, Chemical, Oilfield, and Government.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Heavy-Duty Timber Mat
Quantifiable outcome
- Prevented an estimated 65 days of downtime on Jones Capital headquarters project by enabling work to continue on roughly two-thirds of the 100 rainy days during the 18-month project
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Yak Access
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Yak Access technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Yak Access partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Yak Access competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- United Rentals: Yak Access's parent company and the world's largest equipment rental operator. United Rentals provides Yak Access with national distribution, sales force leverage, and a multi-specialty platform; while Yak operates as a brand within URI's Specialty Solutions division, URI's broader portfolio (aerial, earthmoving, power, climate) makes it the parent-incumbent benchmark.
- Ashtead Group: UK-listed parent of Sunbelt Rentals, one of the largest equipment rental groups globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same specialty equipment rental and ground protection space, with a similarly diversified vertical mix across construction, infrastructure, and energy.
Direct peers
- Herc Rentals: Heavy equipment rental company (NYSE: HRI) serving industrial, infrastructure, and commercial customers across North America and Europe. Comparable business model — short- and long-term equipment rental plus tool/specialty solutions — and overlapping customer base in construction and infrastructure projects that require temporary site access.
- Sunbelt Rentals: One of North America's largest equipment rental providers, owned by Ashtead Group. Offers a broad specialty solutions portfolio including ground protection, power, and climate control, and competes head-on with Yak Access/United Rentals for enterprise construction and infrastructure matting contracts.
- BrandSafway: Major industrial access and scaffolding provider serving construction, energy, and infrastructure markets. BrandSafway offers ground protection matting and shoring solutions through its specialty solutions portfolio, competing directly with Yak Access for site access and ground stabilization work on commercial and industrial projects.
- Quality Mat Company: U.S. specialty timber mat rental and manufacturing company focused on temporary roadways, crane mats, and rig mats for oil & gas, pipeline, utility, and heavy civil customers. Direct head-to-head competitor in timber mat rental with a similar turnkey service orientation in the same customer verticals.
- Maxim Crane Works: Largest privately held crane rental company in North America, also offering ground protection mats, outrigger pads, and site access solutions to industrial and energy customers. Overlaps with Yak Access in supplying crane mats and heavy-duty ground protection for construction and energy projects.
- LGH (Lifting Gear Hire): Specialty equipment rental provider focused on lifting, rigging, and material handling solutions for industrial and construction customers. Provides heavy-duty crane mats, outrigger pads, and ground protection alongside its core rigging rental offering, competing for similar industrial project work.
Regional players
- Mabey Hire: UK-based specialist equipment rental provider offering groundworks, propping, temporary bridging, and ground protection matting. Operates in the same product category but is geographically focused on the UK/Ireland market rather than North America.
Emerging players
- Norseman Protective Solutions: Manufacturer of composite ground protection mats and rig mats used in oil & gas, construction, and events. Adjacent player that supplies competing composite-mat technology to the same end markets and represents a technology alternative to Yak Access's timber-heavy portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Yak Access social profiles
Digital presenceYak Access financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yak Access leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Yak Access funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yak Access M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yak Access
What does Yak Access do?
Yak Access rents a portfolio of ground protection mats — including heavy-duty timber mats, Timberlite™ light-duty timber mats, 3-ply laminated timber mats, timber crane mats, and EPZ composite grounding mats — to construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, renewable energy, data center, power, and government customers. The company complements its equipment rental with turnkey matting services covering installation, removal, site access planning, land clearing and restoration, site development and civil access, and environmental/SWPPP compliance.
Is Yak Access a public or private company?
Yak Access is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Yak Access founded?
Yak Access was founded in 2017. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Yak Access based?
Yak Access is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Yak Access make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental is the primary driver. The others are turnkey Services.
Who are Yak Access's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are United Rentals and Ashtead Group. Direct peers are Herc Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, BrandSafway, Quality Mat Company, Maxim Crane Works and LGH (Lifting Gear Hire). Mabey Hire is listed as a regional player. Norseman Protective Solutions is listed as an emerging player.
Does Yak Access have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yak Access.
What industry is Yak Access in?
Yak Access's product category is Ground Protection Matting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAH, Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers). Its NAICS code is 532412 and its SIC code is 7350.