DL Manufacturing
DL Manufacturing is a privately held North Syracuse, NY-based designer and manufacturer of patented loading-dock and material-handling equipment — including doors, lights, fans, seals, and safety systems — sold primarily to Fortune 500 distribution, grocery, and industrial customers via regional field sales and an online parts store.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersNorth Syracuse, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DL Manufacturing does
DL Manufacturing, Inc. is a privately held, North Syracuse, NY-based designer and manufacturer of loading-dock and material-handling equipment, founded in 1996 by Don Metz and operating from a 68,000+ sq ft consolidated facility on Gateway Park Drive. The company builds a six-category product portfolio covering lighting (Versa Light halogen and LED lines, Guide Light), ventilation (AeroTec, AeroTec AC, DL Fan, Big Swirl Fan), warehouse solutions (DL Flexi-Can, Leveler Koozi, Leveler Blanket), doors and operators (DLX Operator, MxV, PxV, QxV knock-out/sectional doors, DL Screen Door, K-Guard), safety (Safety Signal, Smart Chock, Vector Chock, Strap Barrier, Handy Chock), and bumpers/seals (Zero Impact Bumper, U-Seal, Dynamic Dock Seal, DL Rain Dam, DL Rigid Truck Shelter, Dock Corner Seal). Differentiation rests on nine granted (and additional pending) patents around brush-in-track knock-out doors, ultrasonic wheel-restraint sensing, automated head-pad sealing, non-compression foam sealing, convergent photo-eye safety signaling, and high-longevity LED dock lighting.
DL Manufacturing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DL Manufacturing
- Legal name
- DL Manufacturing, Inc.
- Website
- https://dlmanufacturing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- DL Manufacturing is a privately held North Syracuse, NY-based designer and manufacturer of patented loading-dock and material-handling equipment — including doors, lights, fans, seals, and safety systems — sold primarily to Fortune 500 distribution, grocery, and industrial customers via regional field sales and an online parts store.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where DL Manufacturing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Syracuse
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
DL Manufacturing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Loading Dock Equipment Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling loading dock doors (MxV, PxV, QxV), operators, safety equipment, ventilation, lighting, and bumper/seal products to industrial customers.
- Replacement Parts Sales: Ongoing revenue from replacement parts, bulbs, and components through e-commerce webstore for installed equipment.
- Field Service and Installation: Installation and service of loading dock equipment through field service technicians, including maintenance and troubleshooting at customer sites.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LED Versa Light Model 485 - Single LED dock light unit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Strap Barrier with Proximity Sensor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Strap Barrier without Proximity Sensor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LED Versa Light Model 450 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
DL Manufacturing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DL Manufacturing designs, engineers, and manufactures loading dock equipment and safety products for industrial distribution centers, warehouses, cold storage facilities, and manufacturing plants. Its portfolio spans six categories — lighting, ventilation, warehouse solutions, doors and operators, safety systems, and bumpers and seals — and is sold primarily to Fortune 500 enterprises through regional sales reps and a direct parts webstore.
Product overview
DL Manufacturing is a loading dock equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware products across six categories: Lighting (Versa Light 420, LED Versa Light 450, LED Versa Light 485, Guide Light), Ventilation (AeroTec, AeroTec AC, DL Fan, Big Swirl Fan), Warehouse Solutions (DL Flexi-Can, Leveler Koozi, Leveler Blanket), Doors and Operators (DLX Operator, MxV Knock-Out Door, PxV Knock-Out Door, QxV Sectional Door, DL Screen Door, K-Guard), Safety (Safety Signal, Smart Chock, Vector Chock, Strap Barrier, Handy Chock), and Bumpers and Seals (Zero Impact Bumper, U Seal Dock Seal, Dynamic Dock Seal, DL Rain Dam, DL Rigid Truck Shelter, Dock Corner Seal). These products work together as an integrated loading dock system, with many featuring interlocking capabilities where products like Safety Signal and Smart Chock can control and coordinate dock lights, fans, and levelers for automated, safer operations. The company sells directly to Fortune 500 clients and serves the material handling, warehousing, cold storage, and distribution industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Versa Light 420 High-performance halogen dock light with flexible tube that resists overhead door impact, a built-in fan for bulb cooling, and easy positioning for optimal trailer illumination. For loading dock operators at distribution, warehouse, and manufacturing facilities.
- LED Versa Light 450 LED dock light offering complete trailer illumination with 85,000 hours of LED life and light output designed to be easy on the eyes with color temperature of 3100. For loading dock operators seeking energy-efficient dock lighting.
- LED Versa Light 485 Advanced LED dock light with complete trailer illumination, 100,000 hours of LED life, rotating swivel head, and adjustable 36-inch flexible tube. Priced at $599 per unit. For industrial dock operators.
- Guide Light LED light designed to safely guide truck drivers to the correct dock position with multicolor LED outputs in red, green, and yellow for dock communication. For distribution and warehouse loading dock operations.
- AeroTec Air Replacement System Air replacement system that creates a high-velocity column of air moving fresh ambient air into trailers within seconds, circulating throughout the entire trailer. For distribution centers and warehouses needing dock ventilation.
- AeroTec AC Air conditioning system for loading docks that pumps chilled air into trailers, reducing trailer temperatures up to 30 degrees cooler and less humid. For facilities needing climate-controlled trailer ventilation.
- DL Fan Turbo fan with aerodynamic counter-rotation vanes creating a smooth straight air stream, durable plastic housing, and multiple mounting options. For loading dock and warehouse ventilation.
- Big Swirl Fan High Volume High Velocity ceiling-mounted fan designed for tight spaces in warehouses, offering 48-inch high flow with 30,000 CFM capacity. For warehouse operators not suited to HVLS fans.
- DL Flexi-Can Impact resistant industrial trash receptacle that collapses on impact and springs back to shape, made from 1/8 inch high density polyethylene plastic with galvanized steel mounting bracket. For warehouse and dock areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- LED Versa Light 100,000 hours LED life (70% greater than other LED dock lights)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DL Manufacturing
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DL Manufacturing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
DL Manufacturing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Lerentech SolutionsminorLerentech Solutions led the design and development of DL Manufacturing's new modern website, including creative direction, design, photography, copywriting, and web development. Collaboration aimed to refresh DL Manufacturing's online image and enhance user experience with cutting-edge technologies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DL Manufacturing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Assa Abloy Entrance Systems: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems is a broad incumbent in industrial doors, dock equipment, and automated entrance solutions, with global scale and acquisitions spanning loading dock brands. It competes with DL on large multi-site DC deployments as part of a much wider product portfolio.
- Hörmann (Overhead Door Corporation / Hörmann LLC): Hörmann is a broad incumbent industrial door manufacturer with extensive residential, commercial, and industrial door product portfolios. DL competes against Hörmann in industrial sectional and high-performance doors, though Hörmann spans far more end-uses beyond loading docks.
Direct peers
- Systems, LLC (Loading Dock Group): Systems, LLC operates multiple loading dock equipment brands (including Poweramp, DLM, and APSX) covering levelers, restraints, seals, doors, and lifts. Direct competitor to DL with broader SKU breadth and an overlapping Fortune 500 distribution customer base.
- Blue Giant Equipment Corporation: Blue Giant is a direct loading dock equipment peer producing dock levelers, restraints, seals, doors, and lift tables for similar distribution and warehouse customers. Comparable in mid-market product breadth to DL and competes head-to-head on national accounts in North America.
- Rytec Corporation: Rytec is a direct peer in industrial and high-performance doors, including dock and traffic doors used at warehouse and DC facilities. DL's MxV, PxV, and QxV knock-out/flexible door lines compete directly with Rytec's high-speed and impactable door systems.
- Chase Industries (Chase Doors): Chase Industries is a direct peer producing industrial doors, impact doors, and specialty door systems used in warehouse and distribution environments. Overlaps with DL in flexible impactable doors and serves similar loading-dock and customer-segment use cases.
- Poweramp (Systems, LLC): Poweramp is a direct peer manufacturing loading dock levelers, vehicle restraints, and integrated dock safety systems. Comparable to DL on restraint and seal product lines, and a frequent bidder on the same enterprise DC and grocery distribution deals.
- Rite-Hite: Rite-Hite is the dominant direct peer in loading dock equipment, manufacturing dock levelers, vehicle restraints, dock seals, doors, and fans. It directly overlaps with DL across virtually every product line and serves the same Fortune 500 distribution, grocery, and manufacturing end-markets, making it the primary competitor DL would face on most large account bids.
- Dynaco (Entrematic): Dynaco specializes in high-speed and impactable industrial doors for warehouse and logistics facilities, putting it in direct competition with DL's MxV and QxV knock-out and flexible door offerings. Comparable end-customers and overlapping sales channels make it a relevant peer.
Emerging players
- TMI International / Chock Systems: TMI manufactures wheel restraint systems and traffic-management products for the loading dock, directly adjacent to DL's Smart Chock and Vector Chock lines. Smaller in scale than DL but focused specifically on the chock/restraint category and a specialist competitor in this niche.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DL Manufacturing social profiles
Digital presenceDL Manufacturing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DL Manufacturing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DL Manufacturing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DL Manufacturing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DL Manufacturing
What does DL Manufacturing do?
DL Manufacturing designs, engineers, and manufactures loading dock equipment and safety products for industrial distribution centers, warehouses, cold storage facilities, and manufacturing plants. Its portfolio spans six categories — lighting, ventilation, warehouse solutions, doors and operators, safety systems, and bumpers and seals — and is sold primarily to Fortune 500 enterprises through regional sales reps and a direct parts webstore.
Is DL Manufacturing a public or private company?
DL Manufacturing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DL Manufacturing founded?
DL Manufacturing was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is DL Manufacturing based?
DL Manufacturing is headquartered in North Syracuse, United States, in the North America region.
How does DL Manufacturing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Loading Dock Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are replacement Parts Sales and field Service and Installation.
Who are DL Manufacturing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Assa Abloy Entrance Systems and Hörmann (Overhead Door Corporation / Hörmann LLC). Direct peers are Systems, LLC (Loading Dock Group), Blue Giant Equipment Corporation, Rytec Corporation, Chase Industries (Chase Doors), Poweramp (Systems, LLC), Rite-Hite and Dynaco (Entrematic). TMI International / Chock Systems is listed as an emerging player.
Does DL Manufacturing have an API?
No public API is recorded for DL Manufacturing.