Akkerman
Akkerman manufactures trenchless underground construction equipment—pilot tube, microtunneling, tunnel boring, and sliplining systems—serving water, sewer, oil and gas, electric, and telecom contractors across the United States, Canada, and internationally. The only North American manufacturer of both pilot tube and slurry microtunneling equipment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersBrownsdale, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Akkerman does
Akkerman, Inc. is a privately-held, third-generation family-owned manufacturer of trenchless underground construction equipment, headquartered and produced in Brownsdale, Minnesota. Founded in 1973 (with roots to a 1956 construction firm), the company designs and builds pipe jacking, guided boring, microtunneling, tunnel boring, earth pressure balance, rock boring, and sliplining systems that enable contractors to install water, sewer, oil and gas, electric, and telecom infrastructure beneath roads, railways, runways, and waterways without open-cut excavation. Akkerman is the only North American manufacturer offering both pilot tube and slurry microtunneling equipment systems from a single source, with proprietary technology including the AZ-100 azimuth-based self-surveying guidance system, Ferritic Nitrocarburizing surface treatment, and 5200 Series pump units supporting pipe diameters from 4 inches to 168 inches and rock boring capabilities up to 15,000 psi UCS.
The company monetizes through direct equipment sales (standard inventory and custom-engineered configurations), short-term rentals, rent-to-purchase programs (in partnership with NOCR, LLC for financing), and a substantial aftermarket parts and technical service business supported by an inventory of over 10,000 replacement parts. Its go-to-market combines a US-territory direct field sales force, inside sales, factory-certified field technicians, and the 2023-opened D.H. Akkerman Training and Development Grounds. Primary customer segments are trenchless contractors operating in water and sewer infrastructure, road/rail/runway crossings, oil and gas, and electric and telecom verticals, with named customers including Lowe Construction, Minger Construction, Pacific Boring, Total Trenchless, The Tunneling Company, Super Excavators, and Earth Boring Co. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and MNSHARP certifications and serves a global installed base despite operating primarily from a single Minnesota manufacturing facility.
Akkerman firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Akkerman
- Legal name
- Akkerman, Inc.
- Website
- https://akkerman.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Akkerman manufactures trenchless underground construction equipment—pilot tube, microtunneling, tunnel boring, and sliplining systems—serving water, sewer, oil and gas, electric, and telecom contractors across the United States, Canada, and internationally. The only North American manufacturer of both pilot tube and slurry microtunneling equipment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Akkerman industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trenchless Construction Equipment
- NAICS
- Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120)
- SIC
- Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trenchers & Pipe Layers (IMAHAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Underground Mining Equipment (Loaders/LHDs, Continuous Miners, Longwall Systems) (IMAKANAB)
Keywords
Where Akkerman is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brownsdale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Akkerman business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: Direct purchase of trenchless equipment including TBMs, GBMs, MTBMs, pump units, guidance systems, and accessories. Equipment can be customized to suit specific project requirements. Discounts available for in-stock new and factory refurbished inventory.
- Equipment Rental: Short-term rental of trenchless equipment for small to mid-scale projects. Customers can rent size-specific components such as TBMs or MTBMs to complement their current project equipment. Rental fees are tax-deductible as business expenses.
- Rent-to-Purchase: Program allowing customers to rent equipment with payments applied towards eventual purchase. Does not require large initial capital investment while allowing cash flow management. Avoids risk of large investment if equipment proves unsuitable.
- Aftermarket Parts: Over 10,000 replacement parts inventory to support all major product lines. Parts ordered individually or as discounted spare parts volume packages. Direct drop shipping from suppliers to job sites for unique or out-of-stock items.
- Technical Support & Training: Field technicians with extensive experience provide operational training, on-site support, equipment installations, and repairs. Factory-certified technicians available for onsite training to ensure long-term success.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment Purchase - Standard Inventory |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment Purchase - Custom/Engineered |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment Rental |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Rent-to-Purchase |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Akkerman product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Akkerman develops, manufactures, and supports advanced trenchless underground construction equipment systems for accurately installing pipe in an extensive range of ground conditions. Its core offerings include guided boring machines (GBM), slurry microtunneling systems, tunnel boring machines (TBM), earth pressure balance machines (EPBM), rock boring units (RBU), pipe jacking systems, and sliplining rehabilitation equipment, sold directly to contractors along with aftermarket parts and technical support services.
Product overview
Akkerman is a manufacturer of trenchless underground construction equipment, offering a comprehensive portfolio of pipe jacking and tunneling systems. The product lineup centers on five core equipment categories: Guided Boring Machine (GBM) Systems (including 4800, 240A, and 308A/339A jacking frames with associated guidance systems), Slurry Microtunneling Systems (SLC Center Drive and SLP Periphery Drive for 30-114 inch diameters), Tunnel Boring Machines and Earth Pressure Balance Machines (for 48-168 inch installations), and Sliplining equipment (SLS-100 for pipe rehabilitation). Supporting these core systems are specialized guidance systems (AZ100 Total Guidance, GBM Guidance, MTBM Guidance, Tunneling Guidance), lubrication and bentonite injection systems, powered cutting heads, rock boring units, pump units (5200 Series), jacking frames, intermediate jacking stations, and muck haul systems. The company also provides comprehensive aftermarket support including over 10,000 replacement parts, technical training, and equipment sales, leasing, and rental options. Akkerman is the only North American manufacturer of both pilot tube and slurry microtunneling equipment systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Guided Boring Machine (GBM) Systems Akkerman's flagship guided boring equipment that combines pilot tube technology with jacking frames for accurate trenchless pipe installation. Includes GBM 4800, GBM 240A, and GBM 308A & 339A jacking frame systems with +/- 1-inch grade and +/- 3-inch alignment accuracy.
- Slurry Microtunneling Systems (SLC/SLP) Slurry microtunneling equipment providing continuous face support and material transport via closed-loop slurry circuit. Includes SLC Center Drive and SLP Periphery Drive systems for 30-in to 114-in OD diameters.
- Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) Mechanical excavation systems for utility tunnel installation. Includes steerable machines for diameters 48-in to 168-in with various cutterhead designs for different ground conditions, used with the 5200 Series pump unit providing up to 400-ton thrust.
- Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM) Closed-mode tunneling equipment for soft, wet, or unstable ground under the water table. EPB machines balance earth pressure at the cutter head by controlling advance rate with excavated soil discharge rate.
- Rock Boring Units (RBU) Purpose-built cutter heads with roller disc cutters for rock applications, available in 24-in to 48-in diameters for use with any auger boring machine, featuring 6.5-in disc cutters, muck scrapers, high capacity main bearing, and water-jetting for cooling in rock up to 15,000 psi UCS.
- Excavator Shield System Steerable forward shield with hood for ground stabilization during excavator-based tunneling operations. Used for larger diameter utility and crossing tunnels with manual excavation at the tunnel face.
- SLS-100 Slip-Liner System Sliplining equipment for pipe rehabilitation that inserts a new liner pipe inside deteriorated pipelines, operating in live sewers without service disruptions or bypass pumping for 30-in to 102-in diameters. Remotely operated with safety devices including e-stops and brakes.
- 5200 Series Pump Unit Versatile hydraulic power system providing power to tunnel boring machines while simultaneously advancing the pipe string. Provides 400-ton thrust for pipe diameters 36-in to 168-in, with multiple hydraulic flow modes up to 200 gpm, compatible with all Akkerman pipe jacking TBM diameters.
- AZ100 Total Guidance System Proprietary azimuth-based pipe jacking guidance system that allows accurate pipe jacking guidance on long drives and complex alignments without requiring continual manual surveyance. Self-surveying system.
- Equipment Sales, Leasing & Rental Multiple purchase, lease, and rent-to-purchase options for trenchless equipment. Extensive inventory of new and refurbished equipment with customization options, short-term rentals for small to mid-scale projects in the US and Canada, and rent-to-purchase programs allowing customers to apply rental payments toward eventual purchase.
- Aftermarket Parts Over 10,000 replacement parts inventoried to support all major Akkerman product lines. Parts can be ordered individually or as discounted spare parts volume packages, with direct drop shipping from suppliers to job sites for unique or out-of-stock items.
- Technical Training, Installation & Field Service Factory-certified field technicians with over 125 years of combined service provide operational training, on-site equipment installations, repairs, and ongoing technical support. Customers can also train at the D.H. Akkerman Training and Development Grounds at the company's facility.
- Custom Machining and Fabrication Custom machining and fabrication services for specialized equipment components and bespoke solutions to address unique project requirements that cannot be met with standard offerings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Drive lengths up to 3,000+ LF achievable with microtunneling in appropriate conditions
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Akkerman
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Akkerman technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Akkerman partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Akkerman competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Herrenknecht AG: German-headquartered world leader in tunnel boring machines, microtunneling equipment, and pipe jacking systems. Directly comparable as both companies manufacture slurry microtunneling and TBM equipment for utility and infrastructure pipe installation, with overlapping product lines in EPB and guidance systems.
- The Robbins Company: US-based manufacturer of tunnel boring machines and underground construction equipment serving civil infrastructure, mining, and hydroelectric projects. Comparable as a TBM-focused manufacturer with overlapping product categories in main-beam and EPB TBMs used in similar pipe-jacking and tunnel installation applications.
- Bohrtec GmbH: German-based manufacturer of trenchless boring equipment including auger boring machines, pipe ramming systems, and HDD rigs for utility installation. Comparable as a focused equipment manufacturer serving the same trenchless construction customer base with overlapping microtunneling and guided boring methods.
- Barbco, Inc. US-based manufacturer of auger boring machines, horizontal directional drills, and trenchless underground construction equipment for utility installation. Comparable as a focused equipment manufacturer of boring and trenchless equipment serving the same North American contractor base.
- American Augers: US-based manufacturer of horizontal directional drills, auger boring machines, and trenchless equipment for utility and pipeline installation. Comparable as a focused equipment manufacturer in the trenchless construction equipment market serving similar contractors and applications.
Broad incumbents
- Vermeer Corporation: Iowa-based, family-owned manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment, with trenchless brands including Ditch Witch for horizontal directional drilling. Comparable as a broader equipment manufacturer serving underground construction contractors with overlapping channels, customer base, and application footprint.
- Epiroc: Swedish-based subsidiary of Atlas Copco manufacturing drilling, rock excavation, and underground infrastructure equipment for mining and civil construction. Comparable as a diversified manufacturer serving contractors in rock boring, TBMs, and trenchless applications with global scale advantages.
- Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions: Swedish-based division of Sandik AB manufacturing mining and rock excavation equipment including TBMs and underground infrastructure equipment. Comparable as a major equipment manufacturer serving trenchless and underground construction contractors with rock boring and tunnel excavation capability.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Akkerman social profiles
Digital presenceAkkerman compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Akkerman financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Akkerman leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Akkerman funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Akkerman 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 Akkerman
What does Akkerman do?
Akkerman develops, manufactures, and supports advanced trenchless underground construction equipment systems for accurately installing pipe in an extensive range of ground conditions. Its core offerings include guided boring machines (GBM), slurry microtunneling systems, tunnel boring machines (TBM), earth pressure balance machines (EPBM), rock boring units (RBU), pipe jacking systems, and sliplining rehabilitation equipment, sold directly to contractors along with aftermarket parts and technical support services.
Is Akkerman a public or private company?
Akkerman is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Akkerman founded?
Akkerman was founded in 1973. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Akkerman based?
Akkerman is headquartered in Brownsdale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Akkerman make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rental, rent-to-Purchase, aftermarket Parts and technical Support & Training.
Who are Akkerman's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Herrenknecht AG, The Robbins Company, Bohrtec GmbH, Barbco, Inc. and American Augers. Broad incumbents are Vermeer Corporation, Epiroc and Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
Does Akkerman have an API?
No public API is recorded for Akkerman.
What industry is Akkerman in?
Akkerman's product category is Trenchless Construction Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAAAJ, Trenchers & Pipe Layers, with a secondary code of IMAKANAB, Underground Mining Equipment (Loaders/LHDs, Continuous Miners, Longwall Systems). Its NAICS code is 333120 and its SIC code is 3531.