Acrow

What Acrow does

Acrow is a South African industrial manufacturer founded in 1946 and headquartered in Germiston, South Africa, with operations across four continents. The company operates three business lines: storage solutions (pallet racking, shelving, and mezzanine systems), construction equipment (scaffolding, formwork, and access systems), and modular steel bridges built on its proprietary Acrow Crimped Box Beam technology. The company employs 300+ people and operates branch offices and yards in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban (South Africa), Warwick (United Kingdom), Turin (Italy), and Tennessee (United States), supporting project delivery across Africa, Europe, and North America.

The company sells primarily through B2B direct sales and project-based contracting. Enterprise storage and racking customers include Walmart, Unilever, Toyota, DHL, BMW, Anglo American, Makro, Builders Warehouse, SABMiller, Spar, and Excellerate Properties, spanning retail, logistics, mining, automotive, and commercial property verticals. Modular bridges are sold or rented to public infrastructure authorities and private operators; recent deployments include Bristol Airport, Manitoba Highway 3, Foothills Trail, and a 186-bridge program in Angola. Pricing mechanisms appear to be mix of unit sale (racking, formwork), rental (modular bridges), and project tender (bridge infrastructure).

Acrow holds certifications including SABS ISO 9001:2015, NHBRC accreditation, CILT membership, SEMA, FEM, and EN 15512 compliance, which serve as gating credentials in both commercial storage tenders and public infrastructure bids. Sub-brands AcrowStrut and Acrow Autorack extend the storage product line. The company won the NCE Bridges Award for Bridge Supplier of the Year 2026, signaling industry recognition that supports premium positioning in international bridge tenders.

Name

Acrow

Legal name

Acrow

Website

https://acrow.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Acrow is a South African industrial manufacturer founded in 1946 that produces storage racking systems, construction equipment (scaffolding and formwork), and modular steel bridges. It serves enterprise customers across retail, logistics, mining, automotive, and public infrastructure sectors through offices in South Africa, the UK, Italy, and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Storage and Construction Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Telecommunications & Fiber Duct/Conduit Systems (IMANADAD)

Keywords

• Storage racking systems
• Warehouse shelving solutions
• Modular steel bridges
• Scaffolding and formwork
• Cable management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Storage and Construction Equipment Sales: Sale of racking, shelving, scaffolding, formwork, wire trunking, cable reticulation, and strut products. Products available in component form for self-assembly or as part of professional design and installation service.
2. Professional Services and Turnkey Solutions: Design, installation, consulting services, project management, operational procedures development, training, product slotting, safety audits, and maintenance services.
3. Modular Bridge Rental: Rental of modular steel bridges for temporary access during construction or bridge rehabilitation projects. Bridges are rented to contractors for specific project durations.
4. Permanent Bridge Sales: Sale of permanent modular steel bridges to government departments and contractors. Bridges are designed and supplied to meet specific loading standards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Acrow manufactures and supplies storage and construction equipment, including pallet racking, shelving systems, mezzanine flooring, scaffolding, formwork, cable management (AcrowStrut), and modular steel bridges. The company offers both component-form products for self-assembly and comprehensive turnkey design-and-installation services for enterprise and infrastructure customers.

Product overview

Acrow is a South African storage and construction equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of products since 1946. The company provides racking solutions (Adjustable Pallet Racking, Extra Heavy Duty Racking, Mobile Racking, Drive-In Racking, Live Pallet Rack, Mole Racking, Series 70 & 75, Carton Flow Racking, Canti-Rack), shelving systems (Retail Gondola, Wholesale Gondola, In-Rack Gondola, AB Shelving, Pressfit Shelving, Library Shelving, FLE 2000, Compacrow), and storage solutions (Mezzanine Flooring, Shopfitting). Additionally, Acrow offers scaffolding and formwork products (Props, Selfix Towers, Floor Centres, Road Forms, Column Boxes, Decking Panels), cable management solutions (AcrowStrut), and essential services. All products are available for self-assembly in component form or as part of professional design and installation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AcrowStrut: Cable Management Solution manufactured by Acrow, providing a full range of products for Cable Management and Reticulation. Products include P1000-P2000, Return Flange Cable Tray, Perforated Cable Tray, Cable ladder, P8000, P9000, Welded Wire Mesh, Cantilever Arms Series 254, Fasteners, and Threaded Rod.
• Acrow Autorack

Products and services

• Adjustable Pallet Racking Static racking system for pallet storage, available in Extra Light Duty to Extra Heavy Duty ratings (3 tons to 24 tons), with face widths from 55mm to 120mm. Used by warehouses and distribution centers.
• Mobile Racking (Acrow Autorack) Acrow Autorack mobile system enabling conventional pallet racking to be mounted on moveable bases, providing maximum possible density of storage and reduced operating costs.
• Mezzanine Flooring Full mezzanine flooring solution for warehouse space optimization with accessories including staircases, hand and knee railing, loading gates, and custom support structures.
• Extra Heavy Duty Racking Custom heavy-duty racking with capacity of 30 tons or more, featuring beams with capacity up to 6 tons per pair and extra heavy-duty four-lug connectors for stability.
• Drive-In Racking Maximum floor area utilization system ideal for cold room environments, operating on first-in-last-out basis or drive-through configuration to maximize warehouse density.
• Pallet Flow Racking (Live Pallet) Gravity-feed pallet storage system ensuring first-in-first-out operation, with pallets stored up to 20 deep and mass capacity of 1.5 tons per pallet.
• Carton Flow Racking (Carton Live) Gravity-feed picking system operating on FIFO basis with no energy consumption, increasing picking performance and enabling accurate stock rotation control.
• Mole Racking High-density pallet storage solution using FIFO and LIFO methods, enabling accurate stock tracking, increased productivity, and decreased product damage.
• Canti-Rack Cantilever racking system for single and double-sided operations with arms from 600mm to 1800mm long, suitable for powder coating or hot dipped galvanized finish for outdoor use.
• Series 70 & 75 Racking Static racking systems including the smaller Series 70 version and Series 75 louvre 2-part pallet storage system with integral beam safety-locking tab.
• In-Rack Gondola Heavy duty rack-supported shelving system for retail-wholesale chains allowing larger volume display with bulk stock storage overhead for easy merchandise replenishment.
• Pressfit Shelving (Kwik Shelving) Boltless modular shelving system available in 4 basic sizes with carrying capacities from 70kg to 150kg depending on shelf dimensions.
• Library Shelving Efficient library shelving in standard sizes with all-steel construction, epoxy-polyester powder coated finish, and independently adjustable shelves.
• FLE 2000 Boltless Shelving Versatile boltless shelving system suitable for shops, offices, homes or warehouses with light to heavy duty configurations requiring no tools for assembly.
• Compacrow Shelving Mobile shelving units requiring approximately 4kg pressure to move one ton of merchandise, providing accessibility, security, and economy by doubling storage capacity.
• AB Shelving Modular bolted shelving system available in 4 basic depths with shelf length of 914mm, heights from 1905mm to 2515mm, and 25.4mm pitch profile configuration.
• Wholesale Gondola Metric or Wholesale Gondola designed for cash and carry, hyper and superstore operations with 4-part basic system, easy assembly, and extensive accessory range.
• Retail Gondola Light to medium duty clip-in boltless shelving system suitable for merchandising small to medium products, used by family grocers, supermarkets, pharmacies, and garages.
• Shopfitting Service Complete store shopfitting service with in-house manufacturing plant capability for retail store openings and renovations.
• AcrowStrut Cable Management Cable management and reticulation solution providing products including P1000-P2000, return flange cable tray, perforated cable tray, cable ladder, P8000, P9000, welded wire mesh, and cantilever arms.
• Scaffolding & Formwork Range Complete range including thru/coil/ferrule ties, stage & coffers, road forms, floor centres, flexform panels, economy form panels, decking panels, column boxes, stage system, selfix towers, scaffold tube & fittings, and props.
• Acrow Props Structural support props designed for construction applications.
• Acrow Selfix Towers Quick, safe, and easily erected portable tower with components that slot together, available in mobile or static configurations.
• Floor Centres Standard telescopic floor centres available in two sizes covering ranges from 1620 to 4570mm, light and compact for easy handling and application.
• Essential Services Products Essential service products including hospital beds, hand sanitizer dispenser stands, and paper roll dispensers manufactured to requirements.
• 700XS Modular Steel Bridge Modular steel bridge system designed for rapid deployment. Features epoxy aggregate deck designed to CL-625 Live Load standards, accommodating vehicles and pedestrians. Used for temporary access during construction or permanent bridge replacements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Modular bridge installed in 54.86 meters with 5.5 meters width for emergency access maintenance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Transvaal TrainingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 October 2025Transvaal Training serves as the official judging partner for the Forklift Driver Competition at Electra Mining Africa, an event organized by Lifting Africa with support from Platinum Sponsors Acrow Racking & Shelving and Jungheinrich.
• SABS (South African Bureau of Standards)coreOthersAcrow manufactures following SANS ISO 9001:2015 Standards (SABS) which is monitored for full traceability. All product batches are laboratory tested and manufactured following SABS specifications.
• CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport)coreOthersAcrow is accredited by CILT for racking and shelving solutions, demonstrating industry expertise and professional standards.
• NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council)coreOthersAcrow manufactures formwork and scaffolding in accordance with NHBRC Certification, ensuring quality workmanship and compliance with safety standards.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Layher: German-based scaffolding and formwork manufacturer with comparable product range to Acrow's Selfix Towers and scaffolding accessories. Direct competitor in construction access equipment.
• PERI: Global leader in formwork and scaffolding systems with comparable product lines to Acrow's scaffold tube & fittings, props, and formwork panels. Direct competitor in the construction equipment segment.
• Janson Bridging: Dutch modular bridge rental and sales company serving European infrastructure markets. Comparable to Acrow's modular bridge business on rental model and emergency deployment capabilities.
• Constructor Group / Dexion: Dexion (part of Constructor Group) is a European racking and storage systems manufacturer with comparable product portfolio including pallet racking, shelving, and mezzanines. Direct competitor across shared product families.
• Mecalux: Spain-based manufacturer of pallet racking, shelving, and warehouse storage systems with strong international presence. Direct competitor to Acrow on pallet racking, drive-in, and cantilever product families.
• Mabey Bridge: UK-based manufacturer of modular steel bridges, especially for temporary and emergency applications. Direct peer in the same modular bridge category that Acrow's 700XS product competes in.

Broad incumbents

• Kardex: Swiss-listed storage solutions provider spanning shelving, automated storage, and material handling. Comparable product overlap on shelving and mobile racking, with broader software/automation capabilities.
• SSI Schaefer: Global market leader in racking, shelving, mezzanines, and integrated warehouse solutions with much larger scale than Acrow. Directly comparable on the storage equipment product portfolio and enterprise customer overlap.

Regional players

• BSS Racking: UK-based racking and shelving distributor/manufacturer serving UK and European markets. Comparable to Acrow's UK branch operations in Warwick, competing for warehouse storage customers.

Emerging players

• Acrow Bridge: US-based international bridge engineering company specializing in modular steel bridging — the same product family Acrow has launched through its 700XS system. Closest direct peer for the modular bridge rental/sales business despite being a separate entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AcrowSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acrowsa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acrow