What Rapid Prep does

Rapid Prep LLC is a U.S.-based industrial surface preparation equipment rental and sales company headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, founded in 2006. The company operates one of the largest surface preparation equipment rental fleets in the country through eight service center locations (North Kingstown RI, Suffolk VA, Suwanee GA, El Cajon CA, Lakewood WA, Jacksonville FL, Polk City FL, and Rancho Cucamonga CA) plus two channel partner operations, providing 24/7 emergency service and nationwide delivery to all 50 U.S. states and Canada. Its equipment portfolio spans industrial dust collectors (2,500–60,000 CFM) with cyclonic separators and multi-stage nanofiber filtration, blast pots ranging from portable 3.5 cu. ft. units to Schmidt 8-ton and proprietary 28-ton bulk abrasive systems, vacuum blasting machines (VB 1200/2400), wet/dustless sandblasting systems (Amphiblast, Dust Free Greener Blaster) that suppress up to 92% of airborne dust, self-powered desiccant dehumidifiers (Drynamo 5000 DH), industrial vacuum systems, portable blaster packages, compressed air dryers, blast cabinets and rooms, and a full line of consumables, abrasives, parts, and personal protective equipment.

The company monetizes through a hybrid model: usage-based short- and long-term equipment rentals, one-time sales of new and refurbished equipment (including used-equipment brokerage), transaction-based sales of consumables and replacement parts, and recurring professional services including preventive maintenance, on-site rapid response, engine/blower oil changes, filter replacements, fabrication, and custom blast pot builds. Pricing is quote-based with a 24-hour quote guarantee; transaction sizes range from $31 consumables to $78,000+ capital equipment. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales executed through direct quote requests, a 1-877 sales line, regional sales managers at each service center, and a dedicated National Accounts Manager, supplemented by channel partners Blast Coat Systems and Pinnacle Central Company. Target verticals include maritime/shipyard, defense, infrastructure/bridges, fuel and water tanks, municipal, offshore/energy, food processing, and powder and bulk material handling.

In January 2024, Source Capital made a private equity investment in Rapid Prep, validating its position as a scaled, multi-regional player in the U.S. surface preparation equipment market. The company employs 11–50 staff and operates as Rapid Prep LLC, domiciled in Rhode Island.

Name

Rapid Prep

Legal name

Rapid Prep LLC

Website

https://rapidprep.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rapid Prep LLC rents and sells industrial surface preparation and sandblasting equipment—including dust collectors, blast pots, vacuum blasting systems, dehumidifiers, and abrasives—through eight U.S. service centers, serving maritime, defense, infrastructure, and industrial enterprise customers with 24/7 nationwide service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Equipment Rental & Sales

NAICS

Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53249), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Surface Preparation & Compaction Equipment Rental/Leasing (Compactors, Rollers, Grinders) (TLABAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Cleaning & Environmental Equipment Rental/Leasing (Vacuum Trucks, Dust Control, Dehumidifiers) (TLABAFAK), Industrial Power & Energy Equipment Rental/Leasing (Generators, Light Towers, Compressors) (TLABAFAG), Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN)

Keywords

• Surface preparation equipment
• Industrial sandblasting equipment
• Abrasive blasting rental
• Dust collection systems
• Industrial equipment rental

Headquarters

HQ city

North Kingstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rentals: Short-term and long-term rental of industrial sandblasting equipment including blast pots, dust collectors, vacuum systems, dehumidifiers, and climate control equipment. Provides 24/7 emergency response capability and nationwide delivery from eight service center locations.
2. Equipment Sales: Direct sales of new and refurbished surface preparation equipment including sandblasting pots, dust collectors, industrial vacuums, accessories, abrasives, and safety equipment. Also offers used equipment brokerage services for customers looking to sell existing equipment.
3. Parts and Accessories: Sales of replacement parts, abrasives, blast nozzles, hoses, filters, metering valves, controls, and other consumables. Full inventory maintained at all five service locations with 24-hour shipping capability.
4. Equipment Maintenance and Service: Value-add services including industrial equipment maintenance, upgrades, customization, engine/blower oil changes, filter replacements, wear part replacements, fabrication services, and custom blast pots. On-site rapid response and preventive maintenance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rapid Prep rents and sells industrial surface preparation equipment—including dust collectors, abrasive blast pots, vacuum blasting systems, wet sandblasting units, industrial vacuums, and climate control equipment—to industrial contractors and operators. It operates one of the largest surface preparation rental fleets in the U.S., distributed across eight service centers and supported with 24/7 emergency response, parts, maintenance, and used equipment brokerage.

Product overview

Rapid Prep is a provider of professional industrial sandblasting equipment rentals and sales, operating one of the largest surface preparation equipment rental fleets in the United States. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products including dust collectors (2,500-60,000 CFM), abrasive and media blasting equipment (blast pots ranging from portable units to 28-ton systems), grit blasting and vacuum blasting machines (VB 1200 and VB 2400 series), wet sandblasting equipment (Amphiblast, Greener Blaster), climate control equipment (dehumidifiers, air conditioners, heaters), industrial vacuum systems, portable blaster packages, and compressed air drying systems. The product line extends to safety equipment (blast hoods, suits, respirators, gas monitors), abrasive blast cabinets and booths, power tools, and a full range of consumable abrasives and accessories. The company serves maritime, defense, industrial, and infrastructure sectors across eight service center locations, providing both equipment sales and rental options with 24-hour support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Dust Collectors Industrial dust collection systems ranging from 2,500 to 60,000 CFM with cyclonic separators, multi-stage nanofiber filtration, and portable/trailer/skid-mounted configurations for containing airborne particulates during sandblasting operations. Available for rent or purchase to industrial contractors, shipyards, and defense customers.
• Abrasive and Media Blasting Equipment Blast pots and sandblasting vessels including portable units (3.5-6.5 cu. ft.), Schmidt 8 Ton Bulk Blast System, 28 Ton Bulk Abrasive Blast System, and multi-media blasters for large-scale industrial coating and surface preparation applications.
• Grit Blasting and Vacuum Blasting Machines Steel grit blasting and vacuum blasting machines including the Schmidt Blast Recovery System, VB 2400 Blast & Recovery System with three outlets, VB 1200 Blast & Recovery System, and the Modular Abrasive Classification System for contained or dust-free vacuum blasting.
• Wet Sandblasting and Slurry Blasting Equipment Dustless wet sandblaster and slurry blaster systems including Amphiblast, Dust Free Greener Blaster, and HoldTight, suppressing up to 92% of airborne dust to enable operations in sensitive environments such as food processing facilities.
• Climate Control Equipment Industrial heating, cooling, and dehumidification equipment including DH/AC series dehumidifiers, DH Industrial Desiccant Dehumidifier, 25 Ton Industrial Air Conditioner, Drynamo 5000 DH (self-powered with built-in 27 kW generator, EPA Tier 4 final), and portable electric heaters.
• Industrial Vacuum Systems Portable industrial vacuum systems including Vacuum System 300, 500, 755, and 828 with automatic or manual discharge to dump trucks, dumpsters, containers, or bags up to 11 feet high, plus Quiet Cubes for noise-sensitive areas and 200 cu. ft. Collection Tanks.
• Portable Blaster Packages Complete portable sandblasting packages including Contractor/High Production Blast Package (pressure hold system), Pro Blast Package (pressure hold system), and Enhanced Blast Package (pressure release system) for field deployment.
• Abrasive Blast Cabinets and Blast Rooms Manual blast cabinets (Pro-Finish Blast Cabinet, SafeStrip Blast Cabinet), automated blast systems (Rotary Head System), and custom-designed blast rooms and booths for containing abrasive blasting operations in industrial finishing applications.
• Abrasive Media Blasting media including Recycled Crushed Glass Abrasive, Steel Grit Abrasive, Garnet Abrasive, Copper Slag Abrasive, JETMAG Abrasive, and 10X Superoxalloy Abrasive sold as consumables for industrial blasting operations.
• Safety Equipment Personal protective equipment for abrasive blasting operators including Air-Fed Blast Hoods (Nova 3, Nova 2000), Abrasive Blast Suit, Leather Blasting Gloves, C40 Climate Control Device, GX4 Gas Monitor, Radex Airline Filter, RPB Breathing Air Hose, and 400 LED Area Light Tower System.
• Used and Refurbished Equipment Refurbished and used sandblasting equipment for sale, including blast pots, dust collectors, industrial vacuums, and rebuilt blasting machines; brokerage services also available for customers seeking to sell existing equipment.
• Equipment Rental Services Short-term and long-term rental of surface preparation equipment with 24-hour service from startup to demobilization, nationwide delivery, and technical support across eight service center locations in the U.S.
• Equipment Maintenance, Customization, and Field Service Value-add services including industrial equipment maintenance, upgrades, customization, engine/blower oil changes, filter replacements, wear part replacements, fabrication services, custom blast pots, on-site rapid response, and preventive maintenance.
• Abrasive Blast Parts and Accessories Replacement parts and accessories including blast hoses, blast nozzles, blasting control boxes, electric deadman switches, Schmidt metering valves and controls (Thompson Valve II, TeraValve XL, MV3), air hoses, ground joint couplings, and desiccant; full inventory maintained at all service locations with 24-hour shipping.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dust suppression up to 92% with Vapor Abrasive Blasting or Dustless Blasting systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments9 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

Two partnerships are on record, tiered regional partner.

• Blast Coat Systemsregional partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlast Coat Systems is a Rapid Prep Partner Company specializing in abrasives, blasting equipment, blast rooms, and supplies for the surface prep and painting industries. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, they expand Rapid Prep's reach in the Southern California region. They offer abrasive blast media including garnet, copper slag, starblast, and more; industrial equipment for sale and rent such as dust collectors, blast pots, and compressed air dryers; and lighting equipment including BRICK, STRIKER, LINKaLIGHT products by Western Technology. Service center operates 24/7 for emergency support.
• Pinnacle Central Companyregional partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPinnacle Central Company is a Rapid Prep Partner Company specializing in Bobcat portable power & air alongside surface prep equipment & abrasives. With locations in Jacksonville, Florida and Polk City, Florida, they expand Rapid Prep's presence in the Florida market. They provide portable power & industrial air including air compressors, generators, and light towers; surface prep equipment such as blast pots, dust collectors, and industrial vacuum systems; abrasive blasting media including aluminum oxide, crushed glass, and steel grit; drying & cooling systems including dehumidifiers, desiccant air dryers, and ventilation fans; and safety equipment including blast hoods, respirators, and gas monitoring equipment. Both locations offer 24/7 emergency on-call service.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BlastOne International: BlastOne is a direct competitor supplying abrasive blasting equipment, dust collectors, and surface preparation consumables for rent and sale across North America, Europe, Australia and beyond. Its product catalog (Schmidt/Amphiblast-style systems, abrasive media, PPE) and rental-led go-to-market directly overlap Rapid Prep's offering.
• Airblast B.V. Airblast is a global manufacturer and supplier of abrasive blasting equipment, blast rooms, and surface preparation systems serving shipyards, oil & gas, and industrial contractors. The product portfolio and end-market focus closely mirror Rapid Prep's dust collectors, blast pots, and vacuum-blasting systems.
• Empire Abrasive Equipment: Empire manufactures and distributes abrasive blast cabinets, blast rooms, and surface preparation equipment used in industrial and military applications. Its specialty in contained blasting systems and military-spec work overlaps Rapid Prep's defense and industrial painting segments.
• National Tank & Equipment: National Tank & Equipment rents industrial vacuum and hydro-excavation equipment alongside surface preparation support. Its industrial cleaning and tank/vessel preparation services overlap Rapid Prep's fuel/water tank, industrial vacuum, and dehumidification rental offerings.

Broad incumbents

• United Rentals: United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world with a broad industrial fleet including aerial work platforms, trench shoring, and power & climate control. It competes with Rapid Prep for industrial customers' total equipment spend, even though surface preparation is not its core specialty.
• Sunbelt Rentals: Sunbelt Rentals is a top-tier national equipment rental company with full-line industrial offerings including climate control, dust collection, and surface prep adjacencies. Its branch density and one-stop procurement model compete with Rapid Prep for industrial contractors seeking consolidated rental relationships.
• Herc Rentals: Herc Rentals operates a national industrial and commercial equipment rental fleet with growing exposure to specialty solutions. While broader than Rapid Prep, it competes for industrial maintenance, infrastructure, and energy customers that also need surface prep and dust control equipment.
• Atlas Copco (Industrial Rental): Atlas Copco provides industrial compressors, dryers, generators, and specialty rental solutions globally, with surface preparation and dust collection adjacencies. Its specialty rental division competes with Rapid Prep on climate control, compressed air drying, and industrial dust management systems.
• Caterpillar (Cat Rentals): Caterpillar's Cat Rental Store network offers a broad lineup of construction, industrial, and power generation equipment through a dense dealer footprint. While not specialized in surface prep, it competes for industrial contractor spend on projects that also require blast pots, dust collectors, and climate control.

Regional players

• Surface Preparation Group (SPG): SPG is a multi-regional surface preparation coatings and equipment services provider serving industrial and commercial markets in select U.S. regions. Its combination of surface prep services, equipment, and consumables partially overlaps Rapid Prep's industrial painting and contractor customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rapid_prep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Rapid Prep