What Sullivan-Palatek does

Sullivan-Palatek is a privately held US manufacturer of oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana, with 51-100 employees. The company's product portfolio spans industrial electric compressors from 5 to 450 HP across multiple series (SP11, SP13, SP16, SP20+, SP25, SP32, Legacy, and M Series) and portable diesel compressors from 110 to 1,600 CFM, complemented by reciprocating compressors, electric construction compressors, offshore/utility-mount variants, air treatment products, and OEM air ends and gas ends sold to other equipment manufacturers. Core technology centers on proprietary rotary screw air ends manufactured in-house using Holroyd precision rotor profile grinding, with supporting IP including the MetaCenter Air Management System, VFD energy-saving control (10-20% energy reduction), and electronic controllers (SPEC, Q1) with web-based remote monitoring and sequencing of up to 12 compressors.

The company operates a distributor-led go-to-market model in the US and Canada, supported by regional Sales Directors organized by territory, with an additional Asia licensee (Sullivan-Palatek Asia) covering Asian markets. Revenue is generated through four streams: hardware sales of compressors and OEM air ends, parts and technical support services, and customer financing for equipment purchases. End markets are diversified across nine verticals, with Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Automotive, and Construction as primary segments, and Food & Beverage, Breweries, Emergency Services, Sandblasting/Coating, and Amusement Parks as secondary segments. The company markets itself as 'Dependable by Design' and Made in America, and sells through quote-based distributor pricing with a three-year unlimited-hour warranty on air ends as a key differentiator.

Name

Sullivan-Palatek

Legal name

Sullivan-Palatek, Inc.

Website

https://sullivan-palatek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sullivan-Palatek is a privately held Indiana-based manufacturer of oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors serving industrial and portable applications. It sells 5-450 HP electric and 110-1,600 CFM diesel units through a US/Canada distributor network and an Asia licensee across manufacturing, oil & gas, construction, and automotive end markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Air Compressors

NAICS

Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Air & Gas Compressors (General Purpose) (IMAHANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Process Gas & High-Pressure Compressors (IMAHANAF)

Keywords

• Rotary screw compressors
• Industrial air compressors
• Portable diesel compressors
• Compressed air systems
• Oil-flooded compressors

Headquarters

HQ city

Michigan City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Air Compressor Sales: Sale of industrial electric and portable diesel air compressors across multiple horsepower ranges (5-450 HP). Products include rotary screw compressors, reciprocating compressors, and ancillary equipment.
2. OEM Air Ends / Gas Ends: Sale of original equipment manufacturer air ends and gas ends to other equipment manufacturers
3. Parts and Service: Replacement parts, technical support, and warranty services for installed base
4. Financing Services: Financing options offered to customers for equipment purchases

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sullivan-Palatek manufactures oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors for industrial and portable applications at its Michigan City, Indiana facility. The product portfolio spans industrial electric compressors from 5-450 HP and portable diesel compressors from 110-1600 CFM, complemented by air dryers, filters, oil-water separators, OEM air ends, and the MetaCenter Air Management System. The company also sells reciprocating compressors, electric construction compressors, and provides parts, technical support, and financing services primarily through a distributor network.

Product overview

Sullivan-Palatek is a manufacturer of high-performance oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors designed for industrial and portable applications. The product portfolio consists of two main categories: Industrial Electric Air Compressors (ranging from 5-450 HP across SP11, SP13, SP16, SP20+, SP25, SP32, Legacy, and M Series) and Portable Diesel Air Compressors (ranging from 110-1600 CFM). These core products are supported by complementary offerings including air dryers, coalescing and particulate filters, oil-water separators, MetaCenter Air Management System for energy optimization, VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) packages for energy efficiency, and OEM Air Ends for replacement parts. The company also offers reciprocating compressors and electric construction compressors. Sullivan-Palatek sells primarily through distributors and serves industries including manufacturing, oil & gas, construction, automotive, food & beverage, emergency services, and amusement parks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Electric Air Compressors Oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors designed for industrial applications, available in multiple series (SP11, SP13, SP16, SP20+, SP25, SP32, Legacy, M Series) ranging from 5-450 HP with various pressure and capacity specifications.
• Legacy Series 15-40 HP Industrial Electric Air Compressors Industrial electric air compressors from 15-40 HP featuring proven rotary screw technology, rugged construction, and reliable performance in demanding environments.
• Portable Diesel Air Compressors Diesel-powered portable rotary screw air compressors for construction, industrial, and emergency applications, featuring Titan Top composite canopy design, Tier 4 Final engines, and various CFM capacities from 110 to 1600.
• D300PD2KR Portable Air Compressor Dual pressure/dual capacity portable compressor delivering 300 cfm @ 100 psi or 230 cfm @ 150 psi, powered by 74 hp Kohler Tier 4 Final engine with 130 mm twin screw air end.
• Electric Construction Air Compressors (ECC Series) Electric-powered compressors designed for construction applications, offering portable electric solutions for job sites.
• Reciprocating Compressors Reciprocating air compressors for various industrial applications, available in 5, 7.5, and 10 HP models.
• Offshore Diesel Air Compressors Heavy-duty diesel-powered portable compressors designed for offshore oil and gas applications, featuring robust construction with galvanneal steel enclosures to resist rust and corrosion in marine environments.
• Utility Mount Diesel Air Compressors Diesel compressors designed for utility-mounted applications, offering flexibility for various industrial and construction needs.
• Dryers, Filters, and Oil-Water Separators Air treatment products including refrigerated and desiccant dryers, coalescing and particulate filters, and oil-water separation systems to protect equipment and ensure clean, dry compressed air.
• OEM Air Ends / Gas Ends Factory-manufactured rotary screw air ends and gas ends for OEM customers, with three-year warranty on air ends.
• MetaCenter Air Management System Turnkey air management system designed to maximize energy efficiency, minimize downtime, and extend equipment life.
• VFD Series (Variable Frequency Drive) Compressors Variable frequency drive compressors that supply exact air volume required, reducing energy consumption by 10% at 70% capacity compared to standard on-off control and 20% less than modulating control, available in 25-450 HP range. Features soft start, low starting current, and UL/CSA compliance.
• Used Equipment Pre-owned air compressor equipment available for purchase.
• Parts and Technical Support Services Replacement parts, technical support, and warranty services for installed base of Sullivan-Palatek air compressors, with dedicated technicians for industrial electric and portable diesel products.
• Financing Services Financing options offered to customers for equipment purchases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operating at 70% capacity, VFD consumes 10% less power than standard compressor with on-off control and 20% less than compressor with modulating control
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Sullivan-Palatek AsiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSullivan-Palatek Asia operates as an official licensee of Sullivan-Palatek, serving Asian markets through sullivanasia.com. This licensee arrangement enables localized presence and distribution in the Asian region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sullair: Sullair is an oil-flooded rotary screw air compressor specialist with overlapping industrial electric and portable diesel product families, founded in Indiana. The two companies compete head-to-head in oil & gas, construction, and rental verticals with similar HP/CFM coverage and warranty positioning.
• Kaeser Compressors: Kaeser is a German-founded rotary screw compressor manufacturer with comparable industrial electric product families and an emphasis on energy efficiency and digital controls (Sigma Control). It overlaps directly with Sullivan-Palatek in manufacturing, automotive, and oil & gas segments in North America.
• Quincy Compressor: Quincy Compressor manufactures reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors across industrial and contractor segments with a long-standing US distribution footprint. It competes with Sullivan-Palatek across small-to-mid HP electric and portable diesel ranges with a similar Made-in-America positioning.
• ELGi Compressors: ELGi is a global oil-flooded screw compressor manufacturer with industrial and portable product lines competing on energy efficiency, warranty, and aftermarket. It targets the same manufacturing, automotive, and oil & gas verticals with comparable HP coverage.
• Doosan Portable Power: Doosan Portable Power specializes in Tier 4 Final diesel-driven portable air compressors serving rental and construction markets, directly competing with Sullivan-Palatek's portable diesel product family across CFM ranges that overlap with the D-series.
• Chicago Pneumatic: Chicago Pneumatic is the Atlas Copco brand focused on industrial and portable compressors for construction, automotive, and rental, overlapping Sullivan-Palatek's primary verticals with comparable screw technology and channel-driven distribution.
• Gardner Denver: Gardner Denver manufactures rotary screw and reciprocating industrial air compressors for manufacturing, oil & gas, and process industries, now part of Ingersoll Rand. Its industrial compressor portfolio overlaps directly with Sullivan-Palatek's 5-450 HP electric lineup.

Broad incumbents

• Atlas Copco: Atlas Copco is the global compressor leader with oil-injected screw, oil-free, and portable divisions serving identical customer verticals (manufacturing, oil & gas, construction). As an incumbent with a much larger installed base and service network, it competes with Sullivan-Palatek on energy efficiency, warranty, and channel reach.
• Ingersoll Rand: Ingersoll Rand is a major industrial air compressor manufacturer with rotary screw and reciprocating product lines across the same HP tiers as Sullivan-Palatek. Now encompassing Gardner Denver, it competes across the full industrial customer base with broader aftermarket and digital service capabilities.

Emerging players

• Bauer Kompressoren: Bauer is a compressor manufacturer specializing in industrial and breathing-air systems with rotary screw technology applicable to oil & gas, marine, and industrial applications. It overlaps with Sullivan-Palatek's offshore portable and gas-end offerings with a similar specification-driven approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sullivanpalatek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Sullivan-Palatek