SKEANS
SKEANS is a family-owned Western Canadian distributor and service provider of pneumatic, electric-automation, and rotating equipment, serving industrial manufacturers and resource industries through seven branches, field sales, and 24/7 repair and maintenance services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersPort Coquitlam, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SKEANS does
SKEANS Pneumatic & Automation Inc. is a family-owned industrial distributor and service provider headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, incorporated on April 28, 1968 and now operating under third-generation leadership. The company sells, integrates, and services pneumatic, electric-automation, and rotating equipment across Western Canada, covering British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba through a network of seven branch locations and roughly 13 factory-trained, largely red-seal-certified service technicians. Its primary customer base is industrial manufacturers and resource industries (mining, oil & gas, forestry, agriculture, aquaculture), with additional vertical exposure to transportation, packaging, printing, food & beverage, intralogistics, and life sciences.
The product portfolio spans three interconnected lines: Rotating Equipment Solutions (air compressors, blowers, vacuum pumps, dryers, nitrogen generators, tanks, and piping from partners such as Gardner Denver and Mattei); Pneumatic Automation Solutions (MAC Valves as the exclusive Western Canadian distributor for 55 years, Apollo Valves, cylinders and actuators, and Piab/Norgren/TAWI vacuum products); and Electric Automation Solutions (Universal Robots collaborative robots as the regional distributor, robotic tooling kits, electric actuators, PLCs/HMIs, and sensors). Beyond resale, SKEANS operates a full-service machine shop and a Value-Added & Repair department that designs custom panels, manifolds, and enclosures and manufactures obsolete parts, and it jointly developed the proprietary SKEANS/NOPAK SG Series air cylinder with resource-industry input in the 1970s.
Revenue is generated through hardware/product sales from manufacturer partners, professional services (24/7 troubleshooting, on-site repair, off-site rebuilds, preventative maintenance, contract service, and energy audits), extended warranty packages (up to 10 years on Gardner Denver and Mattei compressors), and training services including a Universal Robot Certified Training Academy. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and channel-based: field sales teams and technical specialists engage customers directly via site visits and quote/service request forms, supported by exclusive and authorized distribution/service relationships with multiple equipment brands. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all sales are quote-based, and contracts include multi-year service arrangements.
SKEANS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SKEANS
- Legal name
- SKEANS Pneumatic and Automation Inc.
- Website
- https://skeans.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- SKEANS is a family-owned Western Canadian distributor and service provider of pneumatic, electric-automation, and rotating equipment, serving industrial manufacturers and resource industries through seven branches, field sales, and 24/7 repair and maintenance services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SKEANS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pneumatic and Automation Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Actuators & Motion Devices (Linear, Rotary, Electric Actuators for Motion Control) (IMAHAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG), Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems Service (Liftgates, Air Systems) (TLAKABAJ), Rotating Equipment Maintenance (Turbines, Generators, Motors, Pumps, Compressors) (EUAEAGAI)
Keywords
Where SKEANS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Coquitlam
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
SKEANS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Sale of pneumatic and electric automation equipment, rotating equipment (compressors, blowers, dryers, vacuum pumps), valves, cylinders, actuators, robotic systems, and related components from manufacturer partners (MAC Valves, Universal Robots, Gardner Denver, Bimba, PHD, Tolomatic, etc.).
- Service and Repair: 24/7 troubleshooting, on-site repair, off-site rebuilds, preventative maintenance programs, contract service, valve repairs, actuator and cylinder repairs. Value-added repair department handles most brands carried and many competitor products.
- Extended Warranties: Extended warranty packages including 10-year warranty on Gardner Denver rotary screw compressors and dryers, 10-year warranty on Mattei rotary vane compressors. 90-day warranty on airend rebuilds, full 1-year warranty on commissioned airend rebuilds.
- Training Services: Customized training packages provided by service technicians at customer facility or SKEANS locations. Universal Robot Training Center certification courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No public pricing - all sales via quote request |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SKEANS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SKEANS sells and supports pneumatic and electric automation equipment and rotating equipment across Western Canada, including compressors, blowers, vacuum pumps, valves, cylinders, actuators, robotic systems, and related components from partner manufacturers. Its commercial model combines product distribution with field technical support, service contracts, direct site visits, and Request for Quote/Request for Service workflows.
Product overview
SKEANS is a distributor and integrator of pneumatic and automation solutions operating across Western Canada for nearly 60 years. The company offers three interconnected product portfolios: Rotating Equipment Solutions (air compressors, blowers, vacuum pumps, dryers, nitrogen generators, tanks, and piping systems from Gardner Denver, Mattei, and others); Pneumatic Automation Solutions (MAC Valves as exclusive Western Canadian distributor for 55 years, Apollo Valves, cylinders, actuators, filters, regulators, vacuum products from Piab/Norgren/TAWI, and safety guarding); and Electric Automation Solutions (Universal Robots collaborative robots as Western Canada's exclusive distributor, robotic tooling/application kits, electric actuators, PLCs/HMIs, and sensors). The company also provides comprehensive services including 24/7 troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, off-site rebuilds, energy audits, contract service programs, and UR Certified Training Academy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rotating Equipment & Compressors
- MAC Valves
- Apollo Valves
- Cylinders & Actuators
- Universal Robots Collaborative Robots
- Electric Actuators
- Robotic Tooling & Application Kits
- Electrical Components
- Vacuum Generators & Lifts
- Custom Pneumatic Panels, Manifolds and Enclosures
- Pneumatic & Electric Repair and Service
- Contract Service
- Energy Audits
- Extended Warranty
- UR Certified Training Academy
Quantifiable outcome
- PHD cylinders lasting 3-4 years vs FESTO failing in 3-4 months in Krones Blow Molding applications
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SKEANS
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SKEANS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SKEANS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Universal RobotscoreWestern Canada distributor for Universal Robots collaborative robots. Cobots are tariff free under Canada-EU CETA agreement. SKEANS provides sales, integration support, and UR Certified Training Academy at Coquitlam location.
- MAC ValvescoreExclusive Western Canadian distributor for MAC Valves for 55 years. Partnership includes full product line: Pulse Valves, Hazardous Locations Valves, Solenoid Valves, Process/Liquid Valves, Ball Valves, Check Valves, Safety Products. D-Coil compatible valve series.
- Gardner DenvercoreDistributor and service partner for Gardner Denver rotary screw compressors, dryers, and related rotating equipment. SKEANS offers 10-year extended warranty on Gardner Denver products.
- Hoffman LamsoncoreAppointed Hoffman Lamson ASC (Authorized Service Center). SKEANS authorized to service and rebuild Hoffman Lamson blower equipment.
- PiabminorDistributor of Piab vacuum products including COAX-based vacuum pumps/generators, suction cups, and palletizing solutions. Products integrated with UR cobots for material handling applications.
- TAWI (Piab)minorDistributor of TAWI vacuum lifting systems for large-scale ergonomic material handling. Innovative solutions for lifting heavy, bulky, awkward shaped items in industrial applications.
- EwellixminorDistributor of Ewellix electromechanical actuators, linear guides, ball/roller screws. Products include Aerodynamic Booster Actuator for transportation applications.
- Leuze ElectronicminorDistributor of Leuze sensor solutions including DRT, BCL, KRT/CRT, ODS sensors for packaging, printing, and industrial automation applications.
- BimbaminorDistributor of Bimba pneumatic cylinders, grippers, rodless actuators, guided thrusters, and Mead air switch valves. Includes SKEANS/NOPAK SG Series cylinder collaboration.
- PHD Inc.minorDistributor of PHD pneumatic actuators, grippers, clamps, linear slides. Products used in packaging, printing, and industrial automation applications.
- TolomaticminorDistributor of Tolomatic electric and pneumatic actuators, roller screws, disc brakes, right angle gearboxes. MXB actuator for electric automation applications.
- Apollo ValvesminorDistributor of Apollo Valves including ball valves, safety relief valves, check valves. Part of SKEANS brand for over 40 years.
- Frame-WorldminorDistributor of Frame-World structural aluminum extrusions and components for machine bases, frames, stands, guard assemblies, safety guarding, and robot safety fencing.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves1 record
SKEANS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Motion Industries: Subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company providing fluid power, bearings, power transmission, and industrial product distribution across North America. Comparable in pneumatic/MRO distribution, technical service model, and heavy reliance on a wide OEM brand portfolio.
- Wajax Corporation: Canadian industrial product and service distributor with a Western Canadian footprint and equipment support services including rotating equipment. Directly comparable on geography, customer segments (industrial, resource industries), and mix of distribution and aftermarket services.
- Kaman Industrial Technologies: Industrial distribution business focused on bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and automation products across North America. Direct competitive overlap with SKEANS in pneumatic automation, fluid power components, and value-added services.
- Applied Industrial Technologies: Large U.S.-headquartered fluid power and industrial distribution specialist with deep service centres and technical expertise in pneumatic, hydraulic, and motion control products. Closest publicly traded comparable to SKEANS given overlap in fluid power distribution, technical service, and OEM partnerships.
Emerging players
- Dixon Valve & Coupling: Manufacturer and supplier of valves, fittings, and fluid handling products distributed through industrial channels. Partial overlap with SKEANS's valve and fittings lines (Apollo Valves, MAC Valves) and resource-industry customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Parker Hannifin: Global motion and control technologies manufacturer serving industrial, mobile, and aerospace markets. Comparable to SKEANS in pneumatic valves, cylinders, actuators, and rotating equipment—some of which SKEANS distributes through channels like Tolomatic and Bimba.
- Atlas Copco: Global manufacturer of compressors, vacuum pumps, and industrial tools with service operations. Directly comparable to SKEANS's rotating equipment business (compressors, blowers, vacuum pumps) and aftermarket service offering.
- SMC Corporation: World's largest manufacturer of pneumatic components for automation. Indirectly comparable as one of the dominant suppliers whose products SKEANS serves and competes with through alternative distributed brands.
- Grainger Industrial: Large-scale MRO and industrial distributor with significant Canadian footprint. Overlaps with SKEANS in pneumatic supplies, valves, and industrial customer base, though broader in product mix and focused on direct/online channels.
- Festo: Global pneumatics and automation manufacturer that sells both direct and via distribution. Comparable in pneumatic cylinders, valves, and automation solutions that SKEANS competes against via PHD, Bimba, and other distributed brands.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SKEANS social profiles
Digital presenceSKEANS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SKEANS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
SKEANS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SKEANS 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 SKEANS
What does SKEANS do?
SKEANS sells and supports pneumatic and electric automation equipment and rotating equipment across Western Canada, including compressors, blowers, vacuum pumps, valves, cylinders, actuators, robotic systems, and related components from partner manufacturers. Its commercial model combines product distribution with field technical support, service contracts, direct site visits, and Request for Quote/Request for Service workflows.
Is SKEANS a public or private company?
SKEANS is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was SKEANS founded?
SKEANS was founded in 1968. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is SKEANS based?
SKEANS is headquartered in Port Coquitlam, Canada, in the North America region.
How does SKEANS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are service and Repair, extended Warranties and training Services.
Who are SKEANS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Motion Industries, Wajax Corporation, Kaman Industrial Technologies and Applied Industrial Technologies. Dixon Valve & Coupling is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Parker Hannifin, Atlas Copco, SMC Corporation, Grainger Industrial and Festo.
Does SKEANS have an API?
No public API is recorded for SKEANS.
What industry is SKEANS in?
SKEANS's product category is Pneumatic and Automation Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAGAG, Actuators & Motion Devices (Linear, Rotary, Electric Actuators for Motion Control), with a secondary code of IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets). Its NAICS code is 42385 and its SIC code is 5084.