Slot Drain
Slot Drain Systems manufactures pre-sloped, prefabricated stainless steel and galvanized slot drain systems for food processing, automotive, elevator, brewery, and industrial facilities across North America, selling custom-built systems through direct sales and in-stock kits via e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersWinnipeg, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Slot Drain does
Slot Drain Systems is a Winnipeg, Canada-based manufacturer of linear slot drain systems, founded in 1986 by Glen Kehler, who invented and patented the first pre-sloped, prefabricated slot drain in 1988 as an alternative to expensive four-sloped floor installations and grates that trap bacteria. The company is privately held, was acquired by its contract manufacturer Specialloy Industries in 2013, and operates a small organization of 11-50 employees from a Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg and a US office in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Its core technology is a grate-free, pre-sloped linear channel fabricated from T304 and T316 stainless steel (and galvanized steel for select series), with smooth radius interiors, ASME A112.6.3/CSA B79.3 load class ratings up to Special Duty, ADA-compliant slot widths, and NSF/ANSI/3-A 14159-1 certification for food-safe applications. The product portfolio spans seven core drain series (2000 elevator threshold/lobby, 4000 wall-adjacent, 6000 shallow depth, 6000 PLUS FoodSafe, 7000 landscape, 8000 heavy duty, 10,000 most sanitary) plus an accessory line (catch basins, strainer baskets, Clean-In-Place stoppers, Flush Flo water line connections, cleaning paddles and brushes, Slot Hog hose attachments, pan lids).
Slot Drain sells to enterprise customers in food and beverage processing, automotive facilities, elevators, parking structures, breweries, wineries, industrial/manufacturing, agriculture, landscape/urban design, and residential segments through a quote-based direct sales motion that includes engineering consultation and shop drawings; in-stock kits are distributed via the GlobalDrainTech.com e-commerce storefront owned by sister brand Global Drain Technologies, and a certified installer network handles field installation. Revenue is generated entirely through one-time product sales and professional services — no subscription, licensing, or recurring revenue model is present — with all pricing opaque and custom. The company cites 700+ completed projects across North America, shipping worldwide, with a 30+ year claimed product lifespan and IAPMO-tested flow rates up to 100 GPM for elevator applications.
Slot Drain firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Slot Drain
- Legal name
- Slot Drain Systems LTD
- Website
- https://slotdrainsystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Slot Drain Systems manufactures pre-sloped, prefabricated stainless steel and galvanized slot drain systems for food processing, automotive, elevator, brewery, and industrial facilities across North America, selling custom-built systems through direct sales and in-stock kits via e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Slot Drain is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winnipeg
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Slot Drain business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Drain Systems: Built-to-order custom Slot Drain systems produced at North American facility with personalized shop drawings. Lead times vary by product line and volume. Shipped directly to job sites.
- In-Stock Kits: Pre-configured Slot Drain kits available through GlobalDrainTech.com e-commerce. Ships next business day. Ideal for light commercial, residential, or outdoor projects.
- Accessories: Cleaning paddles, brushes, Flush Flo systems, Clean-In-Place systems, catch basins, strainer baskets, Slot Hog hose attachments, and other accessories.
- Professional Services: Engineering consultation, suggested layouts, specification guidelines for tender purposes, and on-site installation support for larger projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Slot Drain Systems |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Slot Drain product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Slot Drain Systems manufactures pre-sloped, prefabricated linear slot drain systems made from T304 and T316 stainless steel or galvanized steel. The grate-free design eliminates traditional grates that trap bacteria and are difficult to clean, with NSF/ANSI/3-A certified food-safe options, ADA-compliant slot widths, and ASME load class ratings from Light Duty to Special Duty. The product portfolio spans seven main drain series (2000 through 10,000) plus accessories for applications in food processing, automotive, elevator, industrial, and residential settings.
Product overview
Slot Drain Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of linear slot drain products designed for industrial, commercial, and residential drainage applications. The product lineup centers on seven main drain series (2000, 4000, 6000, 6000 PLUS, 7000, 8000, and 10,000 Series), each engineered for specific applications ranging from elevator drainage and food processing to landscaping and heavy-duty automotive facilities. The 2000 Series provides specialized elevator threshold and lobby drains with ADA compliance and 100 GPM flow rates. The 6000 and 6000 PLUS Series address shallow depth requirements with the PLUS model featuring NSF/ANSI/3-A food safety certification and Clean-In-Place capability. The 7000 Series targets aesthetic landscaping applications while the 8000 and 10,000 Series serve heavy industrial needs with maximum load ratings. The accessory portfolio includes Catch Basins, Strainer Baskets, Cleaning Paddles, Cleaning Brushes, Flush Flo Systems, Clean In Place Systems, Pan Lids, and Slot Hog hose attachments—all designed to work with specific drain series to provide complete drainage solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 2000 T-Series Elevator Threshold Drain Elevator threshold drain designed to meet specific building codes including NYC Building Code 3007.3, achieving 100 GPM flow rate while maintaining ADA compliance and a sleek, nearly invisible look.
- 2000 L-Series Elevator Lobby Drain Dual-slot elevator lobby drain designed for high-traffic areas with frequent wash-down requirements and equipment/forklift traffic.
- 4000 Series Slot Drain Slot drain designed for tight spaces and installations against walls, featuring corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction.
- 6000 Series Slot Drain Cost-effective surface drainage system available in stainless T304, T316, or galvanized steel, suitable for pedestrian or light traffic areas such as swimming pools, garages, and distribution centers. Features slot openings of 1/2", 1", or 1 1/4" with ADA compliance.
- 6000 PLUS Series FoodSafe Slot Drain NSF/ANSI/3-A certified hygienic drain with smooth interior and fully radius edges designed for food processing facilities with shallow concrete pad requirements. Features flow rates of 11-27 GPM and Clean-In-Place (CIP) capability.
- 7000 Series Slot Drain Landscaping-focused slot drain with sleek linear design matching paving materials. Designed for patios, gardens, sidewalks, and plazas with 1 1/4" slot opening and ADA compliance.
- 8000 Series Slot Drain Heavy-duty drain constructed with mechanically locking joints and bolt-together flanges. Available in galvanized steel or stainless steel, designed for carwashes, firehalls, equipment shops, agricultural facilities, and warehouses. Features DIN EN 1433 Load Class E and ASME Special Duty ratings.
- 10,000 Series Slot Drain Most sanitary and durable drain in the lineup, designed for high-traffic facilities with stringent sanitary requirements. Features CIP and Flush-Flo capabilities with high flow rates.
- Catch Basin Load-bearing catch basin for retrieving lost items and accessing underground plumbing. Made of dense stainless steel with 1/2" thick hygienically designed lid. Available in 6"x12" and 12"x12" surface dimensions with 12" or 20" depth options. Load Class E rated (Forklift Rated).
- Catch Basin Strainer Basket Food-grade stainless steel basket with 1/2" perforated holes that trap stones, keys, rings and other items. Compatible with 6"x6"x12", 6"x12"x12", and 12"x12"x20" catch basins.
- Clean In Place System Custom-fit stainless steel, rubber and polymer stopper system that creates watertight seal for soaking and sanitizing drains. Includes optional overflow protection with stainless steel bypass line. Compatible with all Slot Drain Systems Catch Basins.
- Flush Flo System Water line connection system enabling fast and easy drain cleaning via 1" NPT threaded connection. Can be operated manually or on a timer. Compatible with 6000, 8000, and 10000 Series Slot Drains.
Quantifiable outcome
- Flow rates up to 33 GPM per 100 inches of drain
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Slot Drain
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Slot Drain technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Slot Drain partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Global Drain TechnologiescoreParent company/brand family including Slot Drain Systems, FoodSafe Drains, and Landscape Drains. In-stock kits sold through GlobalDrainTech.com e-commerce platform. Technical resource library and CAD/REVIT files available through info.globaldraintech.com.
- Specialloy IndustriescoreContract manufacturer for Slot Drain that acquired the company in 2013 near Glen Kehler's 80th birthday, honoring his hard work. Intent on bringing Glen's original drain design to greater heights and creating new slotted products for new drainage market segments.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Slot Drain competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NDS (NDS Inc.): One of the largest U.S. manufacturers of drainage and stormwater management products, including channel/linear trench drains used in residential and commercial applications. Direct competitor in the linear trench drain category Slot Drain serves, with overlapping distribution into landscaping and light commercial segments.
- ACO Drain (ACO Systems): Global leader in linear trench drainage systems with a heavy commercial and infrastructure footprint. Competes head-to-head with Slot Drain in food processing, parking structures, and industrial applications, often being specified alongside Slot Drain on large projects.
- MIFAB: Manufacturer of commercial plumbing and drainage products including trench drains, floor drains and grease interceptors. Overlaps with Slot Drain in food-service, hospitality and light-industrial specifications, often competing on the same project bid lists.
- StainlessDrains.com (Drains Unlimited): Specialty manufacturer of stainless steel drainage products for food, beverage and pharmaceutical facilities. Directly comparable to Slot Drain's FoodSafe line in materials, certifications (NSF) and target customers.
- Jay R. Smith Mfg Co: Established U.S. manufacturer of commercial drainage products including floor drains, trench drains and drainage specialties. Comparable in serving engineering-spec-driven commercial construction, and competing for similar elevator, food processing and institutional specifications.
- Trench Drain Supply: Niche distributor and supplier of trench drain systems from multiple manufacturers, serving the same contractor-and-specifier audience as Slot Drain. A direct competitor for project specification in commercial, residential and landscape drainage.
- Josam Company: Specialty manufacturer of cast iron and stainless drainage products including floor and trench drains. Competes with Slot Drain in heavy commercial and industrial specifications, particularly for food processing and institutional facilities.
Broad incumbents
- Watts Water Technologies: Public, diversified plumbing and water-management company with a portfolio that includes drainage products. A broader incumbent that competes indirectly via spec channels and distributor relationships, even though slot drains are not its core focus.
- Zurn Industries (Zurn Elkay): Large manufacturer of commercial plumbing and drainage products, including trench drains and stainless steel drainage assemblies. Comparable broad-line competitor serving many of the same end markets (food service, healthcare, education, industrial) through engineer-and-spec channels.
Emerging players
- Iron Age Designs: Designer and manufacturer of decorative cast iron and bronze grates and slot drain systems targeting landscape and architectural applications. Overlaps with Slot Drain's 7000 Series landscape line and competes for high-end aesthetic specifications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Slot Drain social profiles
Digital presenceSlot Drain financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Slot Drain leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Slot Drain funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Slot Drain 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 Slot Drain
What does Slot Drain do?
Slot Drain Systems manufactures pre-sloped, prefabricated linear slot drain systems made from T304 and T316 stainless steel or galvanized steel. The grate-free design eliminates traditional grates that trap bacteria and are difficult to clean, with NSF/ANSI/3-A certified food-safe options, ADA-compliant slot widths, and ASME load class ratings from Light Duty to Special Duty. The product portfolio spans seven main drain series (2000 through 10,000) plus accessories for applications in food processing, automotive, elevator, industrial, and residential settings.
Is Slot Drain a public or private company?
Slot Drain is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Slot Drain founded?
Slot Drain was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Slot Drain based?
Slot Drain is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Slot Drain make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Drain Systems are the primary driver. The others are in-Stock Kits, accessories and professional Services.
Who are Slot Drain's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NDS (NDS Inc.), ACO Drain (ACO Systems), MIFAB, StainlessDrains.com (Drains Unlimited), Jay R. Smith Mfg Co, Trench Drain Supply and Josam Company. Broad incumbents are Watts Water Technologies and Zurn Industries (Zurn Elkay). Iron Age Designs is listed as an emerging player.
Does Slot Drain have an API?
No public API is recorded for Slot Drain.