PowerLift Doors
PowerLift Doors designs, manufactures, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic door systems through 40+ independently owned North American centers, serving aviation, agricultural, commercial, and architectural customers since 1992.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersBrookings, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PowerLift Doors does
PowerLift Doors designs, manufactures, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic door systems through a network of over 40 independently owned and operated manufacturing and service centers across North America. Founded in 1992 by Rick Peterson in Lake Benton, Minnesota — following his 1988 welding shop — the company pioneered North America's first production line of hydraulic doors and has built them continuously since, longer than any other industry participant. It serves four primary verticals: aviation (aircraft hangars, T-hangar systems), agricultural (dairy barns, livestock facilities, equipment storage), commercial/industrial (waste transfer stations, warehouses), and architectural/residential (custom homes, event venues, beer gardens). Core product lines are Aircraft Hangar Doors, Architectural Doors, Agricultural Doors, Commercial Doors, and Concealed Cylinder Doors.
The core technology is a single-panel hydraulic door that opens outward and upward as one solid unit, built with all-welded steel construction that eliminates bolts, screws, tracks, and cables. Differentiators include the all-welded single-piece frame, an exclusive outside-mount design that preserves full clear opening, concealed-cylinder options that hide all hydraulic hardware in the closed position, and customizable cladding (glass, masonry, wood, stucco). Each installation is custom-engineered to the opening, with notable installations including a 115' x 27' hangar door at St. Cloud Airport, MN; six doors at Raptor Transfer's Missouri waste facility; and an integrated 14-door T-hangar system at Bartow Executive Airport, FL. The company estimates roughly 15,000 to 20,000 cumulative installations across the network since 1992.
Revenue is generated through custom one-time project sales with quote-based pricing on multi-year contracts — there is no public pricing or DIY channel. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through the licensee network, supported by a website with quote-request functionality, technical resources for engineers and architects (BIM files, specifications, technical data sheets, building prep manuals), major aviation trade shows (EAA AirVenture, Sun 'n Fun), and active social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, X). PowerLift remains founder-owned and operated by Rick and Patti Peterson; no institutional, private-equity, or parent-company ownership has been disclosed.
PowerLift Doors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PowerLift Doors
- Legal name
- PowerLift Doors
- Website
- https://powerliftdoors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PowerLift Doors designs, manufactures, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic door systems through 40+ independently owned North American centers, serving aviation, agricultural, commercial, and architectural customers since 1992.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PowerLift Doors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydraulic Door Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321)
- SIC
- Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial & Industrial Doors (Sectional, High-Speed, Fire, Security) (IMADAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Garage Doors & Rolling Shutters (IMADAIAE), Exterior Doors (IMADAIAA)
Keywords
Where PowerLift Doors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brookings
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
PowerLift Doors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Hydraulic Door Sales: PowerLift designs, builds, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic doors and walls. Revenue is generated through direct sales of custom-engineered door systems, with each installation tailored to customer specifications. The company provides single-source accountability from design through installation and ongoing support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom hydraulic doors - pricing based on specifications |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
PowerLift Doors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PowerLift Doors designs, manufactures, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic door systems for aviation hangars, agricultural facilities, commercial/industrial buildings, and architectural applications. Each door is a single-piece, all-welded steel assembly that opens outward and upward as one hydraulic panel, with options for concealed cylinders, outside mounting, and custom cladding in glass, masonry, wood, or stucco. The company distributes through 40+ independently owned manufacturing and service centers across North America that provide end-to-end design, build, installation, and support.
Product overview
PowerLift Doors offers a unified portfolio of hydraulic door systems, including five core product lines: Aircraft Hangar Doors, Architectural Doors, Agricultural Doors, Commercial Doors, and Concealed Cylinder Doors. All products share the company's signature single-panel hydraulic operation technology that lifts outward and upward as one solid unit, eliminating tracks, cables, and overhead obstructions. The doors are custom-engineered, all-welded steel construction with no bolts or screws that can loosen. PowerLift operates through a network of over 40 independently owned manufacturing and service locations across North America that design, build, deliver, and install each door.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aircraft Hangar Doors Custom-engineered single-panel hydraulic doors for aircraft hangars that provide full clear-span openings without overhead tracks, cables, or obstructions. Built with all-welded steel construction for aviation environments, serving private aircraft owners, corporate aviation facilities, FBO operators, and airport authorities.
- Architectural Doors Custom hydraulic doors for architectural applications, available with glass, masonry, wood, stucco, or other cladding options and custom window placement, walk doors, and design layouts. Serves architects, custom home builders, event venues, and hospitality developers.
- Agricultural Doors Robust hydraulic doors providing reliable, year-round access for dairy barns, livestock facilities, machinery storage, equipment shops, and multi-purpose farm structures. Built with all-welded construction, large clear-span openings, and weather-resistant designs for harsh agricultural environments.
- Commercial Doors Industrial hydraulic doors for businesses seeking large-scale, durable solutions for commercial buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, waste transfer stations, and commercial shops. Designed for continuous use, smooth vehicle and equipment movement, and minimal maintenance.
- Concealed Cylinder Doors ADA-compliant hydraulic door variant with fully concealed cylinders providing a clean aesthetic appearance when closed, with no visible hardware. Targets applications where visual minimalism is required alongside hydraulic operation, including architectural and high-end installations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero maintenance design with all-welded construction eliminating bolts, screws, and fasteners that fatigue over time
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PowerLift Doors
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PowerLift Doors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
PowerLift Doors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- Rice CompaniessupportingRice Companies served as the project contractor for the 115' x 27' PowerLift door installation at St. Cloud Airport in Minnesota, demonstrating collaboration on large-scale aviation projects.
- Morell TruckingsupportingMorell Trucking served as the transportation partner for the massive 115' x 27' PowerLift door installation at St. Cloud Airport, handling logistics of the large-scale door delivery.
- ProAmcoreProAm's Hydraulic T-Hangar System integrates with PowerLift hydraulic doors. 14 PowerLift doors (42' x 12' each) were installed at Bartow Executive Airport in Florida using this integrated system, demonstrating a strategic product partnership for aviation applications.
- Weirich Welding PlussupportingWeirich Welding Plus has completed multiple PowerLift door installations including projects in Grandview, Missouri (Raptor Transfer), Henderson, Nebraska, Pacific Junction, Iowa (Castle Unicorn Wedding Venue), and McLemoresville, Tennessee. Serves as an authorized installation partner.
- Architectural SpecialtiessupportingArchitectural Specialties is featured in PowerLift's video gallery for a Meadowlark Brewing installation, suggesting a regional partnership for architectural door projects in Minnesota.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PowerLift Doors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Janus International: Janus International manufactures commercial sectional and roll-up doors primarily for self-storage and commercial facilities in North America. It overlaps with PowerLift on commercial door systems, especially in warehousing and storage segments.
Direct peers
- Hydroswing: Hydroswing produces hydraulic and bi-fold doors for aviation hangars, agricultural, and commercial buildings, overlapping with PowerLift on hydraulic single-panel door technology. They compete in similar end markets with a comparable custom-engineering sales motion.
- Schweiss Doors: Schweiss Doors is one of the closest direct competitors to PowerLift, manufacturing hydraulic and strap-lift doors for aircraft hangars, agricultural buildings, and architectural projects. Both companies compete for the same large-opening, custom-engineered door installations across North America.
- Champion Door: Champion Door manufactures large hydraulic opening doors for hangars, industrial buildings, and architectural applications. Its product philosophy of single-panel hydraulic operation closely mirrors PowerLift's design, making it a meaningful direct competitor, particularly in international markets.
Broad incumbents
- Rytec Corporation: Rytec specializes in high-speed industrial doors for warehouses, manufacturing, and logistics facilities. While it focuses on high-cycle applications, it competes with PowerLift in commercial/industrial openings where speed and reliability drive specification.
- Overhead Door Corporation: Overhead Door is a large incumbent offering commercial, industrial, and residential door systems including sectional and specialty hangar doors. As a broad incumbent with extensive distribution, it competes with PowerLift on commercial and aviation projects where standardized solutions are acceptable.
- Wayne Dalton: Wayne Dalton manufactures commercial and industrial doors including sectional, rolling, and high-speed doors for warehouses, commercial facilities, and aviation applications. It is a broader portfolio incumbent that overlaps with PowerLift's commercial and industrial lines.
- ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems provides automated industrial and commercial doors, including high-performance openings for warehouses, logistics, and large facilities. It competes with PowerLift where automated commercial/industrial openings are specified.
- Clopay: Clopay is a leading North American manufacturer of garage and commercial doors serving residential and commercial customers. Its residential garage door range overlaps with PowerLift's architectural and high-end residential offerings.
- Hörmann: Hörmann is a global manufacturer of doors, operators, and access solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It is a broad incumbent with the scale and R&D budgets that could pressure PowerLift's niche, particularly in commercial and industrial segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PowerLift Doors social profiles
Digital presencePowerLift Doors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PowerLift Doors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PowerLift Doors subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
PowerLift Doors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PowerLift Doors 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 PowerLift Doors
What does PowerLift Doors do?
PowerLift Doors designs, manufactures, delivers, and installs custom hydraulic door systems for aviation hangars, agricultural facilities, commercial/industrial buildings, and architectural applications. Each door is a single-piece, all-welded steel assembly that opens outward and upward as one hydraulic panel, with options for concealed cylinders, outside mounting, and custom cladding in glass, masonry, wood, or stucco. The company distributes through 40+ independently owned manufacturing and service centers across North America that provide end-to-end design, build, installation, and support.
Is PowerLift Doors a public or private company?
PowerLift Doors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PowerLift Doors founded?
PowerLift Doors was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PowerLift Doors based?
PowerLift Doors is headquartered in Brookings, United States, in the North America region.
How does PowerLift Doors make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Hydraulic Door Sales.
Who are PowerLift Doors's main competitors?
Janus International is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Hydroswing, Schweiss Doors and Champion Door. Broad incumbents are Rytec Corporation, Overhead Door Corporation, Wayne Dalton, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, Clopay and Hörmann.
Does PowerLift Doors have an API?
No public API is recorded for PowerLift Doors.
What industry is PowerLift Doors in?
PowerLift Doors's product category is Hydraulic Door Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAF, Commercial & Industrial Doors (Sectional, High-Speed, Fire, Security), with a secondary code of IMADAIAE, Garage Doors & Rolling Shutters. Its NAICS code is 332321 and its SIC code is 3442.