PowerLift Doors

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.

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

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

• Hydraulic door systems
• Aircraft hangar doors
• Agricultural building doors
• Commercial industrial doors
• Architectural glass doors

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookings

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers11 records

Segments4 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Rice CompaniessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRice 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 TruckingsupportingOthersMorell 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.
• ProAmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAm'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 PlussupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeirich 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 SpecialtiessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural 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

Regional 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

• Xx.com/DoorsPowerlift
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYxhHWFjrE7IZnFOp4idUhw
• Facebookfacebook.com/powerlifthydraulicdoors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/powerlift-hydraulic-doors
• Instagraminstagram.com/powerlifthydraulicdoors/?hl=en
• Pinterestpinterest.com/powerlift_hydraulic_doors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 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 PowerLift Doors