Hovair Systems
Hovair Systems is a Seattle-based manufacturer of pneumatic air bearing, air caster, and heavy-duty transporter equipment serving enterprise industrial buyers in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, power generation, shipyard, spacecraft, and parking applications. It is the original licensee of the General Motors Air Bearing Patent.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersKent, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hovair Systems does
Hovair Systems, Inc. is a Seattle, Washington-based manufacturer of pneumatic heavy-load handling equipment operating as Hovair Systems since the 1970s (originally founded in 1964 as Rolair). The company is the original licensee of the General Motors Air Bearing Patent and builds a catalog of more than 1,000 products centered on air bearing and air caster systems that use compressed air to create a frictionless cushion, enabling single operators to move loads ranging from a few tons to over 300 tons without cranes or forklifts. Core product families include air bearings, air bearing kits, air pallets, aluminum transporters, heavy duty transporters, air lifting bags (Kevlar/steel woven mesh, capacities from several tons to 200+ tons), MatJack-based positioning kits, lift decks, vehicle and industrial turntables, lifting jacks, remote control units, air compressors, and rigging accessories.
The business sells exclusively through direct, consultative channels — the company's own website, a toll-free phone line (1-800-237-4518), and email — with no third-party resellers. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to load weight, dimensions, and product configuration; contracts are described as multi-year in nature. Target customers are enterprise industrial buyers across aerospace and defense (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Goodrich Aerospace), industrial manufacturing (Siemens, Hewlett Packard), power generation, shipyard and maritime, spacecraft, mass transit, and vehicle manufacturing, plus a newer push into residential/commercial parking via vehicle turntables. The go-to-market is supported by educational content marketing on a blog and a modest presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and X.
Hovair Systems is privately held with no disclosed institutional ownership, funding rounds, acquisitions, or executive changes in the source material. The company claims more than 10,000 served customers over its 60+ year operating history. There is no evidence of an AI, software, API, or data product layer — the business is a pure-play industrial hardware manufacturer whose competitive position rests on a long-standing patent license, accumulated engineering expertise, and a blue-chip enterprise installed base.
Hovair Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hovair Systems
- Legal name
- Hovair Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://hovair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Hovair Systems is a Seattle-based manufacturer of pneumatic air bearing, air caster, and heavy-duty transporter equipment serving enterprise industrial buyers in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, power generation, shipyard, spacecraft, and parking applications. It is the original licensee of the General Motors Air Bearing Patent.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hovair Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Material Handling Equipment
- NAICS
- Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)
- SIC
- Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI), Crane & Hoist Components (Wire Rope, Chain, Drums, Sheaves, Motors, Controls) (IMAHAJAK)
Keywords
Where Hovair Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hovair Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Heavy Load Handling Equipment Sales: Direct sales of material handling equipment including air bearings, air casters, air pallets, lift decks, turntables, transporters, and accessories. Products are sold as one-time purchases with no recurring revenue component mentioned.
- Custom Solution Sales: Consultative selling of customized heavy load handling solutions tailored to specific customer requirements. Includes assessment of load weight, dimensions, and application needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Hovair Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hovair Systems manufactures and supplies air bearing systems (air casters), air lifting bags, heavy duty transporters, lift decks, vehicle and industrial turntables, air pallets, aluminum transporters, air compressors, lifting jacks, remote control units, and rigging equipment. Products are powered by compressed air to create a frictionless cushion that lets operators move heavy machinery and equipment weighing from a few tons up to 300 tons. The company serves industrial customers in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, power generation, shipyard, spacecraft, vehicle manufacturing, and mass transit sectors, providing both standard catalog items and custom-engineered heavy load handling solutions.
Product overview
Hovair Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of heavy load handling equipment powered by compressed air technology. The product lineup centers on air bearing systems (also called air casters) that use pressurized air to create a frictionless cushion, allowing even the heaviest loads to float and be moved with minimal effort. Core products include Air Bearings and Air Bearing Kits (custom-made pads that make machinery float), Air Beams (low-profile load handling), Lift Decks (customizable lifting platforms), Air Pallets and Aluminum Transporters (air-cushioned carriers), Heavy Duty Transporters (up to 300-ton capacity), and Hovair Super Kits (including MatJack for positioning air casters under loads up to 50 tons). Supporting products include Air Compressors (powering the air systems), Air Lifting Bags (inflatable lifting devices for loads from several tons to 200+ tons), Lifting Jacks, Remote Control Units, and Rigging Equipment. The company also manufactures Car/Vehicle Turntables and Industrial Turntables (rotating platforms for 360-degree maneuvering of vehicles and heavy equipment). All products feature air-powered technology for cost-effective, safe, and eco-friendly load movement, suitable for industries including aircraft, military & defense, power generation, shipyard, spacecraft, mass transit, vehicle manufacturing, entertainment, and embedded systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Air Beams Low-profile air-powered moving equipment that turns heavy loads mobile and is ideal for uneven weight distribution.
- Lift Decks Customizable lifting units designed for use with customized pallets and load platforms, supporting heavy load movement applications.
- Air Bearings (Air Casters) Custom-made pads using compressed air that make heavy machinery and equipment float for easy movement of the heaviest loads; also referred to as air casters.
- Air Bearing Kits Round steel air bearing kits using A-type air bearings that move heavy machinery throughout a workplace; kits can be fitted directly to machines requiring frequent moving.
- Air Compressors Air compressor tools that power pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, and cleaning/maintenance operations, providing a reliable power source for air-bearing and material handling systems.
- Air Lifting Bags Inflatable lifting devices typically manufactured with Kevlar or steel woven mesh; can lift loads ranging from several tons to over 200 tons and complement material handling equipment in heavy load moving.
- Air Pallets Aluminum transporters ideal for moving heavy loads of standard shapes and sizes; float on air bearings and move much heavier objects than typical carts or pallet jacks.
- Aluminum Transporters Aluminum-construction heavy load carriers that float on air bearings, enabling easy movement of heavy machinery and equipment.
- Car – Vehicle Turntables Motor-powered rotating platforms that turn vehicles 360 degrees in confined spaces for residential, commercial, and industrial parking solutions, eliminating complex multi-point turns.
- Industrial Turntables Turntable systems that rotate heavy loads with minimal effort for confined spaces and small facilities, reducing complex equipment rearrangements.
- Heavy Duty Transporters Transporters engineered to handle loads weighing several tons, with capacity up to 300 tons per the product brochure, used for heavy equipment moving and heavy load handling.
- Hovair Super Kits Kits that include the MatJack tool for positioning air caster modules underneath loads or machinery; the MatJack can raise loads of up to 50 tons off the floor for air caster module placement.
- Lifting Jacks Ergonomic air-powered lifting equipment designed to handle heavy loads safely with minimal physical strain.
- Remote Control Units Remote control units for wireless operation of material handling equipment, including transporters and other heavy load handling systems.
- Rigging Equipment Rigging equipment including slings, chains, and pulleys designed to safely secure loads during lifting and moving operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Loads up to 300 tons can be moved with minimal force
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hovair Systems
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hovair Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Hovair Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Hovair Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ITW (Illinois Tool Works): ITW is a diversified industrial manufacturer with multiple segments in material handling and specialty equipment. Broad incumbent and adjacent industrial peer given ITW's presence in industrial fastening, lifting, and material-handling adjacencies.
- Konecranes: Konecranes is a global leader in lifting equipment, cranes, and material handling solutions across ports, manufacturing, and industrial end markets. Broad incumbent competing in Hovair's adjacent heavy-load handling space via cranes and hoists rather than air bearings.
- Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: Hyster-Yale designs and manufactures lift trucks and material handling equipment under the Hyster and Yale brands. Broad incumbent competing with Hovair via industrial trucks, forklifts, and stackers in warehousing and manufacturing.
- JBT AeroTech: JBT AeroTech (JBT Corporation division) supplies ground support equipment, mobile air conditioning, and gate equipment for aviation and aerospace. Adjacent broad incumbent serving overlapping aerospace and defense customers as Hovair.
- Toyota Material Handling: Toyota Material Handling manufactures forklifts, reach trucks, and warehouse material handling equipment. Broad incumbent and primary substitute to Hovair's air-bearing solutions in industrial logistics and warehouse applications.
- Jungheinrich: Jungheinrich manufactures forklifts, warehouse equipment, and intralogistics systems with strong European presence. Broad incumbent and substitute competitor in industrial material handling applications served by Hovair.
Direct peers
- AeroGo: AeroGo manufactures air bearing load moving equipment (air casters, air pallets, transporters) for heavy industrial loads. Closest direct competitor to Hovair, with overlapping product lines, similar end markets (aerospace, manufacturing, defense), and similar air-bearing technology approach.
- Airfloat: Airfloat designs and manufactures air caster and air bearing systems for moving heavy equipment in industrial settings. Direct competitor offering near-identical technology (compressed air film) with similar aerospace and manufacturing customers.
- Airmo Inc. Airmo manufactures air bearing systems and air caster technology for heavy load handling and precision positioning applications. Comparable niche manufacturer competing directly in the air-bearing material handling segment.
Emerging players
- Caldwell (a brand of Kito Group): Caldwell manufactures below-the-hook lifting devices, rigging equipment, and material handling products. Niche player with overlapping product overlap on lifting bags, jacks, and rigging accessories that Hovair also sells.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hovair Systems social profiles
Digital presenceHovair Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hovair Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hovair Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hovair Systems 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 Hovair Systems
What does Hovair Systems do?
Hovair Systems manufactures and supplies air bearing systems (air casters), air lifting bags, heavy duty transporters, lift decks, vehicle and industrial turntables, air pallets, aluminum transporters, air compressors, lifting jacks, remote control units, and rigging equipment. Products are powered by compressed air to create a frictionless cushion that lets operators move heavy machinery and equipment weighing from a few tons up to 300 tons. The company serves industrial customers in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, power generation, shipyard, spacecraft, vehicle manufacturing, and mass transit sectors, providing both standard catalog items and custom-engineered heavy load handling solutions.
Is Hovair Systems a public or private company?
Hovair Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Hovair Systems founded?
Hovair Systems was founded in 1964.
Where is Hovair Systems based?
Hovair Systems is headquartered in Kent, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hovair Systems make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Heavy Load Handling Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Solution Sales.
Who are Hovair Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ITW (Illinois Tool Works), Konecranes, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, JBT AeroTech, Toyota Material Handling and Jungheinrich. Direct peers are AeroGo, Airfloat and Airmo Inc.. Caldwell (a brand of Kito Group) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hovair Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hovair Systems.
What industry is Hovair Systems in?
Hovair Systems's product category is Material Handling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHABAE, Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial), with a secondary code of IMAHABAI, Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers). Its NAICS code is 333924 and its SIC code is 3530.