Hovair Systems

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.

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

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

• Air bearing systems
• Heavy load handling
• Material handling equipment
• Air caster technology
• Industrial transporters

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments7 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

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad 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

• Xx.com/hovairinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hovairsystemsmanufacturing4877
• Facebookfacebook.com/Hovairsocial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hovair-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Hovair Systems