Vacuworx
Vacuworx is a privately held Tulsa-based manufacturer founded in 1999 that designs, sells, and rents vacuum lifting systems for safely handling heavy materials such as coated pipe, concrete slabs, and steel plates across 25+ countries, serving pipeline, construction, precast, water, solar, and industrial customers through direct sales and a global dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersTulsa, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vacuworx does
Vacuworx is a privately held industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1999 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Bill and Christy Solomon. The company designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum lifting systems that use negative-pressure pumps and proprietary vacuum pad seal materials to grip, lift, and precisely place heavy loads including coated steel pipe, concrete slabs, steel plates, and structural panels without chains, hooks, or slings. Its product portfolio spans six tiers: Compact (CM 3, SL 2), Mid-Range (MC Series), Heavy-Duty (RC Series, 22,000 to 77,000 lb capacity, custom to 100,000 lb), Portable/Subcompact (PS 1, PHD battery-powered), Computer-Controlled (CC-MP multi-pipe, CC-TT double tee), and Specialty units (Solar Panel Lifter, SIP Panel Lifter). The systems carry proprietary software, wireless remote telemetry, and closed-circuit cameras on the higher-end CC units, and are certified to ISO 9001:2015, CE Machinery Directive, and EN13155 standards.
The company generates revenue through four streams: (1) one-time hardware sales via direct field sales, an authorized dealer network, and the Vacuworx Australia subsidiary; (2) short-term equipment rental through dealers and direct channels; (3) recurring service revenue from periodic inspections, parts replacement, factory-certified rebuilds, and upgrades; and (4) professional training delivered through the Vacuworx Training Center. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting a custom-engineered capital-equipment sales motion.
Vacuworx serves a diversified enterprise customer base across Oil & Gas/Pipeline, Concrete & Construction, Water & Sewer, Precast Concrete, Landscaping, Manufacturing, and Solar/Renewable Energy, with named enterprise customers including Kissick Construction, Mobley Contractors, Pulice Construction, FINFROCK, Tindall Corp, RCR Rail, MAX STREICHER (Germany), and Ledonne Constructions (Australia). The global dealer network reaches 25+ countries across six continents, with regional manufacturing and distribution through the wholly-owned Vacuworx Australia subsidiary and channel partners including Maats Pipeline (Netherlands/Europe) and Able Tool & Equipment (New England). The Tulsa headquarters includes a 155,000 sq ft manufacturing facility with in-house precision machining and custom fabrication.
Vacuworx firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vacuworx
- Legal name
- Vaculift, Inc., doing business as Vacuworx
- Website
- https://vacuworx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Vacuworx is a privately held Tulsa-based manufacturer founded in 1999 that designs, sells, and rents vacuum lifting systems for safely handling heavy materials such as coated pipe, concrete slabs, and steel plates across 25+ countries, serving pipeline, construction, precast, water, solar, and industrial customers through direct sales and a global dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vacuworx industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vacuum Lifting Equipment
- NAICS
- Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)
- SIC
- Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)
Keywords
Where Vacuworx is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tulsa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Vacuworx 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, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: Direct sale of vacuum lifting systems including RC Series, MC Series, CM Series, SL Series, PS/PHD Series, and specialty products. Sales through dealer network and direct from manufacturer.
- Equipment Rental: Vacuworx lifters available for rent through the company and authorized dealers. Provides flexible access to equipment for contractors with short-term or project-specific needs.
- Service and Maintenance: Comprehensive maintenance, refurbishment, repairs, and factory-certified rebuild programs. Includes periodic inspections (in-house and on-site), parts replacement, and upgrades to extend equipment life.
- Training Programs: Online Vacuworx Training Center with certification modules for RC Series lifters covering installation, operation, daily checklists, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Direct equipment purchase through Vacuworx or authorized dealers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Vacuworx product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vacuworx designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum lifting equipment that uses vacuum pumps to create suction between lifting pads and heavy materials, enabling safe and efficient handling of pipes, concrete slabs, steel plates, and other loads without chains, hooks, or slings. Products are sold and rented directly and through a global dealer network across oil & gas, pipeline, concrete, precast, water utility, landscaping, solar, and general construction industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RC Series Industrial Lifters
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced truck loading time from 3 hours to 30 minutes using RC 20 lifter
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Vacuworx
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Vacuworx technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Vacuworx partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- AmeriTex Pipe & ProductscoreExclusive equipment partnership in Texas. AmeriTex concrete pipe or box customers get access to RC Series vacuum lifter at no additional equipment cost with purchases. Strategic partnership to expand market reach in Texas construction sector.
- QubecoreCollaboration on APA NGI Northern Gas Interconnect Project in Australia. Qube uses Vacuworx CC-MP and MC 5 lifters for pipe handling. Joint product development including new guidance system trialled on Qube Multi Lifters. Partnership resulted in 2019 APGA Safety Award.
- FINFROCKcoreDesign-build firm in Florida. Vacuworx provided RC10 for installing 7,000-pound precast concrete balconies at The CenterPointe Apartments. Collaboration between Vacuworx VP of Operations/Engineering and FINFROCK team led to tailored solution for precast handling.
- MAX STREICHER GmbH & Co.majorGerman company acquired RC Series lifter and 1016-mm pad assembly from Vacuworx distributor Maats Pipeline for use on Baltic Pipe project in Denmark. Used lifter with CAT 352 hydraulic excavator for pipe handling.
- Tindall Corp. San Antonio DivisioncorePartnership to develop CC-TT Computer Controlled Double Tee Vacuum Lifting System for handling precast double tee beams. Tindall approached Vacuworx to address safety concerns about workers on ladders. Joint engineering effort resulted in 77,000 lb capacity lifting system.
- Able Tool & EquipmentcoreAuthorized distributor with locations in South Windsor, Connecticut and West Springfield, Massachusetts. Specializes in lighter side of heavy highway, utility construction and demolition work. Deals primarily in PS/PHD Series, SL Series, and CM Series vacuum lifters. Started partnership Q1 2021.
- Maats PipelinemajorEquipment dealer and Vacuworx distributor based in Netherlands. Supplies Vacuworx equipment to European markets including RC Series lifters for Baltic Pipe project. Provides spare parts, rental machines, and pipeline equipment.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vacuworx competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TAWI: Swedish manufacturer of vacuum lifters, jib cranes, and ergonomic handling equipment. TAWI competes directly with Vacuworx in industrial vacuum lifting solutions for repetitive handling of boxes, slabs, and heavy materials.
- Wood's Powr-Grip: Manufacturer of vacuum lifting equipment, vacuum cups, and below-the-hook vacuum lifters. Wood's Powr-Grip serves glass, construction, and industrial handling markets with similar vacuum-pad technology to Vacuworx.
- Aero-Lift: US-based manufacturer of vacuum tube lifters and below-the-hook vacuum lifting devices. Aero-Lift serves similar industrial and material handling customers with comparable vacuum-based lifting technology.
- J.D. Neuhaus: German manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic hoists and crane systems for heavy industrial loads. J.D. Neuhaus competes in heavy-duty material handling markets overlapping with Vacuworx's pipeline, steel, and concrete segments, primarily serving European customers.
- ANVER Corporation: US-based manufacturer of vacuum lifters, vacuum hoists, and below-the-hook vacuum tube lifters. ANVER directly competes with Vacuworx in vacuum-based material handling for industrial, sheet metal, and palletized load applications.
- Schmalz: German-headquartered global leader in vacuum automation and handling systems. Schmalz manufactures vacuum components, suction cups, and complete lifting systems that directly overlap with Vacuworx's vacuum lifting pad technology across similar industrial end markets.
Others
- Mazzella Companies: US provider of overhead material handling solutions including cranes, hoists, and rigging products, with a lifting equipment distribution business. Mazzella serves similar contractor and industrial customers to Vacuworx, often as a complementary supplier in material handling specifications.
Broad incumbents
- Columbus McKinnon: Large diversified industrial lifting and material handling company (owner of brands including Caldwell and Coffing). Columbus McKinnon serves the same heavy-material end markets as Vacuworx but through mechanical hoists and chain lifting rather than vacuum technology.
- Gorbel Inc. US manufacturer of overhead material handling equipment including jib cranes, gantry cranes, and workstation cranes. Gorbel addresses adjacent heavy-material handling needs with broader mechanical rather than vacuum-based solutions.
Emerging players
- Piab Group: Global provider of vacuum automation and gripping solutions for industrial applications. Piab supplies vacuum pumps, suction cups, and end-of-arm tooling—adjacent technology components used in vacuum lifting systems like Vacuworx's.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vacuworx social profiles
Digital presenceVacuworx financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vacuworx leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Vacuworx subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Vacuworx funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vacuworx 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 Vacuworx
What does Vacuworx do?
Vacuworx designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum lifting equipment that uses vacuum pumps to create suction between lifting pads and heavy materials, enabling safe and efficient handling of pipes, concrete slabs, steel plates, and other loads without chains, hooks, or slings. Products are sold and rented directly and through a global dealer network across oil & gas, pipeline, concrete, precast, water utility, landscaping, solar, and general construction industries.
Is Vacuworx a public or private company?
Vacuworx is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Vacuworx founded?
Vacuworx was founded in 1999. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Vacuworx based?
Vacuworx is headquartered in Tulsa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vacuworx make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rental, service and Maintenance and training Programs.
Who are Vacuworx's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TAWI, Wood's Powr-Grip, Aero-Lift, J.D. Neuhaus, ANVER Corporation and Schmalz. Mazzella Companies is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Columbus McKinnon and Gorbel Inc.. Piab Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Vacuworx have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vacuworx.
What industry is Vacuworx in?
Vacuworx's product category is Vacuum Lifting Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAGAN, Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers). Its NAICS code is 33391 and its SIC code is 3561.