Vacuworx

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.

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

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

• Vacuum lifting equipment
• Material handling systems
• Heavy-duty pipe lifting
• Concrete slab handling
• Precast concrete lifters

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Training Programs: Online Vacuworx Training Center with certification modules for RC Series lifters covering installation, operation, daily checklists, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• AmeriTex Pipe & ProductscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive 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.
• QubecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration 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.
• FINFROCKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign-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.majorTechnology or IntegrationGerman 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 DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 & EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized 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 PipelinemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/vacuworx
• Facebookfacebook.com/vacuworx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vacuworx-global
• Instagraminstagram.com/vacuworx
• Xx.com/vacuworx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Vacuworx