American Machine Tools
American Machine Tools is a privately held Illinois-based distributor and niche manufacturer of new metalworking machinery, selling lathes, mills, ironworkers, press brakes, shears, plasma tables, HVAC duct machines, and OB7 cobots to fabrication shops, HVAC contractors, manufacturers, and government buyers across the USA, Canada, and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What American Machine Tools does
American Machine Tools Company (legal entity American Machine Tools Inc., Illinois) is a privately held distributor and selective manufacturer of new metalworking machinery, headquartered in Roselle, Illinois with a secondary office in Chicago. The company sells a broad catalog of equipment used to cut, bend, form, punch, shear, and machine metal — including lathes, CNC lathes, knee/bed mills, CNC mills, drill presses, band and cold saws, shears, press brakes, ironworkers, plate rolls, notchers, plasma cutting tables, and HVAC duct-making machines — sourced from a multi-brand supplier base that includes USA-made names (Edwards, Betenbender, RAMS, Dake, Flagler, Burr King, Chicago Dreis & Krump, Productive Robotics) and imported lines (JET, Birmingham, Tin Knocker). American Machine Tools also manufactures its own Q-series portable line boring equipment (Q175, Q150, Q100, Q88) used for on-site reboring of worn bearing holes on heavy construction equipment, making it both a distributor and a niche OEM.
The company operates a quote-driven, consultative sales model: customers browse the AmericanMachineTools.com catalog, submit RFQ forms, or call a 1-773-334-5000 sales line; sales engineers with manufacturing backgrounds then provide email quotes with photos and mailed formal quotations. Payment is via credit card up to $10,000, check, wire, leasing/financing, or Net 30 terms for qualified government, education, and large corporate buyers. Distribution is primarily direct, with shipping throughout the USA and Canada and export support into Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; there is no public API, SDK, or channel/reseller network beyond export-company referrals. Marketing is SEO- and content-led through the catalog website, YouTube demonstrations, and BBB/Google/ThomasNet credibility signals.
The stated customer base of 10,000+ lifetime buyers spans metalworking fabrication shops, HVAC contractors, machine shops, heavy equipment maintenance providers, and selective U.S. government buyers (DoD, DHS, FBI on a case-by-case basis). The company has no disclosed investors, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no M&A history; its investor relations page indicates it is open to investment or new ownership through Tangent Business Brokerage. There is no disclosed revenue, funding, headcount trend, or AI/ML capability in the source material.
American Machine Tools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Machine Tools
- Legal name
- American Machine Tools Inc.
- Website
- https://americanmachinetools.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- American Machine Tools is a privately held Illinois-based distributor and niche manufacturer of new metalworking machinery, selling lathes, mills, ironworkers, press brakes, shears, plasma tables, HVAC duct machines, and OB7 cobots to fabrication shops, HVAC contractors, manufacturers, and government buyers across the USA, Canada, and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Machine Tools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metalworking Machinery Distribution
- NAICS
- Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335)
- SIC
- Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD), Industrial Saws & Cutting Systems (Band/Circular Saws, Abrasive Cutting) (IMAHADAL), Welding, Fabrication & Field Machining Services (On-site) (IMAIACAD), Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
Keywords
Where American Machine Tools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
American Machine Tools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- New Metalworking Machinery Sales: The company generates revenue primarily through the direct sale of new metalworking machinery and equipment. Products are sold at quoted prices with options for discounting. The company acts primarily as a distributor for branded manufacturers (Edwards, Betenbender, Dake, JET, Birmingham, RAMS, Flagler, Productive Robotics, etc.) while also manufacturing its own portable line boring equipment. Revenue is one-time per transaction, with repeat business from a large and growing customer base.
- Machinery Leasing and Financing: American Machine Tools arranges leasing and financing for machinery purchases, providing an additional revenue stream through financing arrangements. Net 30 payment terms are available to qualified buyers (government agencies, schools, large corporations), and 25% deposits are typically required for back-ordered machines.
- Parts, Service, and Technical Support: The company provides parts, service, and technical support (8 hours/day, 5 days/week) as part of its backing for every sale. While primarily a support function, it reinforces customer loyalty and drives repeat revenue for spare parts and accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard machinery catalog — prices by quote/RFQ |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Payment terms — credit cards, checks, wire, leasing, Net 30 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
American Machine Tools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Machine Tools distributes new metalworking machinery and equipment for cutting, bending, forming, punching, machining, and fabricating sheet metal and plate — including hydraulic ironworkers, shears, press brakes, lathes, milling machines, drill presses, band saws, CNC plasma tables, and HVAC duct-making machines. The company sources from multiple USA and offshore manufacturers (Edwards, Betenbender, Dake, JET, RAMS, Birmingham, Chicago Dreis & Krump, Productive Robotics) and also manufactures its own portable line boring equipment (Q-series) used to rebore worn bearing holes on heavy construction equipment.
Product overview
American Machine Tools Company is a distributor of new metalworking machinery and manufacturer of portable line boring equipment. The company operates a catalog-based e-commerce platform offering a comprehensive portfolio of metalworking equipment spanning cutting (saws, shears, plasma tables), forming (press brakes, brakes, bending rolls), fabrication (ironworkers, punches, notchers), and machining (lathes, mills, drill presses) categories. The company also distributes OB7 collaborative robots from Productive Robotics for automating machine tending. Key brands include Betenbender, Birmingham, Chicago Dreis & Krump, Dake, Edwards, JET, RAMS, and Sharp. Most machines are imported (Taiwan, Vietnam, China) with some USA-made products including Betenbender shears, Edwards ironworkers, RAMS machines, Dake equipment, and Burr King finishing equipment. The company sells to USA, Canada, Mexico, and international markets with sales engineers providing technical consultation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Portable Line Boring Machines (Q175, Q150, Q100, Q88) Proprietary portable line boring equipment manufactured by American Machine Tools for on-site reboring of worn bearing holes on heavy construction equipment such as cranes, backhoes, endloaders, excavators, tractors, and frames. Targeted at CAT equipment dealers, heavy-equipment maintenance crews, and on-site repair operations.
- OB7 Collaborative Robots (Cobots) 7-axis collaborative robot arms distributed from Productive Robotics that require no programming — users teach tasks by physically moving the cobot through the job. Available in Standard, Stretch, Max 12, and Max 8 models with arm reaches from 39.3 to 66.9 inches and payloads from 8.3 to 26 lbs. Includes accessories and integration services for lathes and mills. Targeted at shops seeking to automate machine tending, pick-and-place, finishing, and welding in the face of labor shortages.
- Edwards Ironworkers (45-120 ton) USA-made hydraulic ironworker machines from Edwards Manufacturing Company that combine hole punching, shearing, coping, plate notching, pipe notching, and metal bending in a single multi-station machine. Available from 45 to 120 ton capacities with optional tooling attachments such as coper-notchers, angle-notchers, rod shears, and press brake dies. Targeted at fabrication shops needing to consolidate multiple fabrication tasks onto one machine.
- Betenbender Hydraulic Metal Shears USA-made hydraulic metal shear machines from Betenbender for sheet metal and plate cutting, available in lengths from 4 to 16 feet with plate thickness capacities from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch. Feature power backgauges with LED readout, inch/metric options, and shadow line gauge systems. Targeted at metalworking fabrication shops of all sizes requiring USA-made heavy-duty cutting equipment.
- Chicago Dreis & Krump Hydraulic Sheet Metal Shears and Notchers Hydraulic sheet metal and notching machines from Chicago Dreis & Krump, available in multiple capacity models (HS-414, HS-410, HS-510) with centralized control panels and remote foot switches. Targeted at sheet metal fabrication shops.
- Press Brake Machines (Betenbender and Chicago Dreis & Krump) Hydraulic press brake machines for sheet metal and plate bending, distributed from Betenbender (USA-made) and Chicago Dreis & Krump. Targeted at fabrication shops requiring precision bending of sheet metal and plate.
- American-made Press Brake Dies (72 configurations) American-made tooling for bending metal on press brakes, including 85 degree, 90 degree, 30 degree acute angle, gooseneck, hemming, flattening, offset, 3-way, and 4-way dies and die holders, with 72 configurations available. Targeted at press brake users needing reliable American-made tooling.
- RAMS USA-made HVAC Duct Making Machines USA-made Pittsburgh lockformer machines and rollformers from RAMS for HVAC ductwork fabrication, including 24-gauge and 20-gauge models with optional roll sets. Targeted at HVAC contractors and shops fabricating their own ductwork.
- Tin Knocker Budget HVAC Machines Budget-priced HVAC duct making machines manufactured in Vietnam by Tin Knocker, including portable Pittsburgh lockformers, button lock rollformers, S and drive cleat formers, duct beaders, bar folders, cleat benders, spot welders, collar makers, and circle shears. Targeted at HVAC contractors seeking affordable duct-fabrication equipment.
- Flagler USA-made Premium HVAC Machines USA-made extra heavy-duty HVAC duct-making machines from Flagler, including rollformers for Pittsburgh lock, button snap lock, and other duct profiles. Targeted at high-volume HVAC contractors and duct fabrication shops needing premium heavy-duty equipment.
- Metal Cutting Band Saws Vertical and horizontal metal-cutting band saws distributed from Amada, Baileigh, Cosen, Dake, JET, WF Wells, and Verticut. Targeted at metalworking shops needing versatile metal-cutting capabilities.
- WF Wells USA-made Double Column Band Saws USA-made dual-post band saws from WF Wells with up to 50 inch cutting capacity for large pipe and structural sections. Targeted at heavy-industrial and structural-fabrication operations.
- Dake and JET Metal Cutting Cold Saws Circular cold saw machines from Dake and JET for burr-reduced straight cutting of metal. Targeted at machine shops and fabrication operations requiring precision cuts.
- Manual and CNC Lathes Manual lathes, JET lathes, and Sharp CNC lathes (9 sizes for 17 to 22 inch diameter swing with 40 to 80 inch working lengths) with optional digital readouts, taper attachments, and 5C closers. Targeted at machine shops turning parts in metal.
- JET CNC Milling Machines with Centroid Control CNC milling machines from JET with American-made Centroid controls, available in 2-axis with Z-axis digital readout, full 3-axis CNC, or 4-axis with rotary table configurations. Targeted at machine shops requiring computer-controlled milling.
- Birmingham CNC Bed Type Mills with Centroid M-400 Controllers Taiwan-made Birmingham CNC bed type milling machines equipped with USA-made Centroid M-400 CNC controllers, available in B2VS and B3VS models with table sizes from 10x54 to 12x60 inches. Targeted at machine shops needing heavy-duty CNC bed mills.
- Bridgeport-style Knee Mills (Vertical and Horizontal) Bridgeport-style knee-type vertical and horizontal milling machines with optional digital readouts and power feeds. Targeted at conventional machine shops and training programs.
- Drill Presses and Drill-Mills Standard drill presses and drill-mills with X-Y tables from JET and RongFu. Targeted at general metalworking shops requiring precision hole-drilling.
- Radial Arm Drill Presses Large radial arm drill presses with up to 98 inch arm capacity from ACRA, Birmingham, and JET. Targeted at heavy fabrication, structural steel, and large-part drilling applications.
- Dake Hydraulic Shop Presses (10-200 ton) H-frame and C-frame hydraulic shop presses from Dake (made in USA, Grand Rapids, Michigan), Edwards, and HMI in capacities from 10 to 200 ton. Targeted at fabrication shops and maintenance operations requiring pressing, forming, or straightening.
- USA-made Portable Hydraulic Power Units Low-cost portable hydraulic power units made in the USA for powering hydraulic machinery and tools. Targeted at shops needing mobile or supplemental hydraulic power.
- RAMS USA-made CNC Plasma Cutting Tables USA-made CNC plasma cutting tables from RAMS available in 5x10 foot (model 2051) or 5x20 foot (model 2052) capacities with 2-year factory warranties. Includes Shop Data Systems software and Thermal Dynamics A-40 Industrial Torch, cutting at 280 inches per minute through 20-gauge galvanized steel. Targeted at fabrication shops needing automated plate cutting.
- Plate Bending Rolls and Slip Rolls Slip rolls and sheet metal/plate bending roll machines with hydraulic 3-roll and 4-roll configurations. Targeted at fabrication shops needing to roll cylinders or curves in sheet metal or plate.
- Sheet Metal Power Leaf Brakes and Box & Pan Brakes Chicago Dreis & Krump hydraulic-powered sheet metal bending machines (power leaf brakes and box-and-pan brakes) up to 1/4 inch capacity or 14 feet long. Targeted at sheet metal fabrication shops needing heavy-duty bending capability.
- Portable Hole Punch and Turret Punch Presses Portable 35-ton hydraulic C-punch machines and 7-ton and 8-ton hand-operated turret punch machines for hole punching in metal. Targeted at fabrication and HVAC shops needing on-site or low-volume hole punching.
- GMC and Birmingham Surface Grinders Surface grinding machines from GMC and Birmingham in manual and automatic configurations. Targeted at machine shops needing precision surface finishing.
- Burr King Belt Grinders and Vibratory Bowls Industrial high-speed belt grinding and sanding machines plus vibratory bowls and chambers for benchtop surface conditioning such as deburring, descaling, and polishing. Targeted at fabrication and finishing operations needing metal surface preparation.
- Machinery Leasing and Financing Leasing and financing arrangements for machinery purchases offered alongside product sales. Net 30 payment terms are available to qualified buyers (government agencies, schools, and very large corporations), 25% deposits are typically required for back-ordered machines, and credit card payments are accepted up to $10,000. Targeted at buyers who need to finance capital equipment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10,000 satisfied customers served
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use American Machine Tools
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Machine Tools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
American Machine Tools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Productive RoboticscoreAmerican Machine Tools is an authorized distributor of OB7 Cobots manufactured by Productive Robotics (made in USA). These collaborative robots feature 7-axis maneuverability and no-programming-required teach-mode operation. American Machine Tools sells the full OB7 lineup including Standard, Stretch, Max 12, and Max 8 models, along with accessories (grippers, drill attachments, welding cobots) and integration services for lathes and mills.
- Edwards Manufacturing CompanycoreEdwards Manufacturing Company (Edwards) is the primary manufacturer of hydraulic ironworkers (55-120 ton), hydraulic shop presses, pipe benders, and related tooling sold by American Machine Tools. All Edwards machines are made in the USA. Edwards products represent the flagship USA-made brand in American Machine Tools' catalog, with multiple dedicated product pages and extensive customization options.
- Betenbender (Bentenbender)coreBetenbender is a USA-based manufacturer of hydraulic metal shears and plate shears sold exclusively through American Machine Tools. Betenbender machines are made in the USA with American-made motors, valves, hoses, and fittings. Products include hydraulic shears ranging from 4 to 16 feet and capacities from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch plate.
- RAMS (American Made Portable Boring Bars and CNC Plasma Tables)coreRAMS manufactures portable line boring equipment and CNC plasma cutting tables sold by American Machine Tools. The RAMS CNC plasma tables (models 2051 and 2052) are made in the USA with 2-year factory warranties. RAMS also makes HVAC machines including Pittsburgh lockformers, S and drive formers, power flangers, rotary crimper/beaders, and auxiliary rollforming machines, all made in the USA.
- Dake (Dake-Johnson)majorDake is a manufacturer of hydraulic shop presses (H-frame and C-frame, 10-200 ton), arbor presses, cold saws, band saws, and hydraulic equipment sold through American Machine Tools. Dake products are noted as being made in the USA (Grand Rapids, Michigan).
- Flagler HVAC MachinesmajorFlagler (Flagler Corp.) manufactures extra heavy-duty HVAC duct-making machines including rollformers for Pittsburgh lock, button snap lock, and other duct profiles. Flagler machines are made in the USA and are positioned as the premium end of American Machine Tools' HVAC offering (above the Tin Knocker and RAMS lines).
- JET (Jet Tools / JET Machinery)majorJET is a major manufacturer of metalworking machinery including band saws, cold saws, drill presses, lathes, milling machines, CNC milling machines, ironworkers, and belt/disc sanders sold through American Machine Tools. JET tools are produced globally (primarily Asia) and positioned as quality imported equipment.
- Centroid CNC ControlsmajorCentroid (made in USA) manufactures CNC controls (M-400) that are paired with Birmingham (Taiwan-made) CNC bed mills and knee mills sold by American Machine Tools. The Centroid M-400 control is highlighted as an American-made component in otherwise imported CNC machines.
- Birmingham / GMC (Taiwan-made CNC and Conventional Machines)majorBirmingham (Taiwan) manufactures CNC bed type mills and conventional milling machines, while GMC (Taiwan) manufactures Pittsburgh lockformers and surface grinders sold through American Machine Tools. These are positioned as quality imported machines with competitive pricing.
- Tin Knocker (Imported HVAC Machines)minorTin Knocker (manufactured in Vietnam) produces a range of budget-priced HVAC duct-making machines including portable Pittsburgh lockformers, button lock rollformers, S & drive cleat formers, duct beaders, bar folders, cleat benders, spot welders, collar makers, and circle shears. These are sold as affordable alternatives to the USA-made Flagler and RAMS machines.
- Chicago Dreis & KrumpmajorChicago Dreis & Krump (Dreis & Krump) manufactures hydraulic sheet metal shears, corner notchers, and sheet metal brakes sold by American Machine Tools. The company has a long-standing reputation in the metalworking industry for heavy-duty hydraulic shearing and bending equipment.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Machine Tools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MSC Industrial Direct: Large public industrial distributor of metalworking tools, machinery, MRO supplies. Comparable in serving fab shops and manufacturers with cutting tools, machine tools, and shop equipment, but operates at much larger scale with a catalog of 2M+ SKUs versus AMT's curated specialty focus.
- Grainger: Fortune 500 industrial MRO distributor serving maintenance, repair, and operations buyers. Overlaps with AMT on metalworking machinery and shop equipment, but is a broad-line incumbent rather than a specialist in fabrication machinery.
- Global Industrial Company: Multi-category industrial equipment distributor serving businesses and government. Overlaps with AMT on metalworking machinery, material handling, and shop equipment, but at broader portfolio scale.
Direct peers
- KBC Tools & Machinery: Distributor of metalworking machinery, cutting tools, and shop equipment serving North American fabrication shops. Directly comparable specialty distributor with similar catalog breadth and customer base.
- Travers Tool Co. Specialty metalworking tools and machinery distributor selling cutting tools, machine tool accessories, and shop equipment to fab shops and manufacturers in North America. Closely comparable business model — catalog-based B2B sales of metalworking equipment to similar buyer profile.
- Productivity Inc: Distributor of metalworking tooling, machine tools, and fabrication equipment to industrial manufacturers in the Midwest US. Comparable specialty distributor with overlapping brand partnerships and customer profile.
Emerging players
- Baileigh Industrial: Manufacturer and direct seller of metalworking and fabrication equipment (band saws, ironworkers, press brakes, plasma tables, sheet metal machinery). Comparable product categories sold by AMT but competes via direct-to-customer e-commerce rather than multi-brand distribution.
- Tin Knocker / Horn Machine Tools (imported machinery brands sold via dealers): Manufacturer of imported HVAC duct-making and sheet metal machinery distributed through dealers including AMT. Comparable product overlap in the HVAC/fabrication category but competes via direct dealer networks.
Regional players
- Empire Machinery / Arizona Machinery (construction equipment dealer example): Regional heavy equipment and machinery dealer serving specific US geographies (Arizona in this example). Comparable dealer-distributor model for construction-grade machinery; overlaps with AMT's CAT/heavy-equipment line boring customer base but geographically concentrated.
Others
- Roll Forming & Metalworking Equipment (RAMS / Integrated Machinery): US manufacturer of portable line boring equipment and CNC plasma tables supplied through AMT. Overlaps as both a principal supplier relationship and a competing direct-sales channel for the same end products.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
American Machine Tools social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Machine Tools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Machine Tools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
American Machine Tools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Machine Tools 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 American Machine Tools
What does American Machine Tools do?
American Machine Tools distributes new metalworking machinery and equipment for cutting, bending, forming, punching, machining, and fabricating sheet metal and plate — including hydraulic ironworkers, shears, press brakes, lathes, milling machines, drill presses, band saws, CNC plasma tables, and HVAC duct-making machines. The company sources from multiple USA and offshore manufacturers (Edwards, Betenbender, Dake, JET, RAMS, Birmingham, Chicago Dreis & Krump, Productive Robotics) and also manufactures its own portable line boring equipment (Q-series) used to rebore worn bearing holes on heavy construction equipment.
Is American Machine Tools a public or private company?
American Machine Tools is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was American Machine Tools founded?
American Machine Tools was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is American Machine Tools based?
American Machine Tools is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Machine Tools make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. New Metalworking Machinery Sales are the primary driver. The others are machinery Leasing and Financing and parts, Service, and Technical Support.
Who are American Machine Tools's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MSC Industrial Direct, Grainger and Global Industrial Company. Direct peers are KBC Tools & Machinery, Travers Tool Co. and Productivity Inc. Emerging players are Baileigh Industrial and Tin Knocker / Horn Machine Tools (imported machinery brands sold via dealers). Empire Machinery / Arizona Machinery (construction equipment dealer example) is listed as a regional player. Roll Forming & Metalworking Equipment (RAMS / Integrated Machinery) is listed as an others.
Does American Machine Tools have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Machine Tools.
What industry is American Machine Tools in?
American Machine Tools's product category is Metalworking Machinery Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAC, Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping), with a secondary code of IMAHADAD, Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching). Its NAICS code is 33351 and its SIC code is 3540.