AK Material Handling Systems

What AK Material Handling Systems does

AK Material Handling Systems, Inc. is a privately held U.S. material handling distributor and turnkey warehouse solutions provider headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, operating since the late 1980s. The company sells pallet racking systems (selective, structural, stainless steel, push-back, drive-in, pallet flow, carton flow, cantilever), automated systems (ASRS, VRC lifts, pallet shuttle systems, warehouse robotics, conveyors, cranes, carousels), industrial systems (mezzanines, modular offices, steel shelving, cleanrooms, keg storage), and accessories including wire decking. It distributes major brands such as Ridg-U-Rak, Steel King, J&L Wire Deck, SpaceRak, Interroll, AUTOMHA, and Wildeck, and provides end-to-end services including warehouse space planning, CAD-based layout design, permitting, professional installation, rack inspection, rack buyback, and warehouse relocation.

The company operates a multi-channel model: (1) enterprise field sales with a Design Group that travels nationwide for turnkey projects, (2) regional quick-ship distribution centers in Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, and South Carolina backed by in-stock inventory, and (3) an e-commerce storefront for small components. It serves primarily food and beverage, manufacturing, e-commerce and distribution, and cold storage customers, with secondary exposure to pharmaceutical, oil and gas, agriculture/grow rooms, and retail. Revenue is generated from hardware sales, professional services (design, installation, project management), and recurring services (rack inspection, maintenance, relocation, buyback). The company has held MHEDA MVP status for over 10 consecutive years (2013–2025) and has received multiple regional Best Places to Work recognitions, signaling durable industry standing despite a lean headcount of 11–50 employees.

Name

AK Material Handling Systems

Legal name

AK Material Handling Systems, Inc.

Website

https://akequipment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AK Material Handling Systems is a U.S. distributor and turnkey provider of pallet rack systems, warehouse automation, and material handling equipment, serving food and beverage, manufacturing, e-commerce, and cold storage customers nationwide from its Maple Grove, MN headquarters and four regional quick-ship facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Partitions, Shelvg, Lockers, & Office & Store Fixtures (2540)

akta.pro primary industry

Warehouse Storage & Racking Systems (Pallet Racking, Shelving, Mezzanines) (IMAHABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conveyors & Sortation Systems (Warehouse & Parcel) (IMAHABAC), Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Pallet rack systems
• Warehouse storage solutions
• Material handling equipment
• Warehouse design services
• Industrial racking systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Maple Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pallet Rack Product Sales: Sales of new and used pallet racking systems, components (frames, beams, wire decking, clips, accessories), and industrial shelving. Both complete systems and individual components.
2. Engineering and Design Services: Warehouse layout design, space planning, CAD drawings, and consultation services for optimal material handling efficiency.
3. Installation and Project Management: Professional installation services for pallet racking, mezzanines, work platforms, and turnkey warehouse systems. Includes permits assistance and project management.
4. Rack Inspection and Maintenance: Rack inspection services, repair services, moving pallet racks, rack buyback program, and warehouse relocation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AK Material Handling Systems supplies pallet rack systems and related warehouse storage equipment, providing complete turnkey solutions that span space planning, CAD-based design, supply of new and used racking, professional installation, permits, and post-installation services such as rack inspection, repair, buyback, and warehouse relocation. In addition to racking products (selective, structural, push-back, drive-in, pallet flow, carton flow, and cantilever), the company distributes automated systems (ASRS, VRC lifts, pallet shuttle, robotics, conveyors, cranes, carousels), industrial systems (mezzanines, modular offices, steel shelving, cleanrooms, keg storage), and accessories such as wire decking, frames, beams, and clips.

Product overview

AK Material Handling Systems is a material handling distributor offering complete turnkey pallet rack systems. Their portfolio includes multiple core pallet racking products (Selective, Structural, Stainless Steel, Push-Back, Drive-In, Pallet Flow, Carton Flow, and Cantilever systems), automated systems (ASRS, VRC Lifts, Pallet Shuttle, Robotics, Conveyors, Cranes, Carousels), industrial systems (Mezzanines, Modular Offices, Steel Shelving, Cleanrooms), and comprehensive services (Design, Installation, Relocation, Inspection, Permits). They serve diverse industries including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, cold storage, e-commerce, and distribution centers, providing everything from space planning to installation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Selective Pallet Rack Standard pallet racking system that allows direct access to every pallet, ideal for warehouses with diverse SKU inventory. Sold by AK as part of its core pallet rack portfolio.
• Structural Pallet Rack Heavy-duty pallet rack with structural steel columns and rails for demanding applications requiring higher load capacities.
• Stainless Steel Pallet Racking Corrosion-resistant pallet racking designed for environments requiring strict hygiene standards such as food and pharmaceutical applications.
• Push-Back Rack High-density storage system where pallets are stored multiple deep on inclined rails, allowing last-in-first-out (LIFO) inventory access.
• Drive-In Pallet Racking High-density storage system allowing forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure, maximizing storage capacity for homogeneous products.
• Pallet Flow Rack Gravity-driven FIFO storage system where pallets automatically advance from loading end to pick face on rollers or wheels.
• Carton Flow Rack Gravity-fed picking system designed for individual cartons, boxes, or cases, ideal for order fulfillment and e-commerce operations.
• Cantilever Racks Storage system with arms extending from vertical columns, designed for storing long, bulky, or irregularly-shaped items.
• Used Pallet Racking Pre-owned pallet rack systems available at reduced pricing, inspected for quality and structural integrity.
• ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) Computer-controlled systems that automatically store and retrieve products with minimal human intervention.
• VRC Lifts Vertical reciprocating conveyors that safely move materials between different warehouse levels.
• Pallet Shuttle Systems Semi-automated high-density storage using a motorized shuttle that moves pallets within the rack channels.
• Warehouse Robotics Robotic systems for warehouse automation including material handling and storage operations.
• Warehouse Conveyor Systems Material handling conveyor systems for moving products efficiently through warehouse operations.
• Warehouse Cranes Overhead crane systems for heavy-duty material handling and storage applications.
• Carousels Rotating storage systems that bring items to operators for efficient picking operations.
• Forklift Wire Guidance Systems Wire-guided navigation systems for forklifts to improve accuracy and safety in warehouse operations.
• Work Platforms and Mezzanines Structural platforms and mezzanine systems that create additional floor space within existing warehouse facilities.
• Steel Shelving Heavy-duty industrial shelving systems for storing parts, tools, and materials in warehouse environments.
• Modular Cleanrooms Controlled-environment modular rooms for pharmaceutical, medical, or manufacturing applications requiring clean air standards.
• Modular Office Free-standing modular office structures installed within warehouse facilities for administrative or operational use.
• Grow Rooms Indoor growing facility design and storage solutions for agricultural and cannabis cultivation operations.
• Pallet Racks for Cold Storage Refrigerated and freezer storage racking solutions designed for cold environment applications.
• Wire Decking Wire mesh decking placed on pallet rack beams to support palletized loads and improve ventilation.
• Warehouse Layout Design Professional CAD-based warehouse space planning and layout design services to optimize storage efficiency.
• Pallet Rack Installation Professional installation services for pallet racking systems ensuring proper assembly and safety compliance.
• Warehouse Relocation Complete warehouse relocation services including rack dismantling, transport, and reinstallation.
• Rack Inspection Professional safety inspections of existing pallet rack systems to identify damage and compliance issues.
• Rack Buyback Purchase programs for used pallet racking systems from customers upgrading their storage infrastructure.
• Project Management End-to-end project coordination services for warehouse storage system implementations.
• Permitting Assistance with local building permits and regulatory compliance for warehouse storage installations.
• Warehouse Space Planning Consultation services for optimizing warehouse layout and maximizing storage capacity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Storage capacity increase by 60% for Second Harvest Heartland food bank
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered community, core, strategic, industry and minor.

• Feed My Starving ChildrencommunityOthersCharitable partnership through which AK donates meals and supports the nonprofit organization's mission to feed children globally. AK has participated in charitable wagers and fundraising events benefiting this organization.
• Ridg-U-RakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive or primary distributor of Ridg-U-Rak pallet flow systems, structural rack, and related products. Received Baker's Dozen Award from Ridg-U-Rak in 2013 for outstanding performance.
• Steel KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor brand partner for teardrop pallet racking systems, frames, beams, and accessories including safety clips and shims.
• J&L Wire DeckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive quick ship partner for J&L wire decking products. Maintains in-stock inventory for rapid nationwide shipping.
• SpaceRakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries SpaceRak pallet racking with in-stock quick ship options available from Ohio facility.
• InterrollcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for full-width roller components used in pallet flow systems. Interroll rollers provide continuous surface contact for smooth pallet movement in gravity flow applications.
• AUTOMHAstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartner for AUTOMHA PalletRunner and MarquisXT FIFO solutions used in pallet flow and automated storage applications.
• WildeckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Wildeck work platforms and mezzanine systems for industrial and warehouse applications.
• MHEDAindustryOthersMaterial Handling Equipment Distributors Association - industry association membership providing networking, education, and recognition programs. AK has received MHEDA MVP Award multiple consecutive years.
• U.S. Bank StadiumminorOthersSports facility partnership for Minnesota Twins pallet rack system installation and ongoing support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kardex Group: Provider of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), carousels, and vertical lift modules that overlaps with AK's automated systems offering at a larger scale.
• SSI SCHAEFER: Global incumbent in warehouse storage, racking, and automated storage solutions with broader portfolio and enterprise scale that competes for the larger end of AK's addressable market.
• Daifuku North America: Global material handling systems integrator serving automotive, e-commerce, and distribution with automated storage and conveyor solutions that overlap with AK's automation portfolio.

Direct peers

• Frazier Industrial Company: Manufacturer of pallet rack, shelving, and structural storage systems serving warehouses and distribution centers in North America with directly overlapping product lines.
• Ridg-U-Rak: Manufacturer of pallet flow and structural rack systems that is both an AK distribution partner and a direct competitor selling to end customers. Closest product overlap.
• Steel King Industries: Pallet rack and protective barrier manufacturer that supplies AK as a partner and competes directly in the structural rack and teardrop rack segments.
• Hannibal Industries: US-based pallet rack and material handling products manufacturer with overlapping selective, structural, and push-back rack offerings to AK's catalog.
• Speedrack Products Group: Manufacturer and distributor of selective, drive-in, and pallet flow rack serving similar mid-market warehouse customers with overlapping product offerings.
• Mecalux: Global warehouse racking, shelving, and automated storage solutions provider competing across the same pallet rack, cantilever, and ASRS product categories AK serves.

Emerging players

• UNEX Manufacturing: Manufacturer of dynamic storage solutions including the SpeedCell pick module that AK resells - comparable focus on order fulfillment density and carton flow optimization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mn_pallet_rack
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ak-material-handling-systems
• Facebookfacebook.com/AKmaterialhandlingsystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 AK Material Handling Systems