Allan Block

What Allan Block does

Allan Block Corporation, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, designs, patents, and licenses Segmental Retaining Wall (SRW) systems built around a proprietary mortarless interlocking lip-and-notch concrete block technology, supplemented by geogrid reinforcement products. Its portfolio spans multiple decorative and functional collections — AB Collection, AB Europa, AB Aztec, AB Fieldstone for retaining walls; AB Courtyard and AB Metro for patio and seating walls; and AB Fence for sound barrier and privacy applications — together with a suite of proprietary engineering and estimation software (AB Walls 3D+Terraces, AB Estimating Tool, AB Layout Tool Extension) used by design professionals and contractors. The company holds a multi-jurisdiction patent estate (US, Europe, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan) and a dense regulatory footprint including IAPMO ES #0958, UK BBA #13/H503, IACET Authorized Provider status, and Department of Transportation approvals in 28 US states plus British Columbia.

Allan Block operates an asset-light licensing-and-channel model: it does not manufacture product directly. Instead, qualified concrete block manufacturers produce Allan Block products regionally under license in protected territories and pay royalties; their output flows through a dealer and distributor network stocked by a consumer-facing dealer locator, ultimately reaching landscape contractors and end homeowners. The company monetizes through licensing royalties and channel support services, and reinforces specification pull via contractor certification, IACET-accredited CEU training webinars, a contractor rewards program, and dedicated portals for producers, dealers, designers, and contractors. Its end customer base is highly fragmented across residential, commercial, and DOT/engineered infrastructure applications in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Name

Allan Block

Legal name

Allan Block Corporation

Website

https://allanblock.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Allan Block Corporation, founded 1986 in Bloomington, Minnesota, licenses patented mortarless interlocking concrete retaining wall systems to a global network of manufacturers, dealers, and certified landscape contractors serving residential, commercial, and infrastructure markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retaining Wall Systems

NAICS

Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing (327331)

akta.pro primary industry

Retaining Wall Blocks & Segmental Wall Systems (IMADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Concrete Pavers, Hardscape & Retaining Wall Systems (IMADAAAE)

Keywords

• Segmental retaining walls
• Concrete block systems
• Patio wall solutions
• Sound barrier fencing
• Hardscape construction materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Licensing Royalties: Allan Block licenses its patented designs to concrete block manufacturers worldwide. Licensed producers manufacture and sell Allan Block products in their designated territories, paying royalties to Allan Block for the use of patented technology and brand.
2. Dealer/Distribution Network: Products are sold through a network of dealers and distributors who purchase from licensed manufacturers. Allan Block provides marketing support, training, and tools to the dealer network.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Allan Block designs, patents, and licenses segmental retaining wall (SRW) systems, patio and seating wall products, and sound barrier fencing solutions. Products are produced by licensed regional manufacturers and sold through an authorized dealer/distributor network to landscape contractors and homeowners. The company also provides complementary design software (AB Walls) and estimating tools for engineers, designers, and contractors.

Product overview

Allan Block is a manufacturer of segmental retaining wall systems, patio walls, and sound barrier fencing solutions. The product portfolio centers on interlocking concrete block systems sold under multiple collections (AB Collection, AB Europa, AB Aztec, AB Fieldstone) for retaining walls, with dedicated product lines for patio/seating walls (AB Courtyard, AB Metro) and fencing (AB Fence). The company also provides a complementary suite of design and estimating software tools (AB Walls 3D+Terraces, AB Estimating Tool, Layout Tool Extension) for architects, engineers, and contractors, along with geogrid reinforcement products. The offering is structured as a product ecosystem where physical masonry systems are supported by digital design tools and specification resources, rather than a unified platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AB Collection: Core retaining wall block product line with split-face finish
• AB Europa Collection
• AB Aztec Collection
• AB Fieldstone Collection
• AB Courtyard Collection
• AB Metro Patio Wall
• AB Fence
• AB GO
• AB Walls Design Software

Products and services

• AB Collection Retaining Walls Flagship retaining wall block product line featuring mortarless, interlocking concrete blocks with a patented lip-and-notch design for residential and engineered commercial projects.
• AB Europa Collection

Quantifiable outcome

• Mortarless installation significantly reduces construction time compared to traditional poured concrete or mortared block walls
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HomeAdvisorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership announced in 2019 to provide HomeAdvisor customers with access to Allan Block products and trained contractors. Win-win arrangement for lead generation.
• Hardscapes North America (HNA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual industry event where Allan Block sponsors project recognition awards. Provides visibility and credibility within the hardscape industry for certified contractors.
• Waste Management CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for responsible disposal of treated timber removed during Allan Block timber replacement projects. Waste Management provides certification letters confirming EPA-compliant disposal of hazardous wood materials.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Belgard (Oldcastle APG): Belgard, part of Oldcastle APG (CRH), is the largest hardscape brand in North America offering retaining walls as part of a comprehensive paver and outdoor living portfolio, competing with Allan Block across residential and commercial segments with broader dealer reach and consumer brand awareness.
• Pavestone (Oldcastle APG): Pavestone, part of Oldcastle APG, is a broad hardscape incumbent offering segmental retaining walls alongside pavers and outdoor living products, providing large-scale competition to Allan Block through deep dealer relationships and BigBox retail distribution.

Others

• Tensar International: Tensar is a leading manufacturer of geogrid soil reinforcement products that complement segmental retaining wall construction. While not a direct competitor, Tensar's BX and TriAx grids are often specified alongside or against Allan Block's AB Reinforcement Grid in engineered wall designs.

Regional players

• EP Henry: EP Henry is an East Coast-focused manufacturer of segmental retaining walls and concrete pavers, competing directly with Allan Block products in regional residential and commercial hardscape markets through company-owned production and dealer networks.

Direct peers

• Cambridge Pavers: Cambridge Pavers manufactures Armortec and other segmental retaining wall systems alongside concrete pavers, competing with Allan Block across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with similar DOT-approved products and dealer-driven distribution.
• Redi-Rock International: Redi-Rock is a direct segmental retaining wall competitor specializing in large-block wet-cast concrete retaining wall systems, distributed through a licensed manufacturer network with comparable international expansion and engineering support offerings.
• Anchor Wall Systems: Anchor Wall Systems (now part of Belgard/Oldcastle APG) is a long-standing direct competitor in segmental retaining walls, offering Diamond and other interlocking block systems sold through producers and dealers with similar DOT-approval driven specification strategies.
• Keystone Retaining Wall Systems: Keystone is one of the most direct competitors to Allan Block in segmental retaining wall systems, offering a similar lineup of interlocking concrete blocks with comparable pin and lip-and-notch connection technologies sold through licensed producers and a dealer network across North America.
• Unilock: Unilock manufactures and distributes segmental retaining wall blocks alongside a broader line of concrete pavers and outdoor living products in North America, competing with Allan Block for landscape contractor and homeowner specification across residential and commercial projects.

Emerging players

• Rosetta Hardscapes: Rosetta Hardscapes offers wet-cast concrete segmental retaining walls designed to mimic natural stone, competing with Allan Block's higher-end collections (AB Fieldstone, AB Europa) in residential and commercial landscape projects through licensed producer distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/allanblockwalls
• Facebookfacebook.com/AllanBlockWalls
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/allan-block-corporation

Compliance5 records

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 Allan Block