Acorn Wire + Iron Works

What Acorn Wire + Iron Works does

Acorn Wire + Iron Works is a Chicago-based manufacturer founded in 1913 that designs, fabricates, and ships security folding gates, woven wire mesh partitions, and storage units from a single 50,000 square-foot facility. Its product portfolio spans three lines: woven wire mesh partitions (standard 10-gauge, heavy 6-gauge, and window guards), security folding gates (the SMART Gate with electromagnetic locking and access-control integration, Bostwick, portable, and scissor configurations), and storage units including expanded-metal mesh lockers and pre-fabricated in-stock cages. Manufacturing is anchored on 100% carbon-neutral recycled steel sourced from American suppliers, with proprietary hardware including a Marks USA hand-cast lock mechanism tested against sledgehammer assault and die-cast aluminum alloy components, both engineered in-house. All products qualify for LEED points and the company holds direct-vendor status with Chicago Public Schools, alongside AIA, CSI, and EDMarket memberships that embed the brand in commercial construction specification channels (Sweets, Dodge, MasterSpec).

The company sells primarily through project-based, one-time transactions: enterprise field sales for large custom Division 8 and Division 10 specifications, inside sales through phone and email with 24-48 hour quote turnaround and 2-3 day CAD delivery, and a dealer network. Standard project lead times run 4-6 weeks after shop drawing approval. Customers span 11 verticals including schools and campuses, military bases, government facilities, transportation hubs, postal distribution centers, bonded warehouses, retail, co-location/data centers, utilities, healthcare, and multi-unit residential buildings; named logos include USPS, Wells Fargo, McCormick Place, Steppenwolf Theater, multiple K-12 schools, healthcare systems, and Jewel Osco. Pricing is custom-quoted for most products while newly launched in-stock cages carry published unit pricing of $2,145-$3,365 plus freight. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, a stable leadership team led by President Dean Wynne and General Manager Carina Diaz, and approximately 25-30 employees across administration, sales/estimating, project management, and manufacturing departments.

Name

Acorn Wire + Iron Works

Legal name

Acorn Wire + Iron Works

Website

https://acornwire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Security Product Sales: One-time sales of custom-manufactured security products including woven wire mesh partitions, security folding gates, and storage units. Products are custom quoted based on specifications, with pricing varying by product type, gauge, configuration, and project scope. Standard in-stock cages have published pricing. Most products require custom quotes based on customer specifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Acorn Wire + Iron Works manufactures security folding gates, woven wire mesh partitions, and storage units from 100% carbon neutral recycled steel at its Chicago facility. Products include standard duty (10-gauge) and heavy duty (6-gauge) partitions, window guards, SMART gates with electromagnetic access locking, Bostwick/portable/scissor folding gates, in-stock wire mesh cages, and expanded metal storage units for safety, security, loss prevention, and traffic control applications.

Product overview

Acorn Wire + Iron Works is a manufacturer of security products organized into three main product lines: (1) Woven Wire Mesh Partitions including Standard Duty 10-Gauge, Heavy Duty 6-Gauge, and Window Guards for security enclosures and barriers; (2) Security Folding Gates including the technology-enabled SMART Gate with smart access integration, traditional Bostwick Folding Gates, Portable Folding Gates with casters, and Scissor Folding Gates for loading docks; and (3) Storage Solutions including Expanded Metal Storage Units and In-Stock Wire Mesh Cages for equipment and tenant storage. All products are manufactured from 100% carbon neutral recycled steel at the company's Chicago facility and qualify for LEED points.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Duty 10-Gauge Woven Wire Mesh Partitions Woven wire mesh security partitions with 10-gauge wire (.135 inch diameter) and 1.5"x1.5" diamond mesh, available in heights from 7' to 23'8" with multiple post and base configurations. Designed to prohibit foot traffic and protect against break-ins and vandalism while allowing visibility and ventilation. Sold to commercial, institutional, and government buyers.
• Heavy Duty 6-Gauge Woven Wire Mesh Partitions Extra tough woven wire mesh partitions manufactured with 6-gauge wire (.192 inch diameter) and 2"x2" diamond mesh for greater security in demanding environments such as military buildings, postal distribution centers, and high security warehouses. Sold to enterprise and government security buyers.
• Window Security Guards Woven wire mesh window guards available in 10-gauge or 6-gauge with hinged or fixed mounting options. Provides window protection while maintaining visibility, ventilation, and light diffusion. Sold to commercial, institutional, and residential facilities.
• In-Stock Wire Mesh Cages Pre-fabricated wire mesh security cages (2-side, 3-side, and 4-side configurations) designed to secure valued equipment and prohibit unauthorized access. Standard Duty 10-Gauge construction with sliding door, available in 8' x 10' x 10' dimensions. Ready to ship immediately with published unit pricing. Sold to commercial and industrial buyers.
• Acorn SMART Gate Security folding gate with a smart electromagnetic access locking mechanism delivering 750 lbs of holding power. Integrates with building access control networks; supports card reader and keypad access; provides emergency egress compliance without bottom track. Sold to enterprise, government, and institutional security buyers.
• Bostwick Folding Gates Security folding gates available with fixed or folding top and bottom tracks, in single and double configurations with deep, shallow, or surface mounted storage cabinets. Accommodates corridor widths up to 38' maximum. Sold to commercial, institutional, and retail buyers for corridor and storefront security.
• Portable Folding Gates Heavy-duty steel folding gates with casters for easy portability. Expand and lock to prevent access through entryways or passageways; can be linked together for large span applications and stacked when not in use. Sold to retail, commercial, and event buyers needing flexible security barriers.
• https://acornwire.com/img/products/folding-gates/scissor/acorn-wire-scissor-folding-gates Surface mounted security gates specifically designed for loading dock applications. Available in single, double, and sectional configurations to cover most loading dock openings with interchangeable core cylinders. Sold to warehouse, distribution, and logistics facility operators.
• Expanded Metal Storage Units Expanded metal mesh storage units securing equipment and valuables while allowing light, ventilation, and fire suppression systems to work effectively. Available in 36" and 48" configurations; 90" standard height. Sold to residential buildings, schools, and commercial facilities as tenant storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products qualify for LEED credits due to 100% carbon neutral recycled steel manufacturing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments11 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)minorOthersProud member of AIA organization, indicating professional relationship with architecture community.
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)minorOthersProud member of CSI organization for construction specification professionals.
• Chicago Public SchoolsminorOthersAcorn is a direct vendor for Chicago Public Schools, enabling direct procurement of security products.
• Marks USAcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of proprietary hand-cast lock mechanism for Acorn's security products. The Acorn hand-cast lock mechanism by Marks USA is engineered and tested to withstand sledgehammer assault, providing critical security functionality.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wire Crafters: Wire Crafters is one of the largest US manufacturers of woven wire mesh partitions, security cages, and storage enclosures, directly competing with Acorn across wire mesh partition products and customer segments.
• SpaceGuard Products: SpaceGuard Products manufactures wire mesh partitions, security enclosures, and storage cages primarily for industrial and warehouse use, serving the same customer verticals (postal, military, distribution) as Acorn Wire + Iron Works.
• National Partitions: National Partitions is a Texas-based manufacturer of wire mesh partitions, security folding gates, and storage enclosures that overlaps directly with Acorn's three core product lines and similar B2B sales motion.
• General Partitions: General Partitions manufactures wire mesh partitions and folding security gates for industrial and commercial customers, directly competing with Acorn in the same security-enclosure category with comparable custom quoting models.
• Cogan Wire & Metal Products: Cogan Wire & Metal Products is a custom fabricator of wire mesh partitions, storage lockers, and architectural metalwork, serving similar institutional and commercial customers with custom-configured partitions like Acorn.
• HEMCO Industries: HEMCO Industries manufactures wire enclosures, storage cabinets, and modular cleanroom/security structures used in industrial and laboratory environments, comparable to Acorn's wire mesh partition and storage product lines.

Others

• Marks USA: Marks USA is the supplier of Acorn's proprietary hand-cast lock mechanism and a broader manufacturer of architectural-grade locksets, serving as both an integration partner and adjacent competitor in high-security locking hardware.

Broad incumbents

• Lockey: Lockey produces a broader portfolio of mechanical and electronic door security hardware including keyless locks and access-control products, overlapping with Acorn's SMART Gate access-control concept as a wider-line competitor in facility security.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/acornwire

Compliance1 record

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 Acorn Wire + Iron Works