Kakou USA

What Kakou USA does

KAKOU USA, LLC is a privately held, minority-owned U.S. contract manufacturing and automation integrator headquartered in Morristown, Tennessee, with a second facility in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2012 and ISO 9001:2015 certified since December 2018, the company operates an approximately 32-person team of designers, engineers, electricians, machinists, CNC operators, welders, and fabricators. Its service portfolio spans two reinforcing pillars: (1) precision machining and metal fabrication, supported by an in-house fleet that includes HAAS VF-series CNC mills (VF-2, VF-2D, VF-4, VF-6), HAAS GR-712 and SL-20 CNC lathes, a Smart Turn lathe, a CNC sheet/tube laser, a plasma cutter, Cincinnati 10-foot shear and brake presses, and surface grinders; and (2) automation solutions covering Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), conveyor and pallet conveyor systems, robotic cells (via its 2024 Authorized Partner and Integrator relationship with JAKA Robotics), fulfillment technologies, electric cabinet design and build, vision and data management systems, and Six Sigma-based capability studies. Notable delivered projects include an Engine Cylinder Head Conveyor, a Camry/Avalon headliner conveyor, and control panel builds with UNIPULSE loadcell and Mitsubishi PLC integration for Toyota. Adjacent offerings include machine repair/maintenance and skilled-trade staffing support.

Kakou's business model is project-based, custom-quote manufacturing rather than catalog or SaaS: every engagement begins with a quote-driven engineering consultation initiated through phone, email, or a website contact form, with no public price list or e-commerce channel. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeted at manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, and automotive OEM/Tier 1 customers, supported by organic marketing on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, a website content/blog presence, and an email newsletter. Geographic scope is the Southeast USA, served through two locations totaling roughly 34,100+ square feet that combine offices, machining/welding bays, and large-format assembly areas suitable for full equipment builds.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by one-time equipment build and machining/fabrication services, supplemented by recurring repair-and-service contracts and staffing support engagements, all structured around customer-specific requirements. The company signals scale with 204 completed jobs and 90+ clients cited on its About page, plus a self-reported 5-star rating. Differentiators combine craft talent (a marketed collective 50+ years of team experience), capital intensity (extensive HAAS-equipped floor space), and regulatory/certification positioning (ISO 9001:2015 plus NMSDC/Tristate Minority status that qualifies it for enterprise and government procurement). Owner/President Jon Bennett leads the firm, which remains privately held with no disclosed external equity or debt funding.

Name

Kakou USA

Legal name

KAKOU USA, LLC

Website

https://kakouusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kakou USA is a privately held, minority-owned U.S. contract manufacturer and automation integrator providing CNC machining, metal fabrication, custom equipment build, ASRS, conveyor systems, and JAKA collaborative robot integration for manufacturing, warehouse, and automotive OEM customers across the Southeast USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Morristown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Design and Build: Custom equipment design, fabrication, and full machine building from concept to completion with production drawings
2. Machining and Fabrication Services: CNC machining, welding, fabrication, and precision grinding services for industrial applications
3. Staffing Support: Providing skilled workforce including machinists, welders, fabricators, and CNC operators
4. Machine Building: Complete machine design and build services with detailed production drawings
5. Electric Cabinet Design and Build: Custom electric cabinet design, build, and integration services
6. Repair and Service: Repair and service on machines to ensure operational continuity

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kakou USA provides industrial machining, custom fabrication, and automation services, including CNC machining, metal fabrication, machine building, electric cabinet design, and equipment design/build for manufacturers, automotive customers, and warehouse/distribution operators. The company also delivers automation solutions such as ASRS, conveyor systems, robotics integration, and fulfillment technologies, supported by capability studies and on-site staffing.

Product overview

Kakou USA is a small privately owned minority business providing comprehensive manufacturing and automation solutions. The company offers a multi-faceted service portfolio centered around two core offerings: (1) Machining and Fabrication Services including CNC machining, manual machining, welding, and metal fabrication, supported by an extensive equipment fleet of HAAS CNC machines, lathes, mills, grinders, brake presses, shears, plasma and laser cutters; and (2) Automation Solutions featuring Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), conveyor systems, robotics integration (as an authorized JAKA Robotics integrator), fulfillment technologies, and vision/data management systems. Additional services include machine building, electric cabinet design and build, equipment design and build, capability studies (Six Sigma), repair services, staffing support, and installation/training. The company operates from facilities in Lexington, KY and Morristown, TN with collective 50+ years of experience among their team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 Star Rating from customers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JAKA RoboticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Kakou USA is an Authorized Partner and Integrator with JAKA Robotics, a high-tech company founded in 2014 specializing in collaborative robots (cobots) and smart factory solutions. JAKA stands for 'Just Always Keep Amazing' and has made innovative breakthroughs in drive control integration, integral joints, free-drive programming, and wireless connection technologies.
• Nichigo G-TapeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnovative pressure-sensitive tape that is hand tearable with no residue, made from polyethylene based flat yarn substrate with higher tensile strength than conventional gaffer or duct tapes. Used in automotive, marine, aviation, entertainment, and construction industries.
• Swiss Precision Instruments (SPI)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 50 years providing measuring tools, optical tools, machine tool and shop accessories to the metalworking industry. 432-page catalog featuring quality, value, and fast delivery.
• ECOAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer of ergonomic lift equipment including Scissor Lift Tables, Tilt Tables, Hydraulic Lifts, and Custom Lifts with capacities from 500 lbs to 120,000 lbs.
• Mighty Line Floor TapeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDurable safety floor tapes, floor signs, 5S floor markings, and industrial floor tape products for warehouses. Patented one-floor marking product for 5S environments.
• Amigo Mobility InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPowered material handling carts for injury prevention and workplace safety. Diverse product line suitable for industrial, commercial, and hospitality environments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Genesis Systems (Genesis Motion Tech): US-based robotic systems integrator specializing in custom robotic welding, material handling and automated production lines — comparable in scope (custom machinery, robotic cells, conveyors) with a stronger national installed base than Kakou.
• ATS Automation Tooling Systems: Global automation integrator building custom production-line equipment, conveyors and robotic cells for industrial OEMs — directly comparable to Kakou's Equipment Design & Build and Machine Building offerings, but at multi-billion-dollar scale and global footprint.
• JR Automation Technologies: Large US custom automation integrator owned by Hitachi, serving automotive, aerospace and industrial OEMs with turnkey robotic cells and material handling systems — same end customers and build scope as Kakou but at national scale and far broader engineering headcount.
• Stäubli Robotics: Global robotics and automation provider offering cobots, SCARA and 6-axis robots plus integration services for industrial OEMs — broader portfolio that competes for the same robotic integration scope Kakou delivers with JAKA cobots.

Direct peers

• Concept Systems Inc: US systems integrator building custom automated machinery, robotic cells and material handling for industrial manufacturers — overlapping scope with Kakou's equipment design/build and robotic integration services.
• Acieta: Mid-market US custom automation integrator focused on robotic cells, material handling and flexible automation for manufacturers — closely comparable to Kakou's ASRS, conveyor and JAKA cobot integration offering at similar mid-tier scale.
• RōBEX: Midwest US integrator of robotic cells, custom automation and material handling equipment for manufacturers — same custom-machine-building and robotic-integration business model as Kakou at a comparable regional size.
• Midwest Engineered Systems: US integrator delivering custom automation, robotic cells, CNC machining and assembly systems to industrial OEMs — comparable service mix to Kakou across machine building, fabrication and controls, with similar-size engineering headcount.

Others

• JAKA Robotics: China-based collaborative robot manufacturer of which Kakou is an Authorized Partner/Integrator — included as a technology partner whose product roadmap directly shapes Kakou's cobot integration offering.
• Haas Automation: Major US CNC machine tool OEM whose equipment (VF-series mills, GR grinders, SL lathes) forms the backbone of Kakou's in-house machining fleet — comparable as the dominant supplier defining the CNC platform Kakou runs.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/share/bMsQD91sT6o6zqii/?mibextid=qi2Omg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kakouusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/kakouusaofficial?igsh=OGMzdDdqZ2xvd3Y5

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Kakou USA