SSK Industries
SSK Industries is a Lebanon, Ohio-based specialty distributor and factory-authorized service center, serving as the exclusive U.S. hub for CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices and the Western Hemisphere distributor for X-Shut attachment systems, serving skydivers, dropzones, the U.S. military, and tactical users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersLebanon, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SSK Industries does
SSK Industries is a privately held specialty distributor, manufacturer, and authorized service center for skydiving safety and equipment systems, founded in 1983 in Lebanon, Ohio. The company operates as the exclusive U.S. sales, service, and support center for CYPRES (Cybernetic Parachute Release System) Automatic Activation Devices (AADs) manufactured by Germany's Airtec, and as the Western Hemisphere distributor for X-Shut attachment systems produced by Germany's MS Safety. Its wholly-owned subsidiary SSK Military Industries, Inc. (established 2003) extends the company's reach into U.S. military and government procurement of validated parachuting safety equipment, supported by a dedicated military-focused website (ssk.us).
The core product portfolio centers on six CYPRES 2 AAD variants — Expert, Speed, Student, Tandem, C-Mode, and Wingsuit — priced between $1,400 and $1,550 per unit, built on proprietary electronics that monitor descent rate and altitude to automatically sever the reserve closing loop under dangerous conditions. Notable technical components include the V-cut cutter design, a 15.5-year lifetime warranty with no user-replaceable battery, dual-parameter systems for wingsuit flight phases, waterproofing to 8 feet for 24 hours, and field-configurable modes. The X-Shut product line comprises interlocking BASE and CROSS mounts, SPIDER modular arms, SNAKE flexible mounts, ELECTRO variants, and camera/GoPro accessories, with unit pricing from approximately $44 to $118. Field-replaceable cutters are priced at $290 (1-Pin) and $580 (2-Pin).
SSK operates a hybrid revenue model combining one-time hardware sales, recurring factory-authorized maintenance services ($160 per routine inspection plus return shipping, with 4-5 week turnaround), replacement parts, short-term rentals ($2/day), and a $70 trade-in credit program. Customers span recreational skydivers, commercial dropzones across the Western Hemisphere, U.S. military branches, camera videographers, and tactical/professional users in law enforcement and search and rescue. Distribution occurs through a CYPRES dealer network, direct B2B sales, the SSK Military Industries channel, on-site presence at skydiving festivals, and a dedicated service center portal at servicecenter.sskinc.com.
SSK Industries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SSK Industries
- Legal name
- SSK Industries, Inc.
- Website
- https://sskinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SSK Industries is a Lebanon, Ohio-based specialty distributor and factory-authorized service center, serving as the exclusive U.S. hub for CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices and the Western Hemisphere distributor for X-Shut attachment systems, serving skydivers, dropzones, the U.S. military, and tactical users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SSK Industries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lebanon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SSK Industries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- CYPRES AAD Sales: SSK sells CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices as the exclusive U.S. sales representative for Airtec. Products include Expert, Speed, Student, Tandem, C-Mode, and Wingsuit variants in 1-Pin and 2-Pin configurations. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with prices ranging from $1,400 to $1,550 per unit.
- X-Shut Attachment System Sales: SSK provides sales and support for X-Shut camera mount systems across the Western Hemisphere. Products include BASE, CROSS, SPIDER, SNAKE, ELECTRO mounting systems and accessories. Revenue from equipment sales with varying price points.
- CYPRES Maintenance Services: Factory-authorized maintenance and inspection services for CYPRES units. Routine inspection and maintenance costs $160 USD plus return shipping. Includes diagnostics, testing, calibration, battery replacement, filter replacement, and updates. Current turnaround time is 4-5 weeks.
- Replacement Parts and Accessories: Sales of CYPRES consumables and replacement parts including cutters ($290-$580), closing loops, loop material, filters, washers, temporary pins, silicone products, and installation kits. Also X-Shut accessories and mounting hardware.
- Rental CYPRES Units: Short-term rental program for CYPRES units at $2 USD per day plus shipping. Intended for temporary use with availability often limited. Loaner units may be provided at no charge depending on situation.
- Trade-in Program: $70 trade-in credit ($50 if cutter is activated/missing) towards purchase of new CYPRES when turning in expired unit. Units older than 16.5 years not eligible. Expired unit must be returned within 6 months of new purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Expert CYPRES 2 - Standard skydiver model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Speed CYPRES 2 - High-speed canopy piloting model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Student CYPRES 2 - Training progression model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tandem CYPRES 2 - Two-person skydiving model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | C-Mode CYPRES 2 - 4-in-1 configurable model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wingsuit CYPRES 2 - Specialized wingsuit model |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Routine Inspection & Maintenance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CYPRES Cutter Replacement |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | X-Shut Helmet Integration Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | X-Shut BASE |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | X-Shut CROSS |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | CYPRES Rental Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
SSK Industries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SSK Industries is the exclusive U.S. sales and service center for CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices (AADs), electronic safety devices that monitor descent rate and altitude to automatically cut the reserve closing loop if dangerous conditions are detected. The company also provides sales and support for X-Shut camera and equipment attachment systems across the Western Hemisphere, and operates a factory-authorized CYPRES maintenance and inspection facility in Lebanon, Ohio equipped identically to Airtec's German headquarters.
Product overview
SSK Industries is a skydiving technology company serving as the exclusive U.S. sales, service, and support center for CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices (AADs) and providing sales and support for X-Shut attachment systems. The CYPRES product line includes six distinct AAD models: Expert CYPRES 2 (general skydivers), Speed CYPRES 2 (canopy pilots), Student CYPRES 2 (new skydivers), Tandem CYPRES 2 (tandem jumps), C-Mode CYPRES 2 (changeable parameters), and Wingsuit CYPRES 2 (wingsuit-specific with dual parameter modes). The X-Shut product family comprises BASE and CROSS mounting systems, SPIDER modular arms, SNAKE flexible mounts, ELECTRO variants, and various camera/GoPro-specific accessories including Helmet Integration Kits and Hand Mounts. SSK also provides comprehensive maintenance services for CYPRES units including routine inspections, repairs, and firmware updates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Expert CYPRES 2
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 179 million jumps with CYPRES accompanied, more than 5,200 lives saved
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SSK Industries
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SSK Industries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SSK Industries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Airtec (CYPRES Manufacturer)coreAirtec is the German manufacturer of CYPRES AAD technology. SSK has been the official exclusive U.S. sales and service center since approximately 1993, following extensive independent testing. SSK maintains identical maintenance and test equipment to Airtec headquarters in Bad Wünnenberg, Germany. This partnership makes SSK one of only two global service centers worldwide.
- MS Safety (X-Shut Manufacturer)coreMS Safety is the German-based manufacturer of X-Shut attachment systems, founded by Martin Schührer in 2004. SSK provides sales and support for X-Shut products across the Western Hemisphere and beyond. X-Shut systems are used not only in skydiving but also by law enforcement, military, search and rescue, and firefighters in various applications.
- SSK Military IndustriescoreSSK Military Industries was established in 2003 as a separate entity to support military applications. The company engaged in joint testing with U.S. Army and other military branches to validate CYPRES for full military use. Supports military-specific equipment needs separate from civilian operations.
- Parachute Industry Association (PIA)minorSSK maintains membership and active involvement in PIA. Adam Schmucker serves as Vice President of PIA. SSK hosted PIA Symposium 2021 in Cincinnati. PIA logo displayed on SSK website footer.
- International Skydiving Museum & Hall of FameminorSSK maintains involvement with the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame. Adam Schmucker serves as a trustee of the museum. Museum logo displayed on SSK website footer.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SSK Industries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AAD bv (Vigil AAD): Manufacturer of the Vigil electronic AAD, the principal competing automatic activation device in skydiving. Directly comparable as an alternative safety-critical electronic device sold into the same skydiving dropzones and riggers that SSK serves through CYPRES.
- Performance Designs: Manufacturer of parachute canopies (sails) for sport and competitive skydiving. Comparable as a major skydiving safety-equipment manufacturer whose customer base (jumpers, dropzones) and event-marketing approach closely mirror SSK's go-to-market.
- Sun Path Products: Manufacturer of sport and tandem parachute harness/container systems used widely in the U.S. skydiving market. Comparable as a primary integrator/channel partner for CYPRES AADs and a peer in skydiving safety equipment distribution and rig building.
- United Parachute Technologies (UPT): Major U.S. parachute harness/container and rig systems manufacturer serving sport, tandem, and military skydiving. Comparable as a complementary skydiving safety-equipment maker whose containers interface directly with CYPRES AADs and whose customer base overlaps heavily with SSK's.
- FXC AAD / FXC Parasports: Producer of FXC AADs and supplier of skydiving accessories. Directly comparable as a competing electronic AAD manufacturer and skydiving equipment brand selling into the same end customers (dropzones and individual skydivers).
- Cookie Composites: Manufacturer of skydiving helmet, container, and accessory systems including camera-mount integration. Comparable as a skydiving equipment maker competing for the same camera-flyer and rig-builder customer wallet that X-Shut also addresses.
Broad incumbents
- GoPro: Dominant action-camera brand used by skydiving camera flyers alongside X-Shut mounts. Comparable as a vertically-integrated provider of cameras and proprietary mounting systems (GoPro mounts) competing with X-Shut for helmet, hand, and chest mounting positions.
- MS Safety: German manufacturer of the X-Shut interlocking mounting system and ParaTrack HAHO GPS device. Comparable as SSK's X-Shut principal and a specialty safety/mounting equipment maker serving skydiving, tactical, and SAR markets through SSK as its Western Hemisphere distribution partner.
- Airtec Vertriebs GmbH: German manufacturer of the CYPRES AAD and SSK's principal supplier and partner. Comparable as the originating technology owner and the second of the two global CYPRES service centers; SSK effectively operates as Airtec's exclusive Western Hemisphere extension.
Emerging players
- ParaTrack / LB Altimeters: Tactical altimeter and HAHO GPS device manufacturer in the parachuting space with overlapping military/HAHO use cases. Comparable as a specialty parachuting electronics maker where SSK has prior collaboration history through MS Safety's ParaTrack device.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SSK Industries social profiles
Digital presenceSSK Industries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SSK Industries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SSK Industries subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SSK Industries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SSK Industries 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 SSK Industries
What does SSK Industries do?
SSK Industries is the exclusive U.S. sales and service center for CYPRES Automatic Activation Devices (AADs), electronic safety devices that monitor descent rate and altitude to automatically cut the reserve closing loop if dangerous conditions are detected. The company also provides sales and support for X-Shut camera and equipment attachment systems across the Western Hemisphere, and operates a factory-authorized CYPRES maintenance and inspection facility in Lebanon, Ohio equipped identically to Airtec's German headquarters.
Is SSK Industries a public or private company?
SSK Industries is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SSK Industries founded?
SSK Industries was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SSK Industries based?
SSK Industries is headquartered in Lebanon, United States, in the North America region.
How does SSK Industries make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. CYPRES AAD Sales are the primary driver. The others are X-Shut Attachment System Sales, CYPRES Maintenance Services, replacement Parts and Accessories, rental CYPRES Units and trade-in Program.
Who are SSK Industries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AAD bv (Vigil AAD), Performance Designs, Sun Path Products, United Parachute Technologies (UPT), FXC AAD / FXC Parasports and Cookie Composites. Broad incumbents are GoPro, MS Safety and Airtec Vertriebs GmbH. ParaTrack / LB Altimeters is listed as an emerging player.
Does SSK Industries have an API?
No public API is recorded for SSK Industries.