What Advanced Structural Technologies does

Advanced Structural Technologies (AST Inc.) is a U.S. structural engineering consulting firm founded in 2002 by John Levar and Dave Buchanan in Edina, Minnesota. The firm delivers three integrated core services: structural engineering consulting, Building Information Modeling (BIM) services, and steel detailing using Tekla Structures at LOD 400 fidelity. AST positions itself as an early pioneer in BIM and direct-to-manufacture workflows, targeting complex design-build and fast-track projects where coordination between design intent and fabrication drives schedule and cost outcomes. Its customer base spans cold-storage operators and major grocers, industrial and manufacturing clients (including structural design supporting ASRS systems from Witron, Ocado, and Swisslog/AutoStore), design-build contractors, national retailers, multi-family and senior-living developers, distribution and warehouse developers, and federal entities including the VA National Cemetery Administration (delivered with a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned partner). The firm reports thousands of completed projects across 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian Provinces, and counts Ryan Companies, Welsh Architecture, Weitz Company, Ryan A+E, and DBS Group among its named enterprise clients.

AST's business model is project-based professional services revenue from structural engineering engagements, with pricing determined per engagement by scope, complexity, and timeline. Distribution is direct enterprise sales—no resellers, marketplaces, or self-serve channels—with project delivery handled by in-house engineering teams. The firm markets minimally through its website (asteng.com) and LinkedIn, relying primarily on reputation and repeat relationships within the design-build construction ecosystem. On July 1, 2026, AST merged with Bennett & Pless, becoming a division of the firm while retaining its brand identity, and gaining access to Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas operations along with a first Midwest office presence for Bennett & Pless.

Name

Advanced Structural Technologies

Legal name

AST Inc.

Website

https://asteng.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Advanced Structural Technologies is a U.S. structural engineering consultancy delivering integrated structural, BIM, and steel detailing services for design-build, cold-storage, industrial-automation, and commercial clients across 49 states and 5 Canadian provinces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Structural Engineering Services: Project-based professional services revenue from structural engineering consulting, from conceptual planning through construction on new and existing structures.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) is a structural engineering consulting firm that provides professional engineering services spanning conceptual planning through construction on new and existing structures. The firm delivers three integrated core offerings—Structural Engineering, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Steel Detailing (via Tekla Structures LOD 400 models)—serving design-build and fast-track commercial, industrial, cold storage, distribution, and government projects across North America.

Product overview

Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) offers a unified suite of structural engineering services organized around three core offerings: Structural Services, BIM Services, and Steel Detailing. These services are designed to work in concert—structural engineers collaborate directly with the steel detailing team to deliver well-integrated and coordinated designs. AST specializes in design-build and fast-track project delivery, serving clients throughout the United States and Canada. As of 2026, AST operates as a division of Bennett & Pless.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Structural Engineering Services Comprehensive structural engineering consulting from conceptual planning through construction on new and existing structures, with specialized expertise in design-build and fast-track projects for commercial, industrial, cold storage, retail, distribution, and government clients across North America.
• BIM Services Building Information Modeling (BIM) services including custom modeling, virtual design collaboration, stakeholder virtual tours, multi-system collision detection, virtual QC, and fabrication model review. Enables direct-to-manufacture processes for design-build and fast-track clients.
• Steel Detailing Steel detailing services using Tekla Structures to develop comprehensive LOD 400 models, 2D and 3D connection data, erection drawings, shop and fabrication drawings, and single part drawings. Includes value-added services such as preliminary material lists reports and check-ready steel detailing packages for fabricator handoff.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cold storage facilities designed range from 10,000 to 1,200,000 sqft
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bennett & PlesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026AST merged with Bennett & Pless, a structural engineering firm, expanding geographic presence across North America. This merger establishes Bennett & Pless' first office in the Midwest and combines AST's expertise in BIM, steel detailing, and construction-focused consulting with Bennett & Pless' existing operations across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas.
• WitroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAST designs structures for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) for Witron, one of the most prominent automation vendors in the United States.
• OcadocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAST designs structures for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) for Ocado, a leading automation vendor in the United States.
• Swisslog/AutoStorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAST designs structures for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) for Swisslog/AutoStore, a prominent automation vendor in the United States.
• Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Engineering PartnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAST works in concert with a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned engineering partner to provide design for National Cemeteries throughout the country, including administration buildings, maintenance facilities, memorial walls, and columbaria.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-structural-technologies-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Advanced Structural Technologies