Ash Air

What Ash Air does

Ash Air is a New Zealand-based industrial equipment specialist operating under Exlair (NZ) Limited, headquartered in Rosedale, Auckland. Founded in 1979, the company distributes and services compressed air systems, vacuum pumps, and industrial gas generation equipment (nitrogen and oxygen) across a nationwide network. Its product portfolio spans piston compressors (single phase, three phase, petrol), rotary screw compressors (oil-injected and Class Zero oil-free, including ALUP OF Series 20-220 HP units), full vacuum pump categories (claw, liquid ring, rotary vane, screw, scroll, side channel blowers, boosters), and on-site gas generation (membrane and PSA nitrogen generators, oxygen generators, high-pressure nitrogen skids from Pneumatech). Core principals include Atlas Copco (vacuum solutions), Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, and Pneumatech, with AIRnet aluminium piping as a complementary proprietary-feel system.

Revenue is generated through five streams: equipment sales (one-time), service and maintenance agreements (recurring, multi-year with 5-year warranty options), parts and consumables (oil filters, separators, lubricants, service kits), hire fleet and leasing (subscription), and energy audits / optimization professional services. GTM is sales-led, combining a nationwide direct sales and service network (0800 ASH AIR, live chat, product enquiry forms) with a 172+ SKU e-commerce online shop that includes Afterpay installment payments, free shipping promotions, and a trade-in offer program.

Ash Air serves a hybrid customer mix across five named segments: Industrial/Manufacturing and Professional Workshops as primary segments, with Home Use/DIY, Onsite/Portable (construction, agriculture, mining), and Food & Beverage as secondary segments. Visible enterprise references include Fisher & Paykel Appliances and Air New Zealand Engineering, both citing multi-year service relationships. The company differentiates through an all-brands service network (24/7 breakdown support regardless of equipment brand), proprietary optimization products (ICONS remote monitoring, Econtrol6 central controllers, Energy Box, Airtube App), energy efficiency expertise (VSD technology delivering reported 35% energy cost reduction, AIRnet delivering 70% installation time savings), and 45+ years of brand presence in the New Zealand market.

Name

Ash Air

Legal name

Exlair (NZ) Limited

Website

https://ashair.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ash Air is a New Zealand industrial equipment specialist (est. 1979) distributing and servicing compressed air compressors, vacuum pumps, and on-site nitrogen/oxygen generators nationwide under principals Atlas Copco, Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, and Pneumatech, with recurring service agreements and an e-commerce channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Compressed Air and Vacuum Equipment

NAICS

Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912), Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAHANAF

Process Gas & High-Pressure Compressors

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Pumps & Compressors (Fluid & Gas Handling)

SECONDARYIMAHANAG

Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Pumps & Compressors (Fluid & Gas Handling)

SECONDARYIMAHANAD

Vacuum Pumps & Systems

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Pumps & Compressors (Fluid & Gas Handling)

Keywords

• Industrial air compressors
• Vacuum pump solutions
• Nitrogen gas generators
• Compressed air systems
• Air compressor servicing

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of air compressors, vacuum pumps, nitrogen generators, air tools, and accessories through both online shop and direct sales. Products range from consumer/DIY units to industrial-scale equipment.
2. Service and Maintenance: Nationwide service network offering maintenance, repairs, breakdown recovery, emergency air supply, installation, and pipe work solutions. Includes service agreements and preventative maintenance programs.
3. Parts and Consumables: Sale of original parts including oil filters, separators, lubricants, service kits, and line filters for compressors and vacuum pumps.
4. Hire Fleet and Leasing: Rental and leasing solutions for compressors and related equipment, providing flexibility for customers with temporary or variable needs.
5. Energy Audits and Optimization: Leak detection services, energy audits, and optimization products (ICONS, Energy Box, Econtrol6) to improve customer efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ash Air supplies and services industrial compressed air, vacuum, and on-site industrial gas generation systems across New Zealand. Its offering spans the sale of piston and rotary screw compressors (including oil-free and VSD variants), vacuum pumps (claw, liquid ring, rotary vane, screw, scroll, booster), and nitrogen/oxygen gas generators, supported by air treatment equipment, pneumatic tools, and a nationwide service network providing installation, maintenance, energy audits, and 24/7 breakdown recovery.

Product overview

Ash Air is a New Zealand-based industrial equipment distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of compressed air, vacuum, and industrial gas solutions. The product range includes piston and rotary screw air compressors (powered by brands like ALUP, Chicago Pneumatic, and Atlas Copco), vacuum pumps and blowers (claw, liquid ring, rotary vane, screw, scroll, and booster types), and nitrogen/oxygen gas generators (membrane, PSA, and high-pressure skid systems). These core products are complemented by air treatment equipment (dryers, filters, piping systems), pneumatic air tools, and maintenance accessories (oils, service kits). The portfolio also includes optimization and monitoring solutions such as ICONS (Intelligent Connectivity System), Econtrol6 central controllers, Airtube App, and Energy Box for remote monitoring and energy management. The company provides nationwide service, installation, and maintenance support across New Zealand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Piston Air Compressors Single phase, three phase, and petrol-powered piston compressors for applications ranging from home/DIY use to professional workshops.
• Rotary Screw Air Compressors Industrial-grade rotary screw compressors in Below 50HP, Above 50HP, and Oil-Free variants for continuous-duty commercial and industrial applications.
• Mobile Compressors Portable air compressors designed for on-site and mobile applications across construction, agriculture, mining, and remote operations.
• Vacuum Pumps and Blowers Industrial vacuum pumps including claw pumps (fixed speed and VSD+), Atlas Copco liquid ring pumps, dry and oil-sealed rotary vane pumps, dry and oil-sealed screw vacuum pumps, side channel blowers, and dry vacuum booster and scroll pumps.
• Nitrogen and Oxygen Gas Generators On-site industrial gas generation systems including oxygen generators, membrane nitrogen generators, PSA nitrogen generators, and high-pressure nitrogen skids (Pneumatech) for laser cutting and industrial applications.
• Compressed Air Dryers and Treatment Refrigerated, desiccant, and breathing air dryers for removing moisture from compressed air systems, including AIRnet aluminium piping and line filters for compressed air distribution.
• Chicago Pneumatic Pneumatic Air Tools Full range of pneumatic air tools including grinders, sanders, impact wrenches, drills, ratchets, percussive tools, staplers, brad nailers, and specialty cutting tools, primarily sold through the Online Shop.
• Compressor and Vacuum Pump Services (Nationwide) Comprehensive nationwide services including hire fleet, leasing, leak detection, energy audits, breakdown recovery, installation, vacuum pump service, and preventative maintenance under tailored service agreements with up to 5-year warranties.
• ICONS Intelligent Connectivity System Remote monitoring and data analytics system for compressed air systems that delivers insights to computer, tablet, or smartphone, predicts failures, and measures overall machine health.
• Econtrol6 Central Controllers Central control system for managing multiple compressors and optimizing overall system performance.
• Energy Box Energy monitoring and optimization device for compressed air systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Airtube App Mobile application for monitoring and controlling compressed air systems from a smartphone.
• Original Parts and Consumables Original compressor parts including oil filters, separators, compressor lubricants (e.g., ALTAIR piston oil), line filters, and compressor service kits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% average energy cost reduction through variable speed drive technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atlas CopcocoreTechnology or IntegrationAtlas Copco is a primary supplier of vacuum pump solutions, including liquid ring pumps and GHS VSD+ oil sealed rotary screw vacuum pumps. Ash Air represents Atlas Copco Vacuum Solutions in New Zealand, positioning them as a leading provider in the vacuum market.
• Chicago PneumaticcoreTechnology or IntegrationChicago Pneumatic supplies a wide range of air compressors and air tools sold through Ash Air's online shop and direct sales. Ash Air offers free shipping on Chicago Pneumatic products. Products include piston compressors, impact wrenches, grinders, sanders, and other air tools.
• ALUPcoreTechnology or IntegrationALUP supplies industrial compressors including oil-free variable speed drive compressors (OF Series 20-220 HP range) and Evoluto oil injected screw compressors. Ash Air offers complete ALUP compressed air solutions from compressor to dryer, filters, receivers, and piping.
• PneumatechcoreTechnology or IntegrationPneumatech provides nitrogen and oxygen gas generators including membrane and PSA nitrogen generators, and high-pressure nitrogen skids. Ash Air promotes Pneumatech Industrial Gases for on-site nitrogen production to replace bulk gas purchases.
• AIRnetcoreTechnology or IntegrationAIRnet aluminium piping system is Ash Air's proprietary/complementary solution for compressed air distribution. AIRnet reportedly saves 70% on installation time compared to traditional piping systems.
• AfterpayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAfterpay provides interest-free payment plan functionality integrated into Ash Air's e-commerce shop, allowing customers to pay in four equal installments. This payment option is available for both online and in-store purchases.
• KohlercoreTechnology or IntegrationKohler supplies petrol motors for the SF302 KOHLER 6.5HP 50L cast iron petrol air compressor, providing the engine power for mobile/onsite compressed air solutions.
• HondacoreTechnology or IntegrationHonda supplies GX 160 4-Stroke engines for the Chicago Pneumatic 5.5HP twin tank petrol air compressor, powering portable compressor units for demanding work conditions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 Ash Air