What O'Keeffe's does

O'Keeffe's Inc. is a privately held, US-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial fixed aluminum ladders, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Brisbane, California, with state-of-the-art production facilities in Merced, California. The company designs, engineers, and fabricates three core product families — Fixed Access Ladders (models 500-504), Ship Ladders (520-523A at 60° and 75°), and Cage Ladders (531-534) — plus custom aluminum stairs, platforms, catwalks, and ramps, and a full line of safety and mounting accessories. Products are built from 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 aluminum alloys with stainless steel hardware, use a patented deeply serrated square rung design for foot traction, and are certified to OSHA and ANSI A14.3 standards.

O'Keeffe's operates as one of three divisions under the O'Keeffe's Inc. umbrella, alongside wholly-owned affiliate SAFTI (fire-rated glass and framing) and Titan Metal Products (specialty metal doors and frames). Customers are architects, specifiers, contractors, and facility managers across verticals including food and beverage processing, water treatment, marine/waterfront, education, hospitality, and general commercial/industrial construction.

The business model is sales-led and project-based: a three-region US sales team (Western, Central, Eastern) issues custom quotes on inside-sales and field-sales motions, with a dedicated contract administration function supporting specification, submittal, and order management. Revenue is one-time at the point of project delivery (no recurring or subscription component), pricing is quote-based, and the company supports its sales motion with marketing channels targeted at architects, including a free BIM/Revit library on BIMsmith, an AIA-registered continuing education course, and an educational 'Ladder Learnings' video series. The company is owned by Bill O'Keeffe (Owner and President), with Catherine Masuda serving as Chief Executive Officer.

Name

O'Keeffe's

Legal name

O'Keeffe's Inc.

Website

https://okeeffes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

O'Keeffe's is a US manufacturer of commercial and industrial fixed aluminum ladders, custom stairs, platforms, catwalks, and ramps, founded in 1939 and serving architects, specifiers, and facility managers across food/beverage, marine, water treatment, and general construction verticals via a quote-based, regional direct-sales model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial and Industrial Fixed Aluminum Ladders

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232)

SIC

Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)

akta.pro primary industry

Steel Grating, Catwalks & Safety Platforms (IMADACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Aluminum Plate/Extrusions & Lightweight Structures (IMAJAKAB)

Keywords

• Fixed aluminum ladders
• Commercial access ladders
• Ship ladders
• Cage ladders
• Custom aluminum fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Aluminum Ladder Sales: One-time product sales of custom fabricated aluminum ladders, platforms, catwalks, ramps, stairs, and accessories. Products are permanently attached to buildings or structures. Quote-based pricing with no recurring revenue model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

O'Keeffe's designs, engineers, and manufactures commercial and industrial fixed aluminum ladders, ship ladders, cage ladders, custom aluminum stairs, platforms, catwalks, and ramps, along with related safety accessories. All products are USA-made in Merced, CA from lightweight, high-strength 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 aluminum with stainless steel hardware, featuring a patented deeply serrated square rung for maximum foot traction and meeting OSHA and ANSI standards.

Product overview

O'Keeffe's is a leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial fixed aluminum ladders, platforms, crossovers, ramps, catwalks, stairs and related safety accessories. Founded in 1939, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of ladder products organized into three main categories: Fixed Access Ladders (models 500-504 including standard duty and heavy-duty tubular/channel rail configurations), Ship Ladders (models 520-523A available in 60° and 75° angles for docks, platforms, and crossover applications), and Cage Ladders (models 531-534 for roof access in hazardous locations). The product line also includes custom-fabricated aluminum stairs, platforms, catwalks, and ramps, along with essential safety accessories such as landing platforms, safety posts, security doors, fall arrest systems, and various mounting brackets. All products are made with lightweight, high-strength aluminum with stainless steel hardware, featuring patented deeply serrated square rungs for maximum foot traction. The company operates from manufacturing facilities in Merced, CA and serves the architectural, construction, and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAFTI: Fire rated glass and framing division
• Titan Metal Products

Products and services

• Fixed Access Ladders
• Ship Ladders
• Cage Ladders
• Custom Aluminum Stairs
• Custom Aluminum Platforms and Catwalks
• Custom Aluminum Ramps
• 500 Access Ladder Standard duty channel rail fixed access ladder providing low-cost roof or mezzanine access for commercial and industrial buildings.
• 501 Access Ladder Heavy duty tubular rail fixed aluminum access ladder recommended for heights over 15 feet or when a security door is required.
• 502 Access Ladder Tubular rail low parapet access ladder with roofover rail extensions for flat or low parapet roof access.
• 503 Access Ladder Tubular rail high parapet access ladder with platform and return for exterior ladder parapet access.
• 503A Access Ladder Tubular rail low parapet access ladder with platform only.
• 504 Access Ladder Tubular rail low parapet access ladder with walk through rail extensions.
• 520 Ship Ladder Ship ladder available in 75° standard angle for basic ship ladder applications such as accessing docks, decks, platforms, and mezzanines.
• 520A Ship Ladder Ship ladder available in 60° standard angle for applications requiring a shallower climb, such as accessing docks, decks, platforms, and mezzanines.
• 521 Ship Ladder Ship ladder with platform at 75° angle for roof or mezzanine access in commercial and industrial buildings.
• 521A Ship Ladder Ship ladder with platform at 60° angle for roof or mezzanine access in commercial and industrial buildings.
• 522 Ship Ladder Ship ladder with platform and return at 75° for roof-to-roof or crossover access over pipes, ducts, and equipment.
• 522A Ship Ladder Ship ladder with platform and return at 60° for roof-to-roof or crossover access over pipes, ducts, and equipment.
• 523 Ship Ladder Ship ladder with access to roof hatch at 75° for interior roof or floor hatch access.
• 523A Ship Ladder Ship ladder with access to roof hatch at 60°, available with 30" x 54" roof hatch by O'Keeffe's.
• 531 Cage Ladder Standard cage ladder providing easy roof and mezzanine access, elevator pit and manhole access, and door/wall hatch access.
• 532 Cage Ladder Low parapet access cage ladder with roofover rail extensions for flat or low parapet roof access.
• 533 Cage Ladder High parapet access cage ladder with platform and return for exterior parapet access.
• 533A Cage Ladder Low parapet access cage ladder with platform and no return for exterior access to docks, decks, platforms and mezzanines with no existing handrails.
• 534 Cage Ladder Low parapet cage ladder with walk-through rail extensions providing easy ladder-to-roof access to flat or low parapet roofs, recommended for high or hazardous locations.
• Landing Platform Used for switching from one ladder to another when offset to go around obstructions or as a resting place in long climbs. OSHA requires landings for climbs longer than 50 feet.
• Ladder Safety Post Provides the climber with something to hold on to as they pull themselves through the hatch. Available in Safety Yellow and Galvanized finishes for ladder models 500, 501, and 531.
• Seismic Bracket Allows for 1 inch of movement, supplied when local jurisdiction requires or when ship ladder is between two separate buildings or crosses an expansion joint. Available for all ship ladders.
• Security Door Prevents unauthorized access to the ladder for security purposes. Standard widths include 18-3/8 inches and 24 inches. Available for fixed access models 501, 502, 503, 503A, 504 and all cage ladders.
• Rail and Harness Fall Arrest System Cable-based system with a shuttle that connects to worker's harness D-ring, moving with the worker as they climb. OSHA requires ladder safety devices if total climb exceeds 24 feet.
• Floor Mounted Bracket (Standard) Standard mounting bracket used to attach the ladder securely to the floor. Included with all ladders.
• Off Floor Mounting Bracket Alternate to standard floor mounting bracket when obstructions prohibit ladder attachment to floor; ladder is attached securely to wall instead.
• Extended Intermediate Bracket For ladders with a backset beyond the standard 7 inches up to 18 inches.
• Additional Intermediate Bracket Provided every 10 feet to anchor the ladder securely to the wall.

Quantifiable outcome

• OSHA and ANSI compliance ensures workplace safety and regulatory adherence
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• BIMsmithcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with BIMsmith provides free cloud platform for architects to research, compare, and download O'Keeffe's Revit/BIM files. One-time registration is free with dedicated Revit/BIM support.
• SAFTI (Safety and Fire Tech)flagshipOthersAffiliate company - vertically integrated, single source fire rated glass and framing manufacturer in the USA. Located at 100 N Hill Dr, Ste 12, Brisbane, CA 94005. Phone: 888.653.3333.
• Titan Metal ProductsflagshipOthersAffiliate company - leading manufacturer of specialty metal doors and frames. Located at 1891 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, CA 95341. Phone: 866.848.2667.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA)minorOthersProud supporter of AIA and other national and local industry organizations.
• Construction Specification Institute (CSI)minorOthersProud supporter of CSI and other national and local industry organizations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lapeyre Stair: Manufacturer of alternating tread (ship) stairs and specialty access products for industrial and commercial use. Competes directly in O'Keeffe's ship-ladder and steep-angle access category.
• Cotterman Company: US-based manufacturer of fixed and mobile metal ladders, work platforms, and access equipment serving industrial and commercial facilities. Directly comparable product portfolio, channel, and customer base as O'Keeffe's.
• Precision Ladders: Specialty manufacturer of fixed aluminum ladders, ship ladders, and cage ladders for industrial, marine, and architectural applications. Closest product overlap with O'Keeffe's, including aluminum fixed-access and ship-ladder categories.
• The Bilco Company: Established US manufacturer of roof hatches, smoke vents, and fixed-ladder access products for commercial and industrial buildings. Comparable architectural specification channel and code-driven compliance positioning to O'Keeffe's.
• Babcock-Davis: Manufacturer of building access products including roof hatches, floor doors, smoke vents, and fixed ladders. Comparable architectural specification channel and overlapping categories with O'Keeffe's access systems.
• Alaco Ladder Company: US manufacturer of aluminum fixed and ship ladders as well as access platforms. Closely comparable niche aluminum ladder product line to O'Keeffe's, with overlap in commercial and architectural projects.
• Tri-Arc / Intercon Products: Manufacturer of fixed ladders, rolling ladders, platforms, and access structures for industrial facilities. Comparable channel (direct industrial sales) and overlapping end-product categories as O'Keeffe's.

Broad incumbents

• Werner Co: Large US ladder and access equipment maker with a broad residential, commercial, and industrial ladder portfolio. Overlaps O'Keeffe's product category but competes primarily on volume and channel breadth rather than architectural specification.
• C.R. Laurence (CRL): Major supplier of architectural metals, glazing, and access hardware to commercial construction. Comparable architectural specification channel and product adjacency (architectural metalwork), but broader and more diversified than O'Keeffe's.
• 3M Fall Protection (formerly Capital Safety / Honeywell Miller): Global incumbent in worker-at-height fall protection including ladder safety systems and harness-based climbing equipment referenced in O'Keeffe's accessory lineup. Represents the adjacent incumbent that brackets the worker-safety specification conversation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OKeeffesLadders
• Facebookfacebook.com/OkeeffesLadders

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 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 O'Keeffe's