Air-Hydraulics

What Air-Hydraulics does

Air-Hydraulics, Inc. is a Jackson, Michigan-based manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic powered assembly press equipment that has operated for over 75 years as a privately held corporation within the Miller Family of Companies. The company designs and builds industrial presses spanning 150 lb to 50 tons of force capacity, organized into three core technology categories: pneumatic air presses (A-Series and AP-Series, including the legacy Black & Webster AP-Series), air-over-oil hydropneumatic presses (C-Series and AH-Series) that use compressed shop air to intensify hydraulic oil and deliver hydraulic-level force without pumps, motors, or high-voltage electricity, and full hydraulic presses (SH-Series and HP-Series) for applications lacking shop air. Supporting products include the SIG-Series data-enabled air-over-oil press with force/distance monitoring, Z-Series and Black & Webster Electropunch impact hammers, Protectoswitch safety switches, rotary index tables, and B/AH-Series air-over-oil intensifying cylinders. The company also offers custom press design, modification, and turnkey automation integration services with PLC controls, custom fixturing, light curtains, and process monitoring.

Name

Air-Hydraulics

Legal name

Air-Hydraulics, Inc.

Website

https://airhydraulics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Air-Hydraulics is a Jackson, Michigan-based manufacturer of pneumatic, air-over-oil, and hydraulic assembly presses (150 lb to 50 tons) serving industrial manufacturing with standard equipment and custom design services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Press Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing (333995)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Pneumatic Components (FRLs, Cylinders, Valves) (IMAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydraulic Components (Pumps, Motors, Cylinders) (IMAHAGAA), Filtration, Condition Monitoring & Fluid Management (Filters, Breathers, Oil Analysis, Cooling) (IMAHAGAL), Proportional & Servo Hydraulics (Electrohydraulic Valves, Servo Systems) (IMAHAGAF)

Keywords

• Pneumatic assembly presses
• Air-over-oil presses
• Hydropneumatic press technology
• Industrial press manufacturing
• Custom press engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Press Equipment Sales: Manufacturing and selling pneumatic, air-over-oil, and hydraulic powered assembly press equipment ranging from 150 lb to 50 tons force capacity. Standard models and custom-designed presses.
2. Custom Press Design & Engineering: Custom press design services modifying standard production presses with safety options, control packages, monitoring equipment, and turnkey automation systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Air-Hydraulics manufactures and sells pneumatic, air-over-oil/hydropneumatic, and hydraulic powered assembly press equipment ranging from 150 lb to 50 tons of force capacity for industrial manufacturing, metal joining, and metalworking operations. The company also offers complementary impact hammers, rotary index tables, safety switches, intensifying cylinders, and SIG-Series data-enabled presses with force/distance monitoring, alongside custom press design and engineering services with turnkey automation integration. Products are sold direct to industrial manufacturers via quote-based sales and direct shipping from the Jackson, Michigan facility.

Product overview

Air-Hydraulics is a manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic powered assembly press equipment serving industrial manufacturing for over 75 years. The product portfolio consists of three core press categories (pneumatic air presses, air-over-oil/hydropneumatic presses, and full hydraulic presses) supplemented by force monitoring technology, impact hammers, rotary index tables, safety switches, and intensifying cylinders. The A-Series and AP-Series (Black & Webster) are pneumatic presses ranging from 150 lb to 2.5 tons. The C-Series and AH-Series are air-over-oil presses ranging from 2.5 to 50 tons, with the AH-Series featuring hydropneumatic technology for high-force applications. The SH-Series and HP-Series are full hydraulic presses from 2.5 to 50 tons. The SIG-Series adds force and distance monitoring capability to air-over-oil presses. Supporting products include Z-Series and Electropunch (Black & Webster) impact hammers, rotary index tables, Protectoswitch safety switches, and B/AH-Series intensifying cylinders. All presses support custom modifications and the company offers design engineering services for turnkey automation systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Black & Webster Electropunch: Electric impact hammers originally manufactured by Black & Webster, acquired by Air-Hydraulics in 1990. Product line includes Model C, Model FJS, Model BS, Model SMS, and Model JS electric impact hammers delivering 3,500-15,000 lbs of impact force.
• Protectoswitch

Products and services

• A-Series Adjustable Air Press Benchtop pneumatic air press available in three models (12-A, 28-A, 50-A) ranging from 1/2 ton to 2.5 ton capacity. Features full cylinder head adjustment, anti-rotation ram guide, and two-hand safety controls. Designed for manufacturing production and assembly operations.
• AP-Series Pneumatic Air Press (Black & Webster) Compact, highly accurate benchtop air press ranging from 150 lb to 1 ton capacity. Features rugged cast iron frame, non-rotation ram guide, and adjustable stroke requiring no lubrication. Originally manufactured by Black & Webster, acquired by Air-Hydraulics in 1990.
• C-Series Air Over Oil Press C-Series air-hydraulic press available in four sizes (C-250 through C-500) ranging from 2.5 ton to 15 ton capacity. Features full-length hydraulic controlled power stroke, adjustable downstop, and operates using factory air supply as a cost-effective alternative to full hydraulic presses.
• AH-Series Hydropneumatic Press AH-Series hydropneumatic press delivers 4 to 50 tons of force using factory air supply. Features rapid low-force approach stroke with self-contained hydraulic intensified power stroke (.500 hydraulic intensified power stroke within 6.0 overall stroke). Available in six models from AH4L-CF to AH50L-CF.
• SH-Series Compact Hydraulic Press SH-Series compact hydraulic press delivers up to 15 tons of force in space-saving design. Available in three models (SH-250, SH-300, SH-500) with self-contained 240V/480V 3-phase hydraulic power unit and air/oil heat exchanger.
• HP-Series Full Hydraulic Press HP-Series is a fully integrated standalone hydraulic press utilizing pressure compensating hydraulic power unit and Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller. Available in six models from 20 to 50 tons capacity with C-frame floor design.
• SIG-Series Force & Distance Monitoring Press SIG-Series data-enabled air-over-oil presses combine C-Series press capabilities with force and distance monitoring technology. Features compression load cell, linear position transducer, and integrated touchscreen color monitor providing real-time pass/fail feedback, waveforms, histograms, and part history. Available in 2.5 to 15 ton models.
• Rotary Index Tables Pneumatic rotary index tables available in three sizes: 7-inch (Model 794), 10-inch (Model 1092), and 15-inch (Model 1581). Feature positive shot pin locking mechanism with up to 600 lb load capacity and +/- 0.001 inch accuracy. Used for automated part positioning in machining and assembly operations.
• Z-Series Pneumatic Impact Hammer Z-Series fully pneumatic impact hammer delivers 6 to 20 tons of instantaneous adjustable force. Features constant stroke with adjustable pressure, 60 strokes per minute capacity, and adjustable daylight opening. Available in Z-2 (6 ton) and Z-6 (20 ton) models for applications including forging, riveting, and staking.
• Electropunch Electric Impact Hammer (Black & Webster) Electropunch is a compact benchtop electric impact hammer delivering up to 15,000 lbs of instantaneous adjustable impact force. Available in five models (C, FJS, BS, SMS, JS) with 1.75 to 2.0 inch stroke. Originally Black & Webster product line acquired by Air-Hydraulics in 1990.
• Protectoswitch Safety Switches Protectoswitch presence sensing safety switches protect operators from pinch point accidents on high-speed machinery. Available in three models: Electric (SAF-6/6-1), Pneumatic (SAF-3/93), and Electro-Pneumatic (SAF-6N). Features 24-inch customizable probe and speeds up to 80 cycles per minute.
• AH-Series Hydropneumatic Intensifying Cylinder AH-Series is a self-contained air-over-oil cylinder package producing 4 to 50 tons of hydraulic intensified force using factory supplied air. Features low-force fast approach stroke with self-contained hydraulic intensified power stroke, flange mounted design with air return.
• B-Series Air Over Oil Booster Cylinder B-Series combines proprietary air-over-oil ram cylinder with hydraulic intensified booster cylinder, delivering 2.5 to 15 tons of force. Features self-contained design using shop air, eliminating need for hydraulic motors, tanks, or pumps. Available in four models from B-250 to B-500.
• Custom Press Design & Modification Services Custom press design and modification services for all press lines including hydraulic, hydropneumatic, air-hydraulic, and air presses. Capabilities include light curtains and guarding, process monitoring equipment, custom tooling and fixtures, PLC control systems, press frame design (C-frame, 2-post, 4-post), and turnkey automation systems integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• More cost effective and energy efficient alternative to full hydraulic presses with reduced maintenance requirements
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Miller Family of CompaniescoreOthersAir-Hydraulics is part of The Miller Family of Companies, which includes FP Miller, Trinity Holdings, Phyleo Realty, Miller Trucking, Miller Warehousing, and M&M Automatic. These appear to be sister companies under common family ownership rather than formal commercial partnerships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Festo: Festo is a global supplier of pneumatic and electric automation technology, including cylinders, valves, drives, and compressed air preparation. It is a broad incumbent in pneumatic automation whose products power the same kinds of assembly and press equipment that Air-Hydraulics integrates into its solutions.
• Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin is a global leader in motion and control technologies, including hydraulic and pneumatic components, cylinders, valves, and integrated press systems. It is a broad incumbent in fluid power whose products are used in and around industrial press equipment, with overlapping capability in hydraulic power units.
• Schuler AG: Schuler is the world's largest manufacturer of presses, with a global footprint spanning metal forming, automation, and digital press solutions. It is comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial press manufacturing, offering overlapping capability in hydraulic and mechanical press systems but at vastly greater scale and across a much wider portfolio.

Direct peers

• Macrodyne Hydraulic Presses: Macrodyne designs and manufactures custom hydraulic presses ranging from small benchtop units to large industrial presses for forming, stamping, and assembly. It is a direct peer in custom-engineered press manufacturing serving similar industrial customers with comparable force ranges and configurations.
• Greenerd Press & Machine Company: Greenerd manufactures a full line of hydraulic and pneumatic presses including C-frame, H-frame, and four-post designs, along with custom engineered press systems. It is a direct peer, similarly focused on the North American industrial press market with comparable custom engineering services.
• JPW Industries (Dake): JPW Industries owns the Dake brand of benchtop and floor-model hydraulic and arbor presses used in industrial shops and assembly operations. It is a direct peer in benchtop and light-industrial press manufacturing with comparable force ranges and similar end-user customers.
• Gasbarre Products: Gasbarre produces mechanical and hydraulic presses, powder compaction presses, and thermal processing equipment, with a strong custom-engineering focus. It is a direct peer in industrial press manufacturing serving similar metalworking and assembly customer segments.
• Beckwood Press Company: Beckwood manufactures custom hydraulic presses from small benchtop units to large structural presses, including stretch forming, compression molding, and assembly presses. It is a direct peer in custom hydraulic press manufacturing with similar target customers in industrial manufacturing and assembly.

Others

• Bimba Manufacturing: Bimba manufactures pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, actuators, and fluid power components used in industrial automation and press applications. It is comparable as an adjacent component supplier in the fluid power ecosystem that feeds into press systems like those built by Air-Hydraulics.
• Pneumax: Pneumax specializes in pneumatic components, cylinders, valves, and motion control systems used in industrial automation, including assembly and press machinery. It is comparable as an adjacent component supplier in the pneumatic fluid power space that supports press system integration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Air-Hydraulics-Inc-137101649655315
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-hydraulics-inc.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Air-Hydraulics