What Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc. does

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc. (DBA VacuPress) is a Brunswick, Maine-based manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of vacuum pressing equipment for woodworking veneering and laminating. The company's core technology uses atmospheric pressure—exceeding 1,750 lbs per square foot at operating vacuum levels—to apply uniform clamping force across workpieces while drawing glue into wood cell structures, enabling veneering of curved shapes that traditional clamping cannot practically accommodate. The product portfolio spans four vacuum pump models (Compact 150 1.5cfm through Industrial Hi-Flo 11cfm), 30 Mil polyurethane and vinyl vacuum bags, the Flip Top Table Press frame system, VacuClamp vacuum pods, multi-bag manifolds, replacement parts and C-channel closures, proprietary adhesives (Unibond One one-part PVA, Unibond 800 two-part urea resin, plus UniBond Blocker, UniBond Tint, and Veneer Tamer), and educational books and DVDs.

The business operates a pure direct-to-consumer e-commerce model via vacupress.com with global shipping and a toll-free order line; no distributors, resellers, or retail partners are evidenced. Pricing ranges from entry-level ($445 Compact 150 pump, $12.48 DVDs) to professional and prosumer tiers ($996 Professional pump, $1,692 Industrial Hi-Flo, up to $4,029 for Flip Top Table Press kits), with repeat-consumable revenue from bags, adhesives, and replacement parts. The company serves a horizontal segmentation of home workshop hobbyists and professional woodworkers across fine furniture, cabinetry, marquetry, musical instruments, architectural millwork, and antique restoration, supported by an active community forum (2,314 registered users, 8,943 posts) and a customer photo gallery.

Vacuum Pressing Systems is privately held, founder-operated, and bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, venture capital, or institutional ownership. Founded approximately 25 years ago by Darryl Keil (who remains actively engaged as forum moderator and technical expert), the company functions as a niche specialist maintaining category leadership in vacuum pressing technology for woodworking rather than pursuing aggressive scaling.

Name

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.

Legal name

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.

Website

https://vacupress.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc. (DBA VacuPress) manufactures and sells vacuum pressing equipment—pumps, bags, adhesives, and table presses—for woodworking veneering and laminating, serving hobbyists and professional woodworkers globally via direct-to-consumer e-commerce from Brunswick, Maine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Woodworking Equipment & Supplies

NAICS

Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

Keywords

• Vacuum pressing equipment
• Wood veneering tools
• Laminating systems
• Vacuum press pumps
• Veneering adhesives

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunswick

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, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vacuum Press Equipment Sales: Direct product sales of vacuum pumps, bags, and table press systems to woodworkers. Products are sold at various price points from entry-level ($445) to professional ($1,692+).
2. Accessories and Parts: Sales of vacuum bag fittings, manifolds, platen sleeves, bag closures (C-channel), and replacement parts.
3. Veneering Supplies: Sales of proprietary veneering adhesives including Unibond 800 (two-part urea resin) and Unibond One (one-part PVA), along with veneer preparation products like Veneer Tamer, UniBond Blocker, and UniBond Tint.
4. Educational Materials: Sales of woodworking instructional DVDs and books including 'Working with Veneer', 'Working in a Vacuum', 'Vacuum Pressing Made Simple', and 'Advanced Veneering' by Scott Grove.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum pressing equipment, bags, table press frame systems, and proprietary adhesives for woodworking veneering and laminating. Its flagship VacuPress® line includes oil-less rotary vane and rocking piston vacuum pumps (1.5 to 11 cfm), polyurethane and vinyl vacuum bags, Fliptop Table Press frames, VacuClamp vacuum pods, Unibond adhesives, and replacement parts. The system uses atmospheric pressure inside a sealed vacuum bag to apply uniform clamping force to veneered or laminated workpieces.

Product overview

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc. offers a comprehensive portfolio of physical vacuum pressing equipment and consumables for woodworkers. The core product line centers on VacuPress® vacuum pumps (Industrial Hi-Flo 11cfm, Professional 6cfm, Compact 300 3cfm, and Compact 150 1.5cfm), which generate the suction force needed for veneering and laminating. These pumps are paired with complementary bag systems including 30 Mil Industrial Polyurethane Bags, 30 Mil Vinyl Bags, and Polyurethane Zipper Panel Bags. The company also provides a Flip Top Table Press frame system for shops requiring a stationary pressing solution. Supporting products include VacuClamp Vacuum Pods for clamping, Bag Closures, Manifolds for multi-bag operations, and Brass Bag Fittings. The adhesives portfolio includes Unibond One (one-part PVA), Unibond 800 (two-part urea resin), UniBond Blocker, UniBond Tint, and Veneer Tamer. Educational resources include books, DVDs, and a community forum moderated by founder Darryl Keil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VacuPress: Brand name for vacuum pressing pumps, bags, and table press systems for woodworkers
• VacuClamp
• UniBond
• UniBond Blocker
• UniBond Tint
• Veneer Tamer
• Flip Top Table Press

Products and services

• Industrial Hi-Flo VacuPress Pump (11cfm) High-performance 3/4 HP oil-less rotary vane vacuum pump for professional woodworking shops, delivering 11 cfm rapid evacuation and 1774 lbs/sq ft pressing force for high-volume production.
• Professional VacuPress Pump (6cfm) Entry-level professional-grade 1/3 HP dual chamber rocking piston vacuum pump rated at 6 cfm, with digital vacuum switch and dual power modes for pressing and clamping applications.
• Compact 300 VacuPress Pump (3cfm) Single-chamber 3 cfm rocking piston vacuum pump for small or home workshops, developing 1750 lbs/sq ft pressing force and capable of handling full 4'x8' bags.
• Compact 150 VacuPress Pump (1.5cfm) Affordable two-chamber 1.5 cfm rocking piston vacuum pump designed for home workshops, weighing 11 lbs and requiring no compressor.
• 30 Mil Industrial Extruded Polyurethane VacuPress Bags Heavy-duty vacuum bags made from 30 mil extruded polyurethane with heat-welded seams and C-channel closures, available in 9 sizes from 30in x 48in to 25in x 268in for professional pressing.
• 30 Mil Vinyl VacuPress Bags Flexible, durable, water-clear vinyl vacuum bags with heat-welded seams, ideal for home hobbyists and light-duty professional pressing at budget-friendly prices.
• 30 Mil Polyurethane Zipper Panel Bags Vacuum-proof zipper bags opening on three sides like a suitcase for unrestricted access, made from 30 mil extruded polyurethane with a five-year warranty against seam delamination.
• Fliptop Table Press Kit (Frame & Base) Vacuum press table with hinged lid that drops over wood panels being pressed, designed for repetition work and accessibility, available in multiple kit configurations from $1,451 to $4,029.
• VacuClamp Vacuum Pods Portable vacuum clamping pods for holding down wooden parts during routing and sanding operations, available in sizes from $7.50 to $364.00 (pump sold separately).
• Unibond One Adhesive One-part PVA adhesive specifically formulated for wood veneering and laminating, with extra hard glue line, 15-minute open work time at 70°F, and no mixing required.
• Unibond 800 Adhesive Two-part liquid urea resin adhesive for vacuum pressing with rigid, gap-filling glue line (up to 0.02 inch), adjustable set times, and excellent water resistance.
• Veneer Tamer Liquid formulation that flattens and softens buckled, wrinkled, or brittle veneer to make it supple and ready for seaming, taping, and gluing.
• Vacupress Manifolds for Multi-Bag Hook Up Vacuum manifolds allowing multiple bags to operate off one pump simultaneously with quick disconnects and shut-off valves per port, available in 2-port ($184-$298) and 3-port ($289-$446) configurations.
• Advanced Veneering (Book) Book by Scott Grove covering advanced veneering techniques including milling, flattening, cutting, seaming, glues, pressing, and repairing, with 270+ color images and step-by-step instructions; priced at $39.95.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1750 lbs of pressing force per square foot (at 25 HG vacuum)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Woodcraft: National woodworking specialty retailer with a broad catalog of vacuum pressing equipment, clamps, and adhesives. Comparable as a multi-channel competitor serving the same SMB and hobbyist customer base with overlapping product categories.
• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Major DTC and retail woodworking tools/supplies retailer offering vacuum pump kits, veneering supplies, and adhesives. Directly comparable as a competing channel serving the same professional and hobbyist woodworker segments that VacuPress targets.
• Laguna Tools: Specialty manufacturer of woodworking machinery and vacuum press systems for cabinet shops and fine furniture makers. Directly comparable in the professional-grade vacuum press category for woodworking production environments.
• JB Industries: Manufacturer of rotary vane and rocking piston vacuum pumps used in HVAC and industrial applications. Comparable as a competing vacuum pump hardware vendor; while not woodworking-specialized, their pumps can be paired with third-party bag systems at lower price points.

Broad incumbents

• Festool: Premium power tool and dust extraction brand widely used by the same professional cabinetmakers and fine furniture shops that buy VacuPress systems. Comparable as a high-end adjacent brand occupying overlapping professional woodworking workflows and budgets.
• Kreg Tool: Woodworking jig and clamping solutions company with strong DTC and retail presence serving hobbyists and pros. Comparable as a competing clamping/jigs vendor whose pocket-hole and clamp systems compete for the same shop equipment budget.
• Titebond (Franklin International): Dominant wood adhesive brand offering a broad portfolio of PVA, polyurethane, and specialty glues widely used by VacuPress customers. Comparable as a competing veneer and laminating adhesive supplier at scale with deep distribution into woodworking channels.
• Becker Pumps (Gardner Denver): Industrial rotary vane vacuum pump manufacturer serving woodworking, printing, and packaging industries. Comparable as a competing vacuum pump hardware supplier whose products can be configured for woodworking pressing applications at industrial scale.

Emerging players

• Penn State Industries: Woodworking kits and supplies retailer selling pen turning kits, clock kits, and small shop equipment. Comparable as a niche DTC supplier targeting hobbyist woodworkers with overlapping customer demographics and direct-to-consumer fulfillment.
• General Finishes: Wood finishes and adhesives brand popular with hobbyist and small-shop woodworkers. Comparable as a competing consumable brand sold into the same customer base, particularly for finishing and adhesive SKUs adjacent to VacuPress's Unibond line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 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 Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.