ShoreStation

What ShoreStation does

ShoreStation, a brand of privately held Midwest Industries, Inc. (founded 1954 in Ida Grove, Iowa), designs and manufactures hydraulic and manual boat lifts, modular aluminum dock systems, and patented boat protection products (REVOLUTION Series Canopy, ShoreScreen Power Curtain, Legacy Canopy Covers). Its core technology centers on a proprietary 24V DC hydraulic lift platform featuring a 'high and dry' design, pulling-cable geometry that eliminates cable fatigue, pressure-regulated stall protection, wireless remote operation, and an integrated 20-watt solar charging system. Manufacturing is concentrated at a 340,000 sq ft Iowa facility — described as the largest boat lift manufacturing facility in the U.S. — supported by CNC, robotics, laser fabrication, and 24 regional warehouses across North America.

The company sells exclusively through authorized dealers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, with no direct-to-consumer or e-commerce channel permitted; dealers handle professional assembly, installation, parts, and service. Product revenue spans four streams: boat lift sales (2,000–30,000 lb capacity, free-standing and permanent configurations), dock systems and accessories, boat protection products, and replacement parts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set at the dealer level.

ShoreStation serves three customer segments: residential waterfront property owners (primary), commercial and municipal buyers (fire departments, marinas, construction firms), and its authorized dealer network itself. Named end customers across testimonials include government agencies (U.S. Geological Survey, Patchogue Fire Department), commercial operators (Spirit Airlines captain, Shoreline Pile Driving, Paradise Marine, Fleck Construction, The Bed Store), and individual consumers. The company offers an industry-leading 15-year warranty on cables and hydraulic structure and supports dealers with a dedicated portal, annual service schools, and a multi-channel marketing presence including boat shows, social media, and a YouTube education channel.

Name

ShoreStation

Legal name

Midwest Industries, Inc.

Website

https://shorestation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ShoreStation, a Midwest Industries brand, manufactures hydraulic boat lifts, aluminum docks, and patented boat protection products, selling exclusively through authorized dealers across North America, Europe, and Asia from its Iowa-based, 340,000 sq ft facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boat Lifts and Marine Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch & Retrieval Infrastructure (Slipways, Cradles, Travel Lifts, Launching Systems) (IMAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cargo Handling & Lifting Equipment (Cranes, Derricks, Hoists) (IMAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Hydraulic boat lifts
• Marine equipment manufacturing
• Boat protection canopies
• Aluminum dock systems
• Waterfront lift systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Ida Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Boat Lift Sales: Sale of freestanding and permanent boat lifts including hydraulic, electric, and manual power systems. Lifts range from 2,000 lb to 30,000 lb capacity.
2. Dock Systems: Sale of ShoreStation dock systems including Classic docks, 4x4 Post Docks, and dock accessories. Features powder-coated aluminum planking with customizable layouts.
3. Boat Protection Products: Sale of canopy covers (REVOLUTION Series and Legacy Series), ShoreScreen Power Curtains, and related boat protection accessories.
4. Parts and Accessories: Genuine ShoreStation replacement parts, boat guides, bow stops, LED lighting, leg options, and hull support accessories.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ShoreStation designs and manufactures hydraulic and manual boat lifts, modular aluminum dock systems, and boat protection products such as canopies and motorized screens. The product line spans freestanding and permanent lifts with capacities from 1,500 lb to 30,000 lb, supporting boats, pontoons, tritoons, and PWCs, all distributed exclusively through an authorized dealer network.

Product overview

ShoreStation offers a comprehensive waterfront equipment portfolio organized around three core product categories: boat lifts, docks, and boat protection systems. The boat lift line includes Free-Standing Lifts (with hydraulic and manual power options, capacities from 2,000 to 30,000 lb., supporting boats, pontoons/tritoons, and PWCs), Permanent/Built-in Lifts (Platform, Piling/4-Post, and Boat House styles for permanent installation with 4,000-20,000 lb. capacity), and specialized Pontoon Lifts and PWC Lifts. The Dock Systems product line features modular aluminum docks with powder-coated finishes and a full range of accessories including LED light caps, ladders, benches, and storage racks. Boat protection is provided through the REVOLUTION™ Series Canopy (patented roll-up design with rigid frame), ShoreScreen Power Curtain (remote-controlled motorized screen, U.S. Patent 9,488,253), and Legacy Canopy Covers. Key technology differentiators include the proprietary Hydraulic Power System (patented 'high and dry' dual-cylinder design with 24V DC operation and 15-year cable warranty) and Solar Battery Charging System (20-watt panel with regulator protection). Products are distributed exclusively through a dealer network and supported by factory call centers, annual service schools, and 24 regional warehouses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REVOLUTION™ Series Canopy: Premium boat lift canopy with roll-up design for easy installation and storage, featuring weather-resistant fabric and SunTex 80 woven mesh for maximum protection and durability.
• ShoreScreen Power Curtain
• Legacy Canopy Covers
• ShoreLand'r

Products and services

• Free-Standing Boat Lifts Hydraulic or manual freestanding boat lifts with capacities from 2,000 lb to 30,000 lb, featuring wireless remote control, solar power options, and patented hydraulic lift technology for fast, reliable boat launching and retrieval. Target customers are residential waterfront owners and commercial operators.
• Pontoon Lifts Specialized freestanding boat lifts for pontoon and tritoon vessels, with 3,000 lb to 10,000 lb capacity and multiple cradle support options including Pontoon/Tritoon Double Bunk, Pontoon Log Rack, and ToonRail configurations.
• PWC Lifts Personal watercraft lifts for Sea-Doo, Waverunner, and Jet Ski, available in vertical, cantilever, and dock-mount styles with up to 1,500 lb capacity and 5'6" water depth capability, including hydraulic power, wireless remote, and V-cradle design for shallow water.
• Permanent Boat Lifts Permanent installation boat lifts including Platform Lifts, 4 Post/Piling Lifts, and Boat House Lifts, with dual-cylinder hydraulic design, 4,000 to 20,000 lb capacity, up to 16' lift travel, and operation times under 1 minute.
• Dock Systems Modular aluminum dock systems featuring powder-coated planking and sideboards for corrosion resistance, with configurable layouts ranging from simple residential setups to full-scale marina installations and an available 4x4 Post Dock option.
• Dock Accessories Dock enhancement products including Dock Bumper LED Light Caps (solar-powered, 360° underglow), Flag Pole and Holder (up to 20 ft), Gear Tower, Dock Ladder, Swivel Chair (Trex composite), Dock Bench, Aqua Step, Shore Steps, and Paddle Board and Kayak Storage Rack.
• REVOLUTION Series Canopy Patented premium boat lift canopy with weather-resistant ShelterTX textured vinyl fabric, 20" rigid frame with trussed side frame, roll-up 'Roll and Store' design, patented ratchet and lock system, and breathable SunTex 80 woven mesh ends. Patent No. 10,145,121.
• ShoreScreen Power Curtain Patented remote-controlled screen system providing 360° boat protection from UV rays, windblown debris, insects, and birds. Features dual drive motors, SunTex 80 woven mesh with Microban mildew prevention (absorbs/dissipates 80% of sun's heat), and wireless remote operation. U.S. Patent Number 9,488,253.
• Legacy Canopy Covers Standard vinyl canopy cover with heavy-duty 18 oz vinyl-coated nylon fabric, 22 oz reinforced bungee pockets, heat-welded seams, double-stitched ends, and SpoolSnap design for easy removal, plus adjustable frame ends for custom fit.
• Solar Battery Charging System 20-watt solar panel charger with integrated solar regulator for battery drainage protection. Maintains marine deep-cycle batteries at peak power, prevents overcharging damage, and enables year-round outdoor storage.
• Hydraulic Power System Proprietary dual-cylinder hydraulic boat lift technology with 24V DC motor operation, 'high and dry' design, pulling-cable design (eliminates cable fatigue), pressure-regulated hydraulics, and an industry-leading 15-year warranty on cables and structure.
• Manual Winch System Time-tested manual boat lift winch with over 50-year history, featuring spring-activated Wheel Lock safety mechanism, grooved winch drum for maximum cable life, aluminum construction, stainless steel cables, and GAR-MAX pulley bearings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-year warranty on cables and hydraulic structure - industry leading
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• HydroHoist Boat Lifts: HydroHoist manufactures hydraulic and air-powered boat lift systems including HydroHoist and Boat Lift brands, directly competing with ShoreStation in freestanding and PWC lifts. Their pneumatic and hydraulic lift architectures target the same waterfront residential customer segment.
• Hewitt Machine & Welding: Hewitt is a Canadian-based manufacturer of boat lifts, pontoon lifts, and roll-a-dock systems, competing head-to-head with ShoreStation in the Great Lakes and broader North American markets. Comparable product breadth in hydraulic lifts and modular docks.
• Golden Boat Lifts: Golden Boat Lifts manufactures aluminum hydraulic boat lifts for residential and commercial applications, competing directly with ShoreStation's freestanding hydraulic line in the 2,000–30,000 lb capacity range across US lakefront markets.
• Sunstream Boat Lifts: Sunstream manufactures solar-powered PWC and boat lifts with hydraulic drive systems, directly competing with ShoreStation's solar DC-powered lift line. Same dealer-channel model and target customer base of waterfront residential buyers.
• ShoreMaster: ShoreMaster is the most direct competitor to ShoreStation, manufacturing freestanding and vertical boat lifts, docks, and waterfront accessories for residential and commercial markets across North America. Overlapping product portfolio, capacity range, and dealer channel make it the closest peer.
• DECO Boat Lifts: DECO builds aluminum boat lifts and dock systems targeting residential waterfront owners, overlapping ShoreStation in freestanding lifts and modular docks. Competes on similar capacity ranges (up to ~30,000 lb) and dealer distribution.

Emerging players

• Poly Lift (by PolyPortables): PolyPortables' Poly Lift produces polyethylene freestanding boat lifts targeting residential waterfront owners. Smaller scale and different material architecture than ShoreStation, but directly competing in the entry-level freestanding lift segment.
• Alumi-Span Docks: Alumi-Span manufactures aluminum dock and lift systems similar to ShoreStation's dock line, serving the same lakefront residential and commercial buyers. Strong overlap in modular dock products though smaller lift offering.
• Floatair Boatlifts: Floatair produces pneumatic air-bladder boat lifts as an alternative to hydraulic systems, competing for the same residential and light-commercial installation base. Smaller scale but meaningful overlap in capacity range and customer segment.

Broad incumbents

• Tommy Lift (by Marine Travelift): Tommy Lift, part of Marine Travelift, builds heavy-duty freestanding and piling boat lifts up to 100,000 lb. As the broader incumbent in marine lifting, it competes with ShoreStation's permanent and high-capacity lift segments and adjacent commercial/marina channels.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MyShoreStation
• YouTubebit.ly/1MVQib4
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShoreStation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shorestation
• Instagrambit.ly/2tWrHkV
• Pinterestbit.ly/2vzD1ny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 ShoreStation