What a j sackett does

Sackett-Waconia (operating under the legacy name A.J. Sackett & Sons Company, founded 1897 in Baltimore) is a private US manufacturer of engineered equipment systems for the global fertilizer industry. The company designs, fabricates, and services precision blending systems (Precision Fertilizer Blending / PFB, AccuBlend, HIM 2.0, Orbital, Declining Weight, Tower Blending), bulk material handling equipment (bucket elevators, belt conveyors, Bulk-Toter flighted chain conveyors, en masse and chain belt conveyors), process and granulation systems (rotary drums, calciners, coating systems up to 40 mtph), terminal and bulk weighing systems, and a proprietary SmartBlending automation suite developed with Easy Automation Inc. It holds over 200 patents across its 125+ year history and operates four manufacturing locations in the US and Brazil, with strategic partnerships in Africa.

The company's customer base spans agricultural retailers, fertilizer distributors, and production/process plants worldwide, with named installations at Cargill (Camrose, Alberta), Simplot Grower Solutions (Leachville, AR), Nutrien, ADM, Wilbur-Ellis, Beaty Fertilizer, Coastal Agribusiness, MacroSource, PEI FarmCo, and Loyder/Essere Group in Brazil. Equipment is sold exclusively through direct enterprise field sales — regional account managers across the US and Canada, a dedicated international sales manager for Latin America/Caribbean, and the Baltimore office for Mexico — with quote-based, project-engineered pricing for each installation. Revenue is generated from one-time capital equipment sales, recurring OEM parts (separate Waconia and Sackett parts departments), and aftermarket service and preventative maintenance contracts.

Sackett-Waconia emerged in late 2016 from the consolidation of The A.J. Sackett & Sons Company, Waconia Manufacturing Inc. (founded 1959, interest acquired 1994), and Sackett do Brasil (joint venture, 2006). The most recent strategic action is an October 2024 expansion at the Norwood Young America, Minnesota headquarters: a 14.4-acre adjacent land purchase supporting a multi-phase buildout including a 115,000 sq ft Phase III manufacturing facility. Industry footprint spans six continents and over 60 countries (excluding the Arctic), with active participation in FIRT, TFI, ARA, and IFA industry associations.

Name

a j sackett

Legal name

Sackett-Waconia

Website

https://ajsackett.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sackett-Waconia (A.J. Sackett & Sons) engineers and manufactures precision fertilizer blending systems, material handling equipment, granulation plants, and terminal systems for agricultural retailers and fertilizer producers worldwide, with installations in 60+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fertilizer Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331), Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Contract Warehousing, Blending & Distribution for Agrochemicals (bulk handling, IBC/drum management) (AFABAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bulk Solids Handling & Processing Equipment (Conveying, Silo, Feeders) (IMAHAEAG), Bulk Handling & Conveying for Processing Lines (Augers, Elevators, Conveyors) (AFAAAJAJ), Packaging & Bagging Equipment (Weighers, Baggers, Sealers) (AFAAAJAI)

Keywords

• Fertilizer blending equipment
• Material handling systems
• Fertilizer granulation systems
• Precision fertilizer blending
• Industrial fertilizer processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwood Young America

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fertilizer Equipment Manufacturing: Design, engineering, and fabrication of complete fertilizer equipment systems including blending systems, material handling equipment, process systems, and terminal systems. Equipment includes blenders, conveyors, bucket elevators, rotary drums, calciners, and custom systems. Revenue is generated through capital equipment sales for new installations.
2. Aftermarket Parts: OEM parts supply for all equipment including fabricated and non-fabricated equipment. Stock items available in some cases. Separate parts departments for Waconia OEM parts and Sackett OEM parts.
3. Service and Support: Equipment service including walkthroughs, preventative maintenance, general service work, and equipment service training. Service department staffed with experts to assist with all equipment needs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

A.J. Sackett & Sons Company (Sackett-Waconia) designs, engineers, and manufactures complete fertilizer equipment systems for the global fertilizer industry. Its product portfolio includes precision blending systems (HIM 2.0, Orbital, AccuBlend, Tower, Declining Weight), material handling equipment (bucket elevators, belt conveyors, chain conveyors), process and granulation systems (rotary drums, calciners, coating systems), terminal systems, bulk weighing systems, and supporting accessories. The company also provides OEM aftermarket parts, equipment service and preventative maintenance, and an on-site R&D lab for product compatibility and process development testing.

Product overview

Sackett-Waconia (originally The A.J. Sackett & Sons Company, founded 1897) is a diversified manufacturer of fertilizer equipment systems serving the global fertilizer industry. The company operates as a single unified product portfolio of industrial fertilizer equipment rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings center on Precision Fertilizer Blending® (PFB) systems including the HIM 2.0 and Orbital precision blenders, available in tower configurations (vertical with overhead storage) and AccuBlend™ configurations (horizontal storage), along with Declining Weight continuous layering systems and Soluble Fertilizer Blending Systems. Supporting the blenders are complete material handling equipment (bucket elevators, belt conveyors, Bulk-Toter flighted chain conveyors, en masse chain conveyors, loadout/portable conveyors, chain belt conveyors), material conditioning equipment (bulk conditioners, lump busters), and process equipment (rotary drums, calciners, granulation systems, coating systems). Accessories include dust control spouts, valves/gates, powder feeders, and liquid dosing systems. The Smart Blending™ automation software provides integrated control. The company holds over 200 patents and has 4 manufacturing locations in North America with strategic partnerships including Sackett do Brasil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AccuBlend™: Horizontal precision blending system featuring NTEP Certified weigh hoppers and HIM 2.0 or Orbital Blender for fertilizer blending applications.
• Precision Fertilizer Blending® (PFB)
• Smart Blending™
• HIM 2.0
• DustDevil™

Products and services

• HIM 2.0 Precision Blender High-speed batch blender with twin rotors and synchronized overlapping paddle design for precision fertilizer blending. Features bomb-bay style discharge doors for instantaneous discharge preventing blend segregation, with mix times of 30 seconds or less. Designed for retail blending facilities and production plants requiring formula accuracy and traceability.
• Orbital Blender High-quality batch blender with unique internal baffling and mixing screw for fast, thorough blending. Ideal for coating and impregnation applications with stainless steel construction suited to harsh fertilizer environments.
• Precision Fertilizer Blending (PFB) Systems High-speed batch blending systems using multiple weigh hoppers and precision batch blenders providing formula accuracy of ±0.1% with traceability and guaranteed analysis. Features SmartBlending automation suite for complete system control, performance, and maintenance feedback.
• AccuBlend Systems Horizontal blending system with NTEP Certified weigh hoppers, PLC controlled dosing, and precision blenders (HIM 2.0 or Orbital). Features advanced intuitive software with typical capacities from 80-150 tph and options for 200 tph.
• Tower Blending Systems Vertical tower blending systems with overhead ingredient storage that reduce overall footprint. Capacities range from 90-ton Mini Towers to 300+ tons of overhead storage, featuring HIM 2.0 or Orbital blenders for high-speed precision blending.
• Declining Weight System Continuous layering system using load cells, controllers, and high sampling rates for unmatched accuracy. Features stainless steel hopper construction with adjustable gates for flexible output and mesh chain feeders developed by Sackett-Waconia with 15+ years of operation history.
• Soluble Fertilizer Blending Systems Water-soluble fertilizer blending systems featuring the HIM Mixer for thorough blending and distribution of liquids and powders. Includes tote filling stations and bagging systems for water-soluble specialty fertilizer applications.
• Terminal Systems Complete systems for import/export terminals, warehouses, and hub plants. Includes high-speed receiving and loadout capabilities for various capacities, designed for high-throughput operations at port facilities and bulk storage distribution hubs.
• Process/Granulation Systems Complete fertilizer production plants including NPK granulation, organic/by-product granulation, ammonium sulfate compaction/granulation, and SSP (Single Superphosphate) production with capacities up to 40 mtph. Designed for fertilizer producers requiring full process plant integration.
• Rotary Drums Custom-built drums for granulation, drying, cooling, coating, and thermal processing. Product line includes granulators, dryers, coolers, coaters, kilns, and calciners designed for fertilizer production environments.
• Calciners Custom-built thermal processing equipment with diameters from 12 inches to 10 feet and lengths typically 10 to 60 feet. Features zonal heating with independent controls for fertilizer thermal processing applications.
• Bulk Weighing Systems High-speed continuous loading systems for truck and rail loading with capacities from 300 to over 1200 tph. NTEP certified with included hydraulic power systems for accurate bulk fertilizer loadout.
• Coating Systems Systems for coating, encapsulation, and impregnation of fertilizers with liquid and powder additives. Available for production process and retail level applications to enhance fertilizer handling and slow-release characteristics.
• Fertilizer Bucket Elevators Heavy-duty industrial elevators designed for fertilizer applications with belt and chain options, centrifugal and continuous discharge. Capacities range from 50 tph to over 1000 tph for vertical bulk material handling.
• Belt Conveyors Fixed, tripper, shuttle, and loadout belt conveyors with capacities from 60 tph to over 1500+ tph. Features 304 stainless steel construction for durability in corrosive fertilizer plant environments.
• Bulk-Toter Flighted chain conveyors for receiving, in-floor reclaim, material transfer, and conditioning. Self-regulating in-feed hoppers allow flood feeding with updated flight design reducing wear and power consumption.
• En Masse Chain Conveyors Horizontal drag conveyors providing low horsepower, low maintenance conveying with totally enclosed design sealing in dust. Stainless steel construction with UHMW flights for harsh fertilizer environments.
• Loadout & Portable Conveyors 304 stainless steel loadout and portable conveyors with weather covers and telescoping dust spouts. Capacities from 90 tph to 240 tph with UOB under-car/over-track models for flexible deployment.
• Chain Belt Conveyors Fully enclosed 304 stainless steel chain belt conveyors designed for fertilizer plant environments with 14 inch and 18 inch models featuring removable covers for maintenance access.
• Bulk Conditioners Converts lumpy granular materials to granular state by pressing through screens with low rotor speed minimizing material degradation. Capacities from 60 tph to 600 tph for fertilizer material conditioning.
• Fertilizer Lump Busters Rapidly breaks up large lumps in one pass with 58 RPM low speed rotor. Features 304 stainless casing and rock pick style blades with no screen to clean, reducing maintenance requirements.
• Dust Devil Telescoping Spouts Manual or electric dust control devices minimizing dust when loading free-flowing materials. 7-8 foot travel distances with various adapters available to keep dust off trucks and out of plant environments.
• Fertilizer Valves and Gates Complete line of gates and valves for fertilizer handling including Salem valves (10-24 inches), slide gates, knife gates, and diverter valves. All 304 stainless construction for corrosive environments.
• Powder Feeder Doses powdered additives into batch or continuous blending systems. Handles products like WolfTrax micronutrients with 4-point tension load cell system and VFD control for variable product rates.
• Liquid Fertilizer Dosing System Systems for high and low viscosity liquid additives with tube steel construction. Options include enamel coated mild steel or all stainless steel with three levels of system control for various liquid additives.
• SmartBlending Automation Proprietary suite of sensors, integrated automation, and interactive user interface for complete control of blending systems. Provides real-time performance and maintenance feedback, developed in partnership with Easy Automation Inc.
• Research and Development Lab Services On-site lab facility in Baltimore for product compatibility testing, handling procedure development, process development, and proof of concept. Capabilities include granulation, drying, cooling, coating, and blending testing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Formula Accuracy of ±0.1% with NTEP-certified traceability
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

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

• Sackett do BrasilflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Formed in 2007 as a joint venture to supply Brazilian market with fertilizer process and blending equipment. Located in Araxá, Brazil with offices, machining, and manufacturing capabilities. Offers complete system design for Bulk Blending, Bulk Terminals, Granulation (NPK, SSP, AMS), Compaction/Granulation, Super Phosphate and Coating. Serves as strategic partner for Latin American market expansion and technology development.
• Strategic Partners in AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnerships in Africa serve African markets with fertilizer equipment. Part of global partnership network spanning 6 continents and 60+ countries.
• FIRT (Fertilizer Industry Round Table)coreOthersIndustry association for the fertilizer industry providing networking, education, and standards development. Sackett-Waconia is a proud member.
• TFI (The Fertilizer Institute)coreOthersNational trade association representing the fertilizer industry. Promotes responsible practices, environmental stewardship, and industry advancement. Sackett-Waconia is a proud member and 4R Partner.
• ARA (Agricultural Retailers Association)coreOthersTrade association representing agricultural retailers. Sackett-Waconia is a proud member and recipient of 2013 Ag Gateway Award.
• IFA (International Fertilizer Association)coreOthersGlobal fertilizer industry association with over 400 members in 70 countries. Sackett-Waconia participates in Global Fertilizer Day initiatives and industry events.
• Easy Automation InccoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomation technology partner providing control systems integration. SmartBlending control system developed in partnership with Easy Automation Inc for Reading, PA PFB Tower project.
• Marcus ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for facility projects including the Simplot Grower Solutions Leachville tornado rebuild project.
• Hays EquipmentminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEquipment partner for the Simplot Grower Solutions Leachville tornado rebuild project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Davis Equipment Corporation: Davis Equipment designs and builds fertilizer blending and material handling systems for ag retailers — a closely comparable product line to Sackett-Waconia's AccuBlend and PFB towers, serving the same North American ag-retail customer base.
• Ranco Fertiservice: Ranco manufactures vertical blending towers, conveyors, and material handling equipment for the fertilizer industry with comparable tph ratings and configurations to Sackett-Waconia's Tower Blending Systems and bucket elevators.
• FEECO International: FEECO designs and manufactures granulation, rotary drum, and fertilizer processing equipment — directly comparable to Sackett-Waconia's Process/Granulation Systems, Rotary Drums and Calciners product lines serving fertilizer and mineral processing customers.
• Yargus Manufacturing (DECA): Yargus (a division of DECA) builds bulk blending systems, conveyors, and storage for fertilizer and ag retailers — overlapping product portfolio and customer segment with Sackett-Waconia's PFB and material handling equipment.
• Adams Fertilizer Equipment: Adams manufactures fertilizer blending, conveying and handling equipment serving the same ag-retail customer base as Sackett-Waconia, with comparable specialty-equipment positioning in the North American fertilizer equipment market.
• Doyle Equipment Manufacturing: Doyle builds fertilizer blending and material handling equipment with comparable product offerings (blenders, conveyors, towers) to Sackett-Waconia's mid-market ag-retail and bulk blending facility customers.

Broad incumbents

• AGI (Ag Growth International): AGI is a public Canadian manufacturer of grain handling, storage, conditioning, and fertilizer equipment with global reach — a larger, more diversified incumbent whose fertilizer product lines overlap with Sackett-Waconia's blending, conveying and storage systems.
• Bühler Group: Bühler is a large Swiss industrial equipment manufacturer with agricultural and feed processing divisions; its process and material-handling capabilities make it a broad incumbent adjacent to Sackett-Waconia's fertilizer granulation and processing equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 a j sackett