Airsled Offers Unique Safe-Moving Solutions
Sometimes the most difficult part of moving a heavy safe is in the final few feet or even inches.
Airsled products use low-pressure, air-film technology to “float” heavy objects on a cushion of air, much like a hovercraft. Airsled developed this technology specifically to create portable, lightweight mobility solutions that run on standard 120-volt electricity.
Airsled offers standard solutions that can lift from 450 to 4,300 pounds simply by plugging them into a household electric outlet. Custom solutions have moved loads that weigh more than 10 tons.
Each Airsled system comes with thin, rectangular aluminum air beams that are wrapped with a perforated rubber fabric. Standard air beams are one-eighths or three-sixteenths of an inch thick, depending on the Airsled model, which makes them easy to slide under objects.
A small air pump carried over a shoulder via a strap forces air into these air beams through connections that are pressed together. As the air beams inflate, they generate a lifting action that causes anything resting on them to rise off the floor.
At the same time, air escapes from the bottom of the air beams through perforated rubber holes. This escaping air greatly reduces the coefficient of friction between the flooring surface and the rubber fabric, which gives you the ability to move heavy objects on your own in any direction. The load never is levitated off the ground; rather, it remains suspended by a cushion of air while you safely slide the heavy load to the desired location.
Certain conditions are required for optimal Airsled performance, such as the floor being smooth, flat and nonporous. Floors made of wood, tile, laminate or vinyl and sealed concrete are ideal.
For more information, contact Airsled at 800-AIRSLED (800-247-7533), [email protected] or www.airsled.com.
AKG Adds UHS Hardware to Growing Automotive Stable
After a quiet year, Automotive Keys Group (AKG) has struck again. UHS Hardware, an automotive-focused distributor based in Hollywood, Florida, has been acquired by AKG. Terms weren’t announced.
In spring 2021, AKG acquired two well-known automotive distributors in less than a month: Midwest Keyless and International Key Supply. AKG was formed in January 2021 by private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.
In a press release, AKG says the acquisition “adds a highly experienced and committed team to the organization” while adding that UHS will continue to operate independently “for the foreseeable future.” Midwest Keyless and International Key Supply continue to operate under their own names while participating in AKG training and marketing efforts. However, all distribution has been combined under the banner of Key Innovations.
“The UHS team is an invaluable addition to AKG and will enhance our ability to service the wholesale locksmith community,” said Ayal Sharvit, CEO at AKG. “We look forward to providing an expanded service network to our customers and driving value-added solutions to them through the investments we’ve made broadly in technology and infrastructure.”
Dan Berger, co-founder at UHS said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have our team partner with AKG and look forward to the expanded resources and support to add capabilities in support of our customers.”
Master Lock Owner to Buy ASSA ABLOY Units
The owner of prominent security brands Master Lock and SentrySafe has agreed to buy four ASSA ABLOY companies.
The move is the latest twist in the ongoing attempt by ASSA ABLOY to acquire the Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands. That $4.3 billion acquisition, which would include security brands Kwikset and Baldwin, has been blocked by the Department of Justice on antitrust concerns.
Fortune Brands, which owns Master Lock and SentrySafe, has agreed to buy ASSA ABLOY’s Smart Residential business unit companies, Yale Home and August Home, as well as high-end residential hardware businesses Emtek and Schaub for $800 million in cash and debt. The deal is contingent upon the HHI acquisition going through, according to a press release by ASSA ABLOY.
“While keeping these residential businesses in the U.S. and Canada would have been preferred, we are confident that we have now fully eliminated all competitive concerns alleged by the DOJ,” Nico Delvaux, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY, said in the release. “With Fortune Brands, our excellent U.S. and Canadian residential businesses will get a good and strong home with an experienced owner.”
In a separate press release, Fortune Brands Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Fink said, “This acquisition is perfectly aligned to our strategy as a brand, innovation and channel leader. Yale and August will bring two great brands and significant engineering expertise into our already-powerful security portfolio. Emtek and Schaub allow us to enter a branded, growing and highly profitable category in a leadership position,”
In October 2022, ASSA ABLOY announced it would sell Emtek, August Home and Yale Home in hopes of receiving approval for its proposed acquisition of HHI. That deal, announced in September 2021, was put on hold after DOJ sued to prevent the acquisition.
DOJ hasn’t commented about the Fortune Brands deal or whether such a sale would satisfy its concerns.
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SALTO Systems has created and filled two important roles: director of channel programs and director of industry sectors engagement.
Michelle Johnson has been named director of channel programs. Johnson joined SALTO in 2018 as Southwest regional sales manager. Her record of growth and understanding of how to bring value to SALTO partners make her the right choice to guide the evolution of SALTO’s Channel Program, said Colin DePree, sales strategy lead, SALTO North America. Johnson will lead all aspects of the channel program and will help SALTO to continue to focus on creating a journey to ensure success for SALTO and its valued partners. Johnson can be reached at [email protected] or 770-359-7840.
Cliff Brady has been named SALTO director of industry sectors engagement. Brady joins the SALTO team from Milestone Systems, where he was instrumental in helping to increase revenue in channel leadership roles and key-account end-user engagements. Brady’s knowledge of the security industry and vertical markets makes him a great choice to lead the SALTO industries team. He brings tremendous experience to SALTO’s focus on team-member growth and opening doors to opportunities, DePree said. Brady can be reached at [email protected] or 770-891-4678.
“The SALTO North America director of channel programs and the director of industry sectors engagement will be instrumental in leading our efforts to expand and enrich the channel as well as position SALTO as the product of choice for the many industries we serve,” DePree said. “We’ve selected the perfect candidates to lead us in these efforts, as they bring a wealth of experience and have the vision to guide us in these important areas as we continue to grow.”
For more information, visit www.salto.us.
