Air Pump USA Celebrates a Decade Under New Ownership

(and 15 years as an ACPA member)

Air Pump USA is marking two major milestones this year: 10 years under its current ownership, and 15 years as a proud member of the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA).

An air pump truck service company with ACPA membership may seem unconventional, but not to owner Michael Nolen. As he explains, “We are a lone wolf in the pumping-with-air world, and as a trade organization, the ACPA is the closest fit in terms of the services we offer.” 

Since 2010, the material pump and placement company has benefited from the wealth of resources and knowledge provided by ACPA. Plus, Nolen says ACPA members have welcomed the company and its leadership with open arms. 

“We get a lot of advice from other members on the correct and safest way to run a difficult and challenging service business,” says Nolen. “And because we’re not direct competitors, these relationships have turned into alliances. We can work together to serve customers with whatever placing needs they have.” 

INSPIRED BY CONCRETE PUMPS

Founded in 1996 by Richard Dunlop as Air Pumped Sand & Gravel, the company offers a cost-effective solution for moving aggregates, sand and soil blends into hard-to-reach areas. Dunlop developed and patented the system — a truck-mounted assembly that pneumatically moves aggregates through flexible hoses upwards of 700-plus linear feet — as a faster, safer alternative to conventional crane and bucket systems, power buggies and wheelbarrows. “As a concrete contractor doing a lot of hillside foundations, I used to ask if I can pump my concrete, why not my aggregate?” Dunlop explains. 

The air pump trucks offer a service similar to concrete pumps by transporting heavy, loose, unpacked material to the final job site location. Instead of pushing concrete through a hose with pressure, they use controlled air and feed ratios to propel aggregate, sand and soils through a lightweight flexible hose.  

“The loading of the hopper and the hose work are also similar to that of a concrete pump. In fact, we’ve even had ready mixed trucks place dry aggregates directly into our hopper. But the most common method is with a skid steer-type loader that we bring to the project site to pull from nearby stockpiles of material,” says Nolen.

A NEW ERA OF GROWTH

By 2015, Dunlop was ready to retire. A new ownership team led by Nolen purchased the company and renamed it Air Pump USA. Under new ownership and a new name, the company’s fleet grew from two older model air pump trucks serving California to more than 10 updated and automated Kenworth trucks operating around the country. Sales increased from $1 million to $10 million.

“Richard was looking for a younger, energetic person to take over and expand operations,” says Nolen. “We’ve built on his foundation while pushing the company into new markets.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the ownership transition, and next year the company will celebrate 30 years in business. To commemorate the 10-year anniversary, the Air Pump USA team plans to honor its original founder. “I plan on making a big deal out of the anniversary and will present Richard with the final check that pays off the owner financing agreement we made back in 2015. We will continue pushing his original vision, making our air pump equipment the industry standard in moving dry materials nationwide,” says Nolen.