**Glendale Heights, Illinois**
Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Michael Nelson, the Vice President of A-L Equipment, to talk about their longstanding partnership with Viking Pump. It's fascinating to hear how their journey began and evolved over the years.
**A Legacy of Innovation**
A-L Equipment Company, Inc. was founded in 1955 by Art Nelson and his wife Gerry. Art’s experience in the pump industry made him a natural fit for starting his own business. Known for tackling challenging installations where others had failed, Art decided to branch out on his own after facing resistance from his employer. Since then, A-L Equipment has remained a family-owned and operated business, transitioning smoothly between two generations. Dean Nelson took over next to his wife Sue, expanding the business to cover all of Chicagoland and parts of Indiana.
**The Next Chapter**
In 1996, Art’s grandson Michael joined the team, followed by his wife Mercedes in 2010. As the current Vice President, Michael continues the family tradition of offering innovative solutions for liquid handling challenges. The company represents the full line of Viking pumps, which they’ve carried since day one. Beyond Viking products, they also supply other pumps, meters, and stainless-steel reels/hoses to create complete skid systems.
**State-of-the-Art Facilities**
In 1988, A-L Equipment moved to a modern 17,000+ square foot facility in Glendale Heights, Illinois. This spacious location allows them to maintain an extensive inventory, valued at over $4 million, with around $2 million dedicated to Viking products. It’s one of the largest inventories in the industry, housing over 750 Viking pumps alone.
**Dedicated Team**
The company employs 16 people, including warehouse and shop personnel, service technicians, and both inside and outside sales teams. Their main clients span industries like raw chemical production, food and pharmaceutical processing, and sustainable technologies, particularly in biodiesel and ethanol. They rely on their diverse product offerings—pumps, meters, and durable hose and cable reels—to meet these industries' needs.
**Customer Satisfaction**
With factory-trained personnel and service vehicles, A-L Equipment ensures customer satisfaction, much like Viking Pump. If a standard pump doesn't fit a client's needs, they customize solutions in-house for rapid deployment.
**Partnership Success**
Viking Pump remains A-L Equipment's largest supplier, dating back to 1955. They’ve consistently exceeded $1 million in sales, earning membership in Viking's prestigious President’s Club since 1993. Michael emphasizes their comprehensive range of Viking products, especially those with Mag drive seals for safe handling of hazardous materials.
**Building Lasting Relationships**
Relationships are key for A-L Equipment. One standout client is Barry Callebaut, a major chocolate manufacturer, where they’ve installed hundreds of Viking’s specialized chocolate pumps featuring O-Pro™ Barrier seal technology. Another significant client is Stepan, a global chemical solutions company, with over 1,000 pieces of Viking equipment installed at their Millsdale, Illinois facility.
**Emergency Solutions**
There was a memorable incident where BASF called A-L Equipment at 6 PM on Thanksgiving with an urgent issue threatening to shut down their $100,000-per-day operation. Using their extensive inventory and expertise, they quickly installed a Viking pump rated for 250 psi but adjusted it to achieve 400 psi discharge pressure. This solution was up and running within 6-8 hours, whereas a competitor’s pump would have taken 12 weeks.
**Customization and Collaboration**
A-L Equipment often customizes Viking pumps to suit unique applications. For instance, they’ve modified Glycol pumps to include de-icing units for airports like O’Hare and Midway. These modifications have led to partnerships with OEMs producing glycol de-icing skids, many of which feature Viking pumps, used nationwide by UPS and FedEx.
**Endless Possibilities**
The collaboration between A-L Equipment and Viking Pump showcases endless potential. Whether it’s managing complex industrial processes or responding to emergencies, their combined expertise delivers reliable solutions.
For more information about A-L Equipment, click [here](#).
This story highlights not only their impressive capabilities but also the trust and reliability built over decades of partnership.
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