AK Industrial Contractors, Inc.

45+ Years of Proven Execution

Specialized Rigging & Turnkey Installation
for Schedule-Critical Environments.

For 45 years, AK Industrial Contractors has executed the most demanding rigging, millwright, and turnkey equipment installation scopes in North America — in live facilities, under compressed schedules, where safety is non-negotiable and failure is not an option. We don't just move equipment. We take ownership of the outcome.

Our complete turnkey process — offloading and receiving, staging, rigging, precision setting and alignment, and final anchoring — is self-performed by our own trained crews. That means fewer handoffs, tighter control, and a single accountable team from first lift to final bolt. Owners, general contractors, and EPCs rely on us to reduce coordination risk and protect their schedules on complex, high-consequence scopes.

From heavy manufacturing relocations to precision installations in mission-critical environments, we bring the same disciplined approach: rigorous planning, field leadership, and an OSHA-focused safety culture that has earned us an A rating with ISNetworld, SCRA membership, recognition from the American Chamber of Mexico, and AFCOM affiliation. When the scope is complex and the stakes are high, AK is the partner you call.

Trusted Partners

Built on Trust. Proven in the Field.

The companies on this list represent some of the most demanding manufacturers and industrial operators in North America. For over 45 years, we've earned their trust — and the trust of partners like them — by doing one thing consistently: delivering exactly what we said we would, on time, safely, and without excuses.

We operate as a true partner, not just a vendor. That means clear communication from the first call to final commissioning, proactive problem-solving when conditions change, and field leadership that protects your schedule and your people. Our self-perform capability across rigging, millwright, and precision installation means fewer handoffs, less risk, and a single accountable team on your site.

Trust in this industry isn't built on proposals — it's built on performance under pressure. Our clients operate facilities where downtime is measured in dollars per minute, and they've learned that AK Industrial doesn't flinch when conditions get difficult. We plan for complexity, staff for accountability, and execute with the discipline that high-stakes environments demand.

Whether the scope is a cross-border facility relocation, a precision production line install, or a mission-critical equipment deployment in a live environment — we show up disciplined, prepared, and committed to execution certainty every time.

Industry Leaders We've Partnered With

Client Testimonials

"From October of 2021 through April of 2022, it was my good fortune to work with Jay Sorrows and his team from AK Industrial Contractors. As a project manager for the Michelin Tire Company of North America, I have worked with dozens of install companies in different states and in Mexico. AK Industrial Contractors was one of the best by far. Their management was completely flexible during some difficult travel restrictions due to Covid. Their teams were well trained and even instructed our new maintenance teams. We had zero safety incidents with their crews throughout several months that included weekend and night shift work. Their management communicated with our different managers constantly so we knew the status and what to anticipate on the many jobs that we had assigned them. AK Industrial Contractors directly contributed to our success in bringing an older plant back into production within 6 months. I would highly recommend them to any North American company."

— Project Manager, Michelin Tire Company of North America

"Your people on site in Asheboro understood the importance of a successful move and all phases were completed on schedule. The relationship of our two companies and the people involved met or exceeded all of our expectations. Thanks again for helping make a difficult relocation successful."

— Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Support, Black & Decker; Asheboro, North Carolina

"Your team was extremely professional and diligent in getting the job done correctly and quickly. I especially appreciate you beating the schedule for having all of the machines available for production in Lexington. I also want to commend AKIC on its ability to coordinate the move of all the other equipment we sent to the different Cooper Power Tools locations. All of the equipment arrived safely and in a timely manner. Please thank your organization for a job well done."

— Manager, Lean Manufacturing; Cooper Power Tools; Lexington, South Carolina

"The relocating of our entire manufacturing facility from Paris, Illinois to Ruston, Louisiana was done in a most professional manner. There was never any dispute between your team and ours and the work was completed in less time than was originally agreed upon. We highly recommend your company."

— Vice President Manufacturing & Engineering, UNC Home Products; Ruston, Louisiana

"Your commitment to on-time performance including three shifts on most days, as well as to accurate cost estimating and cost management was exceptional, especially under our circumstances of confidentiality and scope of work. The timeline was short and the project was complex, yet AKIC did an outstanding job. I'm glad you were part of the team."

— President, The DeVilbiss Company; Toledo, Ohio

"It was a long and complicated project with several rescheduling requirements, but AKIC was always extremely flexible and easy to work with. I have been most impressed with their work ethic—they just work hard to do what has to be done, whenever and whatever it takes. AKIC can be trusted to do the job efficiently, fairly and professionally…and that's the highest praise I can offer."

— Senior Staff Engineer, Maverick Tube Corporation; Blytheville, Arkansas

"Cotta had put a tremendous amount of time and resources into planning our move since its success or failure could easily result in unrecoverable damages to the company. Part of our planning was a rigorous selection process that led us to AKIC. In spite of the worst possible weather and high stress levels, their professionalism and cool headed attitude prevailed. They were a pleasure to work with and did what it took to get the job done. In spite of the terrible weather and other difficult circumstances, the move was completed on time and budget. I would not hesitate from using or recommending AKIC."

— Vice President Engineering and Operations, Cotta Transmission Co.; Beloit, Wisconsin

Safety & Compliance

Safety Is Our #1 Priority

Safety is not a program at AK Industrial — it is the foundation of how we operate. Our OSHA-focused safety culture is instilled at every level of the organization, from project management to field crews. Every scope begins with a safety plan, and every team member is trained, equipped, and accountable for maintaining a zero-incident standard on every site.

We have an Experience Modification Rating (EMR) of .91, are ISNetworld compliant, and maintain an A rating with the majority of our hiring clients — giving owners and GCs immediate, verified access to our safety programs, insurance documentation, licensing credentials, and compliance records through a single centralized platform. This simplifies prequalification and removes uncertainty before work begins.

Our SCRA membership and affiliations with the American Chamber of Mexico and AFCOM reflect our commitment to operating at the highest professional and ethical standards across every market we serve — domestically and internationally. When you put AK on your site, safety comes standard.

Leadership & Expertise

Leading Industry Experts

Mike Arnett

President

Jay Sorrows

VP, General Manager

Myra Spence

Operations

Adam Patterson

Business Development

AK Industrial is led by people who have spent their careers in the field — not in boardrooms. Our leadership team brings decades of direct, hands-on experience in rigging, millwright work, and complex equipment installation, and that experience shapes how every project is planned, staffed, and executed.

We built this company on a simple principle: do exactly what you say you'll do, safely, on schedule, every time. That standard starts at the top and runs through every supervisor, craftsman, and project manager we put on your site. Our clients don't just hire our equipment or our labor — they hire our judgment, our accountability, and our commitment to protecting their project from the first conversation to the final sign-off.

45 years in, that standard hasn't changed. Neither has our reputation for delivering it.

45 Years in Mission Critical Environments

Specialized Rigging & Turnkey Installation
for Schedule-Critical Environments.

Complete Equipment Installation Services

Offloading & Receiving

Staging

Rigging

Precision Setting & Alignment

Anchoring

Built on Trust. Proven in the Field.

Client Testimonials

Safety Is Our #1 Priority