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Glendale Heights, Illinois
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Nelson, the Vice President of A-L Equipment, to get a deeper understanding of their long-standing partnership with Viking Pump. It's clear that their collaboration is built on trust and mutual respect.
Background
A-L Equipment Company, Inc., founded in 1955 by Art Nelson and his wife Gerry, has always been a family-owned business. Art’s background in liquid handling systems was a natural segue into founding his own company. Known for solving complex pump installation challenges that others deemed impossible, Art set out on his own to create A-L Equipment. Since then, the company has grown significantly under the leadership of Art’s son, Dean Nelson, and daughter-in-law, Sue, expanding their reach across Chicagoland and beyond.
In 1996, Art’s grandson, Michael Nelson, joined the team alongside his wife, Mercedes, in 2010. As Vice President today, Mike continues Art’s legacy by offering innovative solutions tailored to customers' liquid handling needs. Representing Viking pumps from day one, A-L Equipment now stocks a full range of Viking products, complemented by additional pumps from affiliate brands and other suppliers. They’ve also expanded their offerings to include meters and stainless-steel reels/hoses, creating comprehensive skid systems for clients.
Modern A-L Equipment facility in Glendale Heights
In 1988, A-L Equipment moved into a newly constructed, 17,000-square-foot facility designed specifically to accommodate their growing inventory. This spacious location holds one of the largest inventories in the industry, valued at over $4 million, with approximately $2 million dedicated solely to Viking products. The facility provides ample room not only for storage but also for housing 16 employees, including warehouse staff, service technicians, salespeople, and administrative personnel.
Location, Markets, and Products
Serving diverse industries such as raw chemical production, food and pharmaceutical processing, and environmentally friendly technologies, A-L Equipment caters particularly to sectors focused on biodiesel and ethanol. Their commitment to sustainability shines through as they provide essential tools to businesses contributing to green initiatives.
Their product lineup includes top-tier pumps, meters, and robust hose and cable reels. Factory-trained staff and equipped service vehicles ensure customer satisfaction—a core value shared by both A-L Equipment and Viking Pump. When a standard pump doesn't meet a customer's specific requirements, A-L Equipment customizes solutions on-site for rapid deployment.
How We Win Together
Viking Pump remains A-L Equipment's most significant product line since their inception in 1955. They surpassed $1 million in Viking sales in 1993 and have been members of the prestigious Viking President’s Club ever since. Mike emphasizes that they stock every product Viking manufactures, especially favoring magnetic-drive pumps for their ability to contain materials effectively, whether it’s chocolate or hazardous substances.
Building strong relationships is equally important. One standout client is Barry Callebaut, a leading chocolate manufacturer, where A-L Equipment has installed hundreds of Viking pumps featuring O-Proâ„¢ Barrier seal technology across all Chicagoland facilities. Another major client, Stepan, a global chemical solutions provider, relies heavily on Viking stainless-steel and magnetic-drive pumps at their Illinois-based plant.
A memorable incident occurred on Thanksgiving when BASF urgently contacted A-L Equipment with a crisis threatening to halt operations costing $100,000 per day. Leveraging their extensive inventory and expertise, A-L swiftly replaced a competitor pump with a Viking model rated up to 400 psi, thanks to a clever workaround involving reduced speed. This intervention saved the day within hours instead of the weeks required by the previous supplier.
This synergy between A-L Equipment and Viking Pump consistently ensures reliable service to clients, addressing nearly all pumping issues using Viking's versatile product range—from thin liquids like ammonia to thick, viscous substances like asphalt or pipe dope.
Customization and Innovation
When necessary, A-L Equipment modifies Viking pumps in-house to exceed expectations. For instance, they’ve enhanced Glycol pumps with de-icing units for fuel delivery at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports during winter. This collaboration inspired work with an OEM producing glycol de-icing skids, many of which incorporate Viking pumps, servicing UPS and FedEx aircraft nationwide.
The potential for innovation is limitless when A-L Equipment and Viking Pump collaborate!
For further details about A-L Equipment, visit their website [insert link].
May 30, 2025