Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW), the Phoenix, Arizona company behind the patented Air Suspension Wheel (ASW), has received another significant purchase order from a global mining company as it shifts its focus from research and testing toward commercial operations.

GACW said the order comes from a major global mining company operating in its focus region of Australia and Indonesia. The customer's name and the transaction details are being kept confidential. The company expects the Air Suspension Wheels tied to this order to be installed in the first quarter of 2027, subject to the customer's scheduling and operational requirements.

"This is an important milestone for Global Air Cylinder Wheels because it demonstrates that our continued efforts to bring the Air Suspension Wheel into commercial operation are producing results," said Harmen van Kamp, CEO and Co-Founder of Global Air Cylinder Wheels. "We have spent years developing and validating this technology, working with mining companies and demonstrating its potential to address some of the industry's most serious safety and operational challenges. Now we are seeing that work translate into growing customer demand and purchase orders."

A non-pneumatic alternative to OTR mining tires

GACW developed the ASW to replace the traditional tire, rim and chain assembly on off-the-road (OTR) mining vehicles. The company says the design addresses hazards associated with tire pressure, overheating, catastrophic failure and high-energy maintenance work. GACW reports 75 issued patents and more than 120 pending patent applications covering suspension, damping, tread and mechanical wheel technologies.

The company has generated $3.2 million in revenue from previous purchase orders, which it reinvested in research and development as it refined the wheel through successive engineering improvements and field-testing programs.

Shifting toward commercial execution

According to Van Kamp, GACW is now directing about 80% of its current effort toward commercial activities, including customer engagement, procurement discussions, manufacturing readiness and preparation for operational deployment.

"We are turning the page from a company primarily focused on developing and proving a new technology to one increasingly focused on commercial execution," Van Kamp said. "That does not mean our research and engineering work stops. We will always continue improving the Air Suspension Wheel. But our priorities are changing as we work to meet customer requirements, advance purchase orders, and establish the commercial operations needed to support broader adoption."

GACW said it continues discussions with other major mining companies interested in evaluating and potentially buying the ASW. Recent activity has included visits to multiple mine sites and work through the technical, operational and procurement steps required before new equipment can be approved for use at an active mine. Those steps can involve mine management, engineering teams, equipment operators, safety personnel, maintenance departments, procurement specialists and original equipment manufacturers.

The company said further customer announcements will follow as purchase orders, ownership transfers and deployments progress, subject to customer authorization and confidentiality requirements.

Recent milestones in Australia

The order follows GACW's 2026 People's Choice Safety Innovation Award at the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference, and the opening of its first operational Center of Excellence in Australia. GACW said the center supports customer relationships, technical evaluations and operational readiness as it expands its engagement with mining operators in Australia and Indonesia.

"The recognition we received in Queensland was especially meaningful because it came from people who understand mining operations and the safety challenges associated with conventional tires," Van Kamp said. "They recognize the importance of finding better ways to address these risks. That industry acceptance, combined with the commercial progress we are now achieving, gives us additional confidence as we continue moving forward."

"Our objective has always been to provide the mining industry with a safer, longer-lasting and more sustainable alternative to conventional tires," Van Kamp added. "We believe the progress we are making demonstrates that the industry increasingly recognizes the potential of this technology. We still have important work ahead, but we are achieving our milestones and building the commercial foundation for the next stage of Global Air Cylinder Wheels' growth."

Funding

GACW has launched a new Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) equity offering through StartEngine with a goal of raising up to $2.6 million. The company says it has previously raised more than $10.5 million through earlier Reg CF campaigns and private investments.

About Global Air Cylinder Wheels

Global Air Cylinder Wheels is an engineering company based in Phoenix, Arizona, that develops the Air Suspension Wheel for OTR mining vehicles and other heavy-duty applications. Since 2016, GACW has advanced its patented wheel technology through extensive testing and has current trials in the U.S. and Australia.