Journey of humble beginnings
We're not just connecting systems—we’re connecting with people. Every solution we build is designed to empower the teams behind it, helping them achieve more.
History
Everyone has a story
Every journey has a beginning—here's ours. Explore the milestones, challenges, and memorable moments that have shaped our story and brought us to where we are today.
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1977
1986
1998
1999
2013
2016
2019
2020
2023
1977
The beginning
Norman Ambrose, a steel broker from Kansas, founded Ambrose Sales with his wife Ellie. They started out with a secondhand pickup truck for their deliveries and a knack for building strong relationships. Ambrose secured its first customer, Milbank Manufacturing, who is still a valued customer today.
1986
Introducing Ambrose Packaging
Recognizing a gap in our customers end-of-line packaging solutions, we expand our offerings and launch Ambrose Packaging—providing customers with the equipment they need to streamline operations and drive efficiency.
1998
Expanding horizons with Excellart
Ambrose acquires Excellart, a leading supplier of standard and custom aluminum extrusions, based in Fredonia, Kansas. This acquisition expands our metals capabilities and brings us into the sign industry.
1999
Breaking Ground in Olathe
Our new headquarters is built and opened in Olathe, KS, integrating our metals and packaging sales businesses along with a Service Department and Customer Response Team to best support our customers.
2013
Level Up in Innovation
Ambrose expands its offerings include systems automation, robotics, and palletizing solutions, taking innovation to the next level—empowering customers with smarter, faster, and more connected operations.
2016
All Under One Roof
Excellart operations are moved to the Olathe headquarters, consolidating our resources, strengthening our expertise, and creating new opportunities.
2019
Turnkey solutions take shape
With a major expansion, Ambrose becomes a full-system integrator, delivering end-to-end solutions, including bulk solids and liquid filling solutions, complete packaging lines, custom robotic applications.
2020
Growth in engineering & project management
To better serve our partners, we expand our engineering and project management teams—reinforcing our commitment to delivering seamless, scalable, and custom-tailored automation solutions.
2023
Innovation on the horizon
Ambrose opens the doors to our Internal Acceptance Testing facility at our Olathe headquarters, positioning Ambrose at the forefront of automation and material handling innovation.
"... it’s built on trust, empathy, and shared experiences. Through those, individuals experience profound transformations. We learn to trust ourselves and others, communicate more effectively, and navigate the complexities of life with greater resilience."
Matt Ambrose
President & CEO
Connection has always been at the heart of what we do. Our story began in 1977 with Norman Ambrose, a steel broker who built trusted relationships through persistence, integrity, and a commitment to treating every customer like they were his only one. What started with a secondhand truck and a handshake has grown into a decades-long legacy of putting people first.
For nearly 50 years, we’ve evolved alongside our customers, driven by a simple yet powerful philosophy: choose people over profit, every time. From our early partnerships in metals to launching innovative packaging solutions in the 1980s and expanding into automation, we’ve always prioritized relationships, ensuring our partners feel supported at every step.
Today, we continue to listen, collaborate, and innovate. By connecting people, processes, and technology, we create smarter, faster, and more efficient operations. Together with our partners, we transform challenges into opportunities and build solutions that don’t just work but empower teams to thrive.
Giving back
Giving back
Rooted in community, inspired by legacy
We are proud to host the Greg Ambrose Charity Classic, an annual event dedicated to helping families affected by pediatric cancer. Since its inception in 2017, this event has raised over $350,000 for organizations like Family Reach and Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, directly supporting families in need. We honor Greg Ambrose’s legacy by creating meaningful impact and lasting change, one family at a time.
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Community
Inspiring the next generation of innovators
Inspiring the next generation of innovators means fostering curiosity, creativity, and a passion for solving real-world challenges. We provide mentorship, resources, and opportunities to explore new ideas, aiming to empower future leaders to push boundaries and shape a brighter, more innovative future.
Become a part of our legacy
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A couple of our own enjoying cornhole during Employee Appreciation Day. Is that a victory dance or an attempt to distract the opposition? We’ll never know.
Norman expresses heartfelt gratitude to one of the greats, Wesley, for 33 years of dedicated service to Ambrose during his retirement celebration.
Garrett, Design Engineer, enjoys another hard day’s work (with some fun) at our IAT facility.
Coworkers that run together, win together. Forrest, Ped, John, and Chris after completing a 5K Trail Run in Lawrence.
Celebrating the Fourth of July the Ambrose way—with a laidback barbecue for employees and their families. Special shoutout to our talented in-house pitmasters and their mouthwatering creations!
Teamwork makes the dreamwork! Coworkers collaborating to solve a challenge on Employee Appreciation Day.
Michael, Norman, and Matt congratulate Shana, our VP of Operations, on winning “The Norm Award” at our End of the Year Party. This award honors an employee each year who bolsters family culture in our amazing workplace.
Engineering takes a team building day at Boulevard Brewery in KCMO.
Celebrating life’s milestones is what we do best—like during this surprise baby shower.
"From the very beginning, I realized that I certainly couldn’t do anything all by myself. And if I wanted to grow, I needed good people around me. We were very fortunate to have some really, really good people. They stayed with us and did what we needed them to do, but I think they also enjoyed themselves."
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Founder
