Client Spotlight – AJ Manufacturing
Partnership Profile
Cleanroom and air outlet innovator AJ Manufacturing grows with new markets—and capital from Country Club Bank
Rob Haake didn’t always see himself leading the family business. But today, as CEO of AJ Manufacturing, he’s at the helm of one of Kansas City’s most innovative and fastest-growing cleanroom and air outlet manufacturers.
What started as a modest operation with under $1 million in revenue is now a $40 million company with plans for even more expansion and growth in the coming years.
“My dad bought the company in 1974,” Haake said. “I worked here in high school and college, but like many kids, I left to try something different. Eventually, I came back, and it was a perfect match. My dad was the technical mind, and I brought the sales and business development side.”
The partnership and collaboration have worked well. Today, AJ Manufacturing employs more than 100 people across two Kansas City facilities. It serves customers around the globe—from the Middle East to South America to newly opened markets in Australia.
The company specializes in cleanroom and operating room ceiling systems installed in hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, and electronics manufacturers. AJ’s reputation and business are expanding rapidly in this space.
But scaling any business requires more than vision, marketing, and sales; it requires capital. That’s where Country Club Bank has made a difference.
“Country Club Bank has been a crucial part of our growth story, especially over the last five years,” said Haake. “They’ve financed our moves, helped us build a whole new factory, and supported us through multiple equipment upgrades. And now, as our ceiling system business grows, they’re helping us gear up for even more expansion.”
Beyond the numbers, the relationship is rooted in years of personal trust and shared values.
“I’ve known many of their people for years because of their commitment to the community, like Dan Teahan, Chris Thompson, and Jeff Whelan,” said Haake. “It’s comfortable when I call because I don’t feel like just another customer; they make me feel like their only customer.”
Haake also serves on the bank’s south region advisory board and has experienced Country Club Bank's operations firsthand.
“The operation runs like a Swiss watch, how they manage risk, communicate with transparency, and stay open to new ideas. It gives me total confidence in our future together,” said Haake.
That future is looking bright. AJ is actively growing its healthcare ceiling systems division and is already outgrowing its current footprint. The company is in talks to expand one key facility, adding more space and equipment to meet rising demand. New strategic partnerships are also driving higher volumes, and the team recently added two new salespeople to keep up with opportunities.
“There’s so much momentum right now,” Haake said. “We’ll need more people, more space, more support. And I know Country Club Bank will be right there with us. They’ve always believed in us—even when we were smaller—and now they’re helping us take the next leap.”
For Haake, the relationship isn’t just about banking but shared ambition and mutual respect.
“They care about our success, listen, follow through,” said Haake. “It’s good people helping each other, and that’s the partner you want in your corner.”