Holman

About Holman

Holman Enterprises began in 1924 when Rice & Holman opened a Ford dealership in Merchantville, New Jersey. Over the following century, the company grew into a global automotive services organization spanning fleet management, vehicle acquisition, upfitting, insurance, and parts distribution. The commercial vehicle equipment side of the business came through the acquisition of Kargo Master — a manufacturer of van shelving, ladder racks, and partitions that had been supplying tradespeople and fleets for decades. Kargo Master joined Holman in 2017 and rebranded under the Holman name in March 2022.

The rebrand unified all Holman business units under one name, but the products themselves didn't change. Holman's van shelving still uses the same 16-gauge side panels, 18-gauge shelving, and folded steel lip that made Kargo Master the default choice for commercial fleet managers. The ladder racks still go through the same SAE and ASTM manufacturing processes. And all existing Kargo Master hardware, wing kits, accessories, and replacement parts remain fully compatible with current Holman products.

Holman is also the exclusive North American distributor of Daken van security locks — a European lock brand engineered specifically for cargo van doors, covering three product lines (Saturn Go, Saturn Evo, Blackstone) across multiple configurations. The Daken partnership makes Holman one of the few van upfit brands that covers security hardware, interior organization, roof access, and floor protection from a single manufacturer.

Holman Van Shelving — What Makes It Different

The claim you'll hear most often about Holman shelving is that the folded steel shelf lip is the strongest in the industry. That's a structural detail that matters in practice: a thicker, folded lip distributes load across the full depth of the shelf rather than concentrating stress at the edge, which is where cheaper shelves fail when heavy toolboxes or parts bins are loaded and unloaded repeatedly. The 16-gauge side panels and gusseted end panels reinforce the same principle — these are shelves built to take punishment from daily commercial use, not warehouse display.

The folding shelf line takes the opposite approach by design. Aluminum construction and fold-flat geometry are the priorities, because parcel delivery operations and courier services need maximum open floor space between stops — not fixed shelving that permanently occupies wall space. At 150 lbs. per shelf, the folding shelves are rated for meaningful load capacity while folded uprights minimize the floor footprint during loading.

Holman's van packages bundle shelving, mount kits, and trade-appropriate accessories into a single, pre-matched order. For fleet managers outfitting multiple vans to the same standard, packages eliminate the risk of ordering incompatible components and simplify procurement. For individual tradespeople, they provide a tested starting configuration that can be expanded with accessories as workflow needs evolve.

Holman Equipment by Van Model

• Ford Transit
• Ford Transit Connect
• RAM ProMaster
• RAM ProMaster City
• Mercedes Sprinter
• Mercedes Metris
• Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana
• Nissan NV

Frequently Asked Questions — Holman

Is Holman the same as Kargo Master?

Yes. Kargo Master joined Holman Enterprises in 2017 and officially rebranded as Holman in March 2022. The products are unchanged — only the name changed. All existing Kargo Master shelving, partitions, and ladder racks are fully compatible with current Holman accessories, wing kits, and replacement parts.

What is the difference between Holman steel shelving and Holman folding shelves?

Steel shelving units use 16-gauge side panels and 18-gauge shelving with a folded steel lip and gusseted end panels — built for tradespeople who carry heavy equipment and need permanent, load-bearing interior storage. Folding shelves are aluminum with powder-coated steel uprights, fold flat when not in use, and are rated at 150 lbs. per shelf — designed for parcel delivery and courier operations where flexible floor access is the priority. The right choice depends on whether you need fixed organized storage or adaptable cargo space.

What is the difference between Holman steel partitions and composite partitions?

Steel partitions (18-gauge, matte powder-coat, rubber-cushioned frame) are available in solid, perforated, and windowed configurations and offer maximum durability. 3-panel steel partitions include a built-in hinge for a pass-through door. Composite partitions use ribbed ABS construction — lighter than steel, color-matched to your van interior, and designed for a clean OEM look. Both accept Holman accessories and integrate with Holman van packages. Choose steel for maximum durability; choose composite for weight savings and aesthetics.

What is the Holman Pro Rack?

The Pro Rack is Holman's heavy-duty ladder rack for full-size pickup trucks, service bodies, and platform bodies — the evolution of the Pro II series. It features thick round tubes with extensive gusseting, up to 1,000 lbs. capacity, a swing-out rear crossbar, optional forklift-loadable side rails, and adjustable front leg mounting for short-bed and crew cab fitment. Available for Ford F-150, F-250/350, Chevy Silverado, RAM 1500/2500, and more, in configurations for standard pickup beds, truck caps, and service bodies.

What are Daken locks and why are they sold through Holman?

Daken is a European van security lock brand exclusively distributed through Holman's dealer network in North America. Three lines are available: Saturn Go (zamak alloy, manual deadbolt, 15-minute install, budget-friendly), Saturn Evo (stainless steel 304, precision locking mechanism, premium finish), and Blackstone (Slam and Combo configurations for rear and sliding doors). All are designed to provide forced-entry resistance beyond factory door locks for tradespeople and fleet operators. Upfit Supply carries all three Daken lines.

What van models does Holman equipment fit?

Holman makes vehicle-specific equipment for the Ford Transit, Ford Transit Connect, RAM ProMaster, RAM ProMaster City, Mercedes Sprinter, Mercedes Metris, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana. Partitions and ladder racks in particular require selecting your exact van model, wheelbase, and roof height before ordering.

Are Holman shelving packages compatible with Holman partitions and ladder racks?

Yes — Holman's entire van product lineup is designed to integrate. Van packages include pre-matched shelving, mount kits, and accessories for your specific van model and trade. If building a custom upfit, confirm van model and roof height when ordering partitions and ladder racks, as configurations are vehicle-specific.