What KE2 Therm Solutions does

KE2 Therm Solutions is a Washington, Missouri-based developer and manufacturer of intelligent electronic controllers and accessories for commercial refrigeration systems, founded in 2009 by HVACR industry veteran Patrick Holdmeyer. The company's core technology is a suite of proprietary advanced control algorithms packaged in hardware controllers (KE2 Evap, KE2 Adaptive Control, KE2 Compressor Sequencer, KE2 Condenser and Condensing Unit controls), stepper-motor-driven Electronic Expansion Valves (KE2 RSV family), and communication/edge devices (KE2-EM Plus, Cell, Lite). A cloud-based subscription platform, KE2 SmartAccess, provides remote monitoring, alerting, and data logging for the installed base, and products integrate with building management systems via BACnet and Modbus.

The customer base spans four primary segments: food retailers (supermarkets, c-stores, restaurants) operating walk-in coolers and freezers; schools and educational institutions; HVAC/R contractors performing retrofit and service work; and OEM manufacturers of evaporators and walk-in boxes who specify KE2 controllers into new equipment. Named reference customers include the St. Louis Zoo, a McDonald's franchise in South Vancouver BC, and the School District of Washington. KE2 University provides a four-tier online training and certification program for technicians and contractors.

Monetization combines controller and accessory hardware sales (the largest stream), KE2 SmartAccess annual subscriptions for remote monitoring, and KE2 University training services. Distribution is hybrid: six Regional Sales Managers run direct field sales across defined US, East Canada, and Mexico/Latin America territories, complemented by an OEM Channel Manager and downstream contractor/wholesaler resellers. In May 2023 KE2 Therm was acquired by Distech Controls and now operates as a brand within Acuity Inc.'s (NYSE: AYI) Intelligent Spaces business segment, with founder Patrick Holdmeyer serving as Vice President & General Manager of the unit.

Name

KE2 Therm Solutions

Legal name

KE2 Therm Solutions, Inc.

Website

https://ke2therm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KE2 Therm Solutions designs and manufactures proprietary electronic controllers, electronic expansion valves, and cloud-monitoring hardware/software for commercial refrigeration walk-ins, serving food retailers, schools, HVACR contractors, and OEM manufacturers of refrigeration equipment across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Refrigeration Controls

NAICS

Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems (IMAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Commercial refrigeration controls
• Electronic expansion valves
• Evaporator efficiency controllers
• Refrigeration monitoring systems
• HVACR control solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Controllers: Sale of proprietary refrigeration controllers including evaporator controllers (KE2 Evap, KE2 Evap OEM, KE2 Low Temp, KE2 Adaptive Control), compressor sequencers, condenser fan controls, and condensing unit controls. Products sold as standalone controllers, panel assemblies, and retrofit kits.
2. Hardware Sales - Components and Accessories: Sale of supporting components including temperature sensors, pressure transducers, door switches, displays, wire harnesses, terminal boards, EC motor relays, and solid-state relays. Electronic Expansion Valves (EEVs) sold separately.
3. Communication and Connectivity Hardware: Sale of communication devices including KE2-EM Plus, KE2-EM Cell, KE2-EM Lite, KE2 Service Tool App kits, KE2 Switch, KE2 Wireless Sensors, and BACnet license upgrades.
4. Software Services - KE2 SmartAccess: Annual subscription license for KE2 SmartAccess remote monitoring and management portal. Provides personalized, secure access to KE2 Therm devices whether on-site or remote, at one location or multiple locations.
5. Education and Training - KE2 University: Online training platform offering courses on KE2 Therm controllers and communications solutions. Provides Level 1-4 certification for users to become familiar with control and monitoring solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KE2 Therm Solutions designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary electronic controllers, panels, and accessories for commercial refrigeration applications including walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, refrigerated cases, and condensing units. Its products provide energy-saving temperature and defrost control, superheat regulation via Electronic Expansion Valves (EEVs), adaptive defrost and fan management, and remote monitoring through the KE2 SmartAccess cloud platform. The portfolio is sold to OEM manufacturers, refrigeration contractors, wholesalers, and end-users across food retail, food service, schools, and other commercial environments in North America.

Product overview

KE2 Therm Solutions is a developer and manufacturer of intelligent refrigeration control solutions for commercial applications. The product portfolio consists of core temperature and defrost controllers (KE2 Evaporator Efficiency, KE2 Adaptive Control, KE2 Low Temp, KE2 Temp + Air Defrost, KE2 Temp + Valve Control), OEM controller boards and panels (KE2 Evap OEM, KE2 Compressor Sequencer OEM, KE2 Condenser Fan Control, KE2 Case Control), pre-configured UL-508 panels (KE2 Evap Panel, KE2 Compressor Panel, KE2 Condenser Panel, KE2 Environment Panel, KE2 Evap-RE2 Contactor Panel), connectivity and monitoring solutions (KE2 Edge Manager Plus/Cell/Lite, KE2 Service Tool App, KE2 SmartAccess cloud portal, KE2 Switch, KE2 Wireless Sensor), and accessories (KE2 RSV Electric Expansion Valves, displays, sensors, transducers). The ecosystem is unified through proprietary advanced control algorithms, with connectivity products enabling remote monitoring and management via the KE2 SmartAccess cloud platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KE2 Evaporator Efficiency (KE2 Evap) Flagship evaporator controller for walk-in freezers and coolers featuring remote monitoring, diagnostics, email/text alerts, energy savings, frost reduction, and optional EEV control for superheat regulation. Targeted at end-users, contractors, and OEMs in commercial refrigeration.
• KE2 Adaptive Control Controller for low and medium temperature refrigeration applications with energy-saving adaptive defrost and fan management for new or existing equipment. Replaces thermostat, fan delay, defrost time clock and termination device.
• KE2 Low Temp + Defrost Single-unit replacement for thermostat, fan delay, defrost time clock and termination device in low and medium temperature applications; ideal for contractor truck stock.
• KE2 Temp + Air Defrost Thermostat and air defrost timeclock combined in one controller with an easy-to-read digital display; designed for contractor truck stock use.
• KE2 Temp + Valve Control Temperature and air defrost controller that also drives an Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV), with alternate modes available for EEPR or EHGP valve control for pressure or temperature regulation.
• KE2 Evap OEM Evaporator control board with built-in communications, lead-lag control, humidity options, and energy savings designed for OEM integration into new refrigeration equipment.
• KE2 Compressor Sequencer OEM Provides advanced control and communications for small to mid-sized refrigeration racks, eliminating overly complicated controls designed for larger systems; targeted at OEM rack manufacturers.
• KE2 Condenser Fan Control Energy efficient condenser head pressure control via variable-speed or staging of up to 3 condenser fans or 3 banks of condenser fans; targeted at OEM condensing unit manufacturers.
• KE2 Case Control Optimal refrigerated case control providing energy savings, precise temperature, superheat control, frost reduction, and advanced communications for retail applications.
• KE2 Evap Panel (Single/Double) UL-508 panel integrating KE2 Evap OEM controller(s) with pre-wired harness, providing energy savings, precise temperature control, frost reduction, and communications capability. Single version serves one evaporator; Double version enables lead/lag redundant systems.
• KE2 Compressor Panel Panel providing advanced control and communications for small to mid-sized refrigeration racks with 3 or 8 stages of loading through onboard relays; supports fixed speed compressor, digital scroll compressor, and hot gas defrost relay configurations.
• KE2 Condenser Panel Energy efficient, variable-speed control of up to 14 fans across one or two refrigeration circuits, with floating head pressure, VFD, and EC Motor control options.
• KE2 Environment Panel Maintains both temperature and humidity with outputs for humidifier, dehumidifier, heat/reheat, and more. Unique algorithm adjusts superheat based on humidity for vegetables, fruits, meats, ripening rooms, curing rooms, and wine storage.
• KE2 Condensing Unit Control Controls suction pressure and head pressure for refrigeration condensing units with single compressor and one or two condenser fans; provides VDC output for variable speed EC motors and includes low ambient start mode and compressor protection.
• KE2 Edge Manager Plus / KE2 Edge Manager Cell (KE2-EM Plus / KE2-EM Cell) Communication device that automatically finds multiple KE2 Therm devices at a location, providing a dashboard, alerts, Wi-Fi, remote access, data logs, and graphs. Plus version supports Ethernet and ModBus; Cell version includes cellular connectivity. BACnet gateway license available.
• KE2 Edge Manager Lite (KE2-EM Lite) Entry-level communication device for KE2 Therm devices providing dashboard, alerts, and remote access functionality.
• KE2 SmartAccess Personalized, secure cloud portal for accessing and monitoring KE2 Therm devices on-site or remotely at one or multiple locations. Provides email/text alerts, data logging, and graphing capabilities. Sold as an annual subscription license (PN 21106).
• KE2 Service Tool App Mobile application that turns a smart device temporarily into a KE2-Edge Manager Wi-Fi service tool, providing field access to KE2 Therm controllers for configuration and diagnostics.
• KE2 RSV Electric Expansion Valves High precision, stepper motor actuated Electric Expansion Valve (EEV) designed specifically for refrigeration applications. Available in RSV 100, 130, 220, 320, 400, 550, and 650 sizes.
• KE2 Switch Ethernet switch (8 or 16 port) forming the foundation of the local refrigeration network by facilitating communications between Ethernet-based KE2 Therm controllers.
• KE2 Wireless Sensor Precision digital temperature and humidity sensor that communicates with KE2 Edge Manager for dashboarding, data logs, graphing, and alerts.
• KE2 Terminal Board Simplifies and standardizes controller wiring for evaporator installations with built-in fuses providing added protection to controller relays.
• Pressure Transducers Reliably and accurately measures high and low side system pressures critical to effective operation of KE2 Therm controls. Available in ranges from 0-150 psia to 0-1000 psig.
• Temperature Sensors NTC Thermistor assemblies designed to meet rigorous demands of refrigeration applications with fast response times and accurate readings. Available in various lengths and colors.
• Door Switch Door switch providing increased energy efficiency, more stable product temperature, and effective prevention of coil freeze-ups.
• KE2 Combo Display Multi-function display acting as temperature display, lighting control, panic alarm, temperature alarm, and door controller. Can be used standalone or with 1 or 2 KE2 Evap OEM controls.
• KE2 University Online training platform making it simple to become familiar with KE2 Therm's control and communication solutions through structured Level 1–4 learning paths.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduction in unnecessary defrost cycles and associated energy consumption
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Distech ControlscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Distech Controls acquired KE2 Therm Solutions in May 2023. KE2 Therm operates as a brand within Distech Controls and is part of the Acuity Intelligent Spaces business segment. The acquisition integrated KE2 Therm's refrigeration solutions within ISG's vision of complete edge to cloud solutions for better building management. Patrick Holdmeyer (Founder and VP&GM) joined the Leadership Teams of Distech and Intelligent Spaces Group to guide the integration.
• Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKE2 Therm Solutions is a brand within Distech Controls and part of the Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) business segment of Acuity Inc. Acuity is a market-leading industrial technology company that uses technology to solve problems in spaces and light. The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia with operations across North America, Europe and Asia, powered by approximately 13,000 associates.
• Distech ControlscoreTechnology or IntegrationDistech Controls connects people with intelligent building solutions through building management systems (BMS), refrigeration controls, sensors, and software. For over 30 years, their open technology has made spaces smarter, safer, and greener by focusing on end user outcomes. KE2 Therm's products integrate with Distech's ecosystem for comprehensive building management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carel Industries: Italian-headquartered specialist in electronic controllers for HVAC and commercial refrigeration, including walk-in and case controls with remote monitoring. Closest international pure-play peer to KE2 in product and channel.
• Parker Hannifin (Sporlan): Sporlan division of Parker Hannifin is a legacy supplier of refrigeration valves, EEVs, and control components directly comparable to KE2's EEV and superheat control offerings; multiple KE2 team members came from Sporlan.
• Dixell (Emerson): Now part of Emerson, Dixell/Eliwell is a long-established maker of digital refrigeration controllers for cases, walk-ins, and condensing units — directly overlapping KE2's core temperature and defrost controller SKUs.

Broad incumbents

• Danfoss: Global leader in refrigeration controls, compressors, and electronic expansion valves for commercial and industrial refrigeration. Directly competes with KE2 across controllers and EEVs but operates at far greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Johnson Controls: Global building automation giant whose Metasys/Facility Explorer platforms integrate HVAC and refrigeration control. Competes with KE2 through broader BMS offerings and via acquired YORK refrigeration assets in food retail.
• Hussmann (Panasonic): Panasonic-owned Hussmann supplies refrigerated display cases and integrated control systems for food retail. Comparable to KE2 at the OEM/customer interface, particularly for supermarket and c-store walk-in and case controllers.
• Heatcraft Refrigeration Products (Lennox): Heatcraft manufactures commercial refrigeration systems and integrated controls for supermarkets and foodservice. Competes with KE2 through packaged refrigeration units that bundle controls, putting pressure on standalone controller OEMs.
• Emerson (Copeland): Through Copeland and its Climate Technologies segment, Emerson manufactures refrigeration controls, compressors, and supermarket system controls. Overlaps with KE2 on electronic controllers and case/walk-in control systems for food retail.
• Honeywell: Honeywell Building Technologies offers HVAC/refrigeration control hardware and BMS platforms. Comparable to KE2 in commercial building controls but with much broader portfolio and global enterprise footprint.

Others

• Distech Controls: Parent company and strategic acquirer of KE2. Operates in building automation and HVAC controls with BACnet/Modbus platforms; serves as both integration partner and adjacent competitor for unified building and refrigeration control.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/ke2therm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ke2-therm-solutions-inc-
• Xx.com/KE2Therm
• Facebookfacebook.com/2260983007

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KE2 Therm Solutions