Akron Brass

What Akron Brass does

Akron Brass Company, founded in 1918 and headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDEX Fire & Safety (part of IDEX Corporation, NYSE: IEX) and a manufacturer of high-performance firefighting equipment with over a century of operating history. The company designs and produces a broad portfolio spanning portable and apparatus-mounted nozzles, monitors, valves, scene lighting, fittings and adapters, vehicle electronics (including the V-MUX multiplexing system), and the SAM (Smart Automatic Monitoring) integrated water-control platform, which automates pump and waterflow operations traditionally performed via mechanical gauges. The Weldon division extends the portfolio into lighting and vehicle electronics, while the Captium cloud platform aggregates apparatus and extrication-tool telemetry across the IDEX Fire & Safety brand family.

Akron Brass sells primarily through an authorized dealer network supplemented by direct e-commerce on its own website and OEM integration into fire apparatus manufactured by truck builders. Pricing is published at the SKU level (typical unit prices $1,000-$3,500 for nozzles, monitors, and valves) with net-30 terms for approved credit customers. End customers are segmented vertically into municipal and volunteer fire departments (primary), industrial operators (refineries, chemical plants, mining), airports and transportation fleets, government agencies, and OEM apparatus manufacturers. Distribution is supported by an in-house service and repair operation with RMA-based returns.

The company's strategic positioning has shifted from pure mechanical hardware to connected firefighting: the SAM platform, Captium data layer, and partnerships with Qwake Technologies (C-THRU helmet), Lexipol (industry research), and Catapult XR (immersive training) extend the addressable surface into software-adjacent and recurring-revenue categories, though monetization of these layers remains early and Akron Brass's economics are still anchored in one-time hardware sales tied to municipal apparatus refresh cycles.

Name

Akron Brass

Legal name

Akron Brass Company

Website

https://akronbrass.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Akron Brass, founded in 1918 and headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, manufactures high-performance firefighting hardware — nozzles, monitors, valves, scene lighting, and the SAM automated water-control platform — serving municipal fire departments, industrial facilities, airports, and OEM apparatus builders as a subsidiary of IDEX Fire & Safety.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wooster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Firefighting Hardware Equipment Sales: Akron Brass generates revenue primarily through the direct sale of physical firefighting equipment including nozzles, monitors, valves, scene lighting, fittings, adapters, vehicle electronics, and related accessories. Products are sold as one-time purchases with pricing varying by product type and configuration. The company also sells parts and accessories separately, and offers repair and service through its factory service center.
2. Aftermarket Parts & Accessories: Separate sale of replacement parts, accessories, and consumables for installed firefighting equipment. Parts carry a 90-day warranty and are available through the parts and accessories section of the website.
3. Service & Repair: Factory repair services offered to authorized dealers and end users through an RMA process. Repair returns may be subject to a repair estimate fee, waived if the repair is performed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Akron Brass designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance firefighting equipment for municipal fire departments, industrial fire protection, OEM fire apparatus builders, and airport/transportation operators. Its product range spans handline nozzles, portable and apparatus monitors, valves, scene lighting, fittings and adapters, vehicle electronics (V-MUX, Weldon), and the proprietary SAM integrated waterflow control platform. The company also supplies aftermarket parts and factory repair services through authorized dealers and its own service center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAM: SAM (Sensor and Automation Management) integrated waterflow control system and Smart Nozzle technology
• SAM BOOST
• SAM Smart Nozzle
• Captium
• V-MUX

Products and services

• Handline Nozzles (e.g., Mid-Range Assault, ProVenger Selectable Gallonage, Turbojet) Handline firefighting nozzles with selectable gallonage and pressure options, including the Mid-Range Assault (1.5" NH, 150 GPM @75 PSI, $1,124), ProVenger Selectable Gallonage (1.5" NH, 100 PSI, $1,062), and Turbojet (1.5" NH, 100 PSI, $1,308). Sold to fire departments, industrial operators, and OEMs.
• Portable Monitors (e.g., Mercury Quick Attack LE) Portable fire monitors for direct attack and large-flow deployment; Mercury Quick Attack LE Portable Monitor listed at $3,280. Used by fire departments and industrial fire protection operators for portable waterflow delivery.
• Apparatus Monitors Vehicle-mounted fire monitors integrated into fire apparatus. Used by fire apparatus OEMs and departments for deck-mounted, elevated, or fixed waterflow delivery on fire trucks.
• Apparatus Valves (e.g., Style 7982 Revolution Intake Valve) Intake, discharge, and pressure control valves for fire apparatus; Style 7982 Revolution Intake Valve (30° swivel, 5" Storz inlet, 6" long handle female swivel outlet) listed at $3,454. Sold to OEMs and fire departments.
• Portable Valves & Wyes (e.g., Leader Line Wye) Portable valves and wyes for hose line splitting and flow control; Leader Line Wye (2.5" female inlet by two 1.5" male outlets, NH thread) listed at $1,030.
• Revel Scout Portable LED Emergency Scene Light Battery-powered portable LED emergency scene light for first responders, designed for portable operation at incident scenes. Listed at $2,456.
• V-MUX Vehicle Multiplexing System Multiplexing control system for fire apparatus vehicles that enables integrated electronic management of vehicle lighting, monitoring, and electrical systems. Sold to OEMs and fleet operators.
• Weldon Vehicle Lighting & Electronics Weldon division products including LED Series lighting, V-Mux multiplexing, DTD Nodes, UV Displays, ES-Key Nodes, and Vista Screens, manufactured in Columbus, OH. Targeted at OEMs integrating lighting and electronics into fire apparatus.
• SAM BOOST Waterflow Control System Automated flow control system that places core water control capabilities at the end of hose lines, allowing firefighters to control flow directly from the nozzle. Part of the SAM Integrated Total Water Control platform; demonstrated at FDIC 2024.
• SAM Smart Nozzle 2.0 Next-generation smart nozzle with integrated display controls and smart pressure management, ensuring consistent water delivery with visual alerts and real-time data for incident commanders and operators. Major version update of the SAM Smart Nozzle launched in 2025.
• Flat Out Assault Ring Kit Field-installable upgrade kit for select Akron Brass Assault nozzles that adds a flat disperse discharge pattern for controlled, linear water coverage. Designed for exterior attack, wildland, and transitional firefighting operations, integrating with SAM and Smart Nozzle systems with no permanent modification or retraining required.
• Fittings & Adapters Hose fittings, adapters, and couplings used to connect and adapt firefighting hose lines and equipment. Sold to fire departments, OEMs, and industrial buyers.
• Parts & Accessories Replacement parts, accessories, and consumables for installed Akron Brass firefighting equipment. Parts carry a 90-day warranty and are available through the parts and accessories section of the website.
• Factory Repair & Service Factory repair services offered to authorized dealers and end users through an RMA process. Repair returns may be subject to a repair estimate fee, waived if the repair is performed. Available through the Akron Brass factory service center.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAM Challenge demonstrations at FDIC showed significant time savings and intuitive operation compared to traditional mechanical fire truck pumping operations.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Qwake TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025SAM Waterflow (IDEX Fire & Safety) partnered with Qwake Technologies to showcase the intersection of their technologies at FDIC 2025. Together they developed 'The Best Damn Job' video showcasing C-THRU helmet technology and SAM waterflow systems. Qwake develops C-THRU, an advanced fire helmet system that enhances visibility in zero-visibility environments. Akron Brass's SAM platform integrates with the broader connected firefighting ecosystem demonstrated in these joint showcases.
• LexipolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025IDEX Fire & Safety partnered with Lexipol, a public safety software and training company, to conduct a joint survey research study on the future of firefighting and the role of technology. Nearly 700 firefighters were surveyed, with findings published as 'Lexipol and IDEX Fire & Safety Results - Q1 2025'. The partnership also supports recruitment efforts for the firefighting industry.
• Catapult XRminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IDEX Fire & Safety partnered with Catapult XR to modernize firefighter training and inspire future leaders in emergency response through immersive extended reality (XR) training solutions.
• iEmpathizeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024IDEX Fire & Safety partnered with iEmpathize, a non-profit organization, to support first responders in recognizing and helping eradicate child exploitation and human trafficking through specialized training courses.
• Fire Department CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFire Department Coffee, a fire service-focused coffee brand, participated in the SAM Challenge at FDIC 2024, with Jason Patton providing commentary during the live demonstration of SAM technology vs. traditional pumping operations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@akronbrassvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/AKRONBRASS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akron-brass-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/akronbrasscompany
• Xx.com/akronbrass

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Akron Brass