IBT, Inc

What IBT, Inc does

IBT Industrial Solutions is a privately-held, third-generation family-owned industrial distributor and systems integrator founded in 1949 by Forrest L. and Bonnie Cloud as Industrial Bearing and Transmission Co., headquartered in Merriam, Kansas, and led today by President and CEO Jeff Cloud. The company operates 38 branch locations across the U.S. Midwest (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina), with a major Kansas City industrial hose and belt fabrication warehouse stocking over $1 million in hose and fittings. IBT distributes bearings, mechanical power transmission, conveyor belting and pulleys, electric motors, hydraulics and pneumatics, industrial hose (including 3-A sanitary food/dairy hose), grain-specific equipment, safety supplies, lubrication systems, and general industrial MRO consumables through direct field sales, inside sales, and the ShopIBT.com e-commerce storefront with PunchOut, EDI, and Purchase Order Export enterprise integrations.

Beyond product distribution, IBT operates as a systems integrator providing engineering services including custom conveyor belt fabrication (vulcanization up to 72-inch width), hose fabrication with proof testing to 24,000 PSI, hydraulic repair and remanufacturing, automation systems integration with in-house PLC/HMI programming, robotics integration (including cobots), conveying systems engineering, motion control, predictive maintenance (vibration analysis, motion amplification, infrared electrical inspections), automatic lubrication system services, and Lawler Gearing gearbox/reverse-engineering services with in-house die, CNC, and water-jet cutting. The IBT Learning Lab delivers in-person technical training programs in bearings, power transmission, electrical, and hydraulics.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time industrial product sales supplemented by professional services revenue from engineering, maintenance/repair, and training. GTM motion combines enterprise field sales at branches, inside sales by product category, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and channel partnerships with AD (Affiliated Distributors), Supply Force (Fortune 1000 MRO reach via 2,500+ branches), GEAPS, MHEDA, PTDA, and other trade associations. Primary vertical is grain and agriculture, with secondary presence in aggregate/mining, food/beverage processing, general manufacturing, construction, energy, chemical processing, warehousing/distribution, and aerospace. In July 2026, IBT acquired Indesco, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) to extend its Southeast footprint beyond the Midwest base.

Name

IBT, Inc

Legal name

IBT Industrial Solutions

Website

https://ibtinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IBT Industrial Solutions is a family-owned industrial distributor and systems integrator founded in 1949, operating 38 Midwest branches and ShopIBT.com to sell bearings, power transmission, conveyor, hydraulic, hose, and MRO products alongside engineering, automation, robotics, and predictive maintenance services to grain, manufacturing, mining, and food processing customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices39 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Product Distribution: Sale of industrial products including bearings, power transmission components, conveyor belting, hydraulics, industrial hose, material handling equipment, safety supplies, electrical components, tools, and MRO supplies through direct sales and e-commerce channels.
2. Engineering & Technical Services: Custom engineering services for automation systems, robotics integration, conveying systems, and motion control. Services include design, installation coordination, PLC programming, and project management.
3. Maintenance & Repair Services: On-site and in-shop repair services for conveyor belts, hydraulic systems, industrial hose, gearboxes, and predictive maintenance including vibration analysis and infrared inspections.
4. Training Services: Technical training programs including Bearing and Power Transmission Academy, Electrical Training, Hydraulic Training 101 and 102, offered at headquarters or on-site at customer locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IBT, Inc. (IBT Industrial Solutions) is an industrial distributor and systems integrator that supplies bearings, power transmission products, hydraulics, motors, conveyor belts, safety supplies, and tools to industrial customers, while also providing engineering services including automation, robotics, conveying systems, motion control, predictive maintenance, conveyor belt fabrication, hydraulic repair, hose fabrication, and gearbox services. The company combines product distribution with technical engineering and on-site service delivery across 38 Midwest locations.

Product overview

IBT Industrial Solutions is a full-service industrial distributor and solutions provider offering over 75 years of expertise in industrial products and services. The company operates a diversified portfolio consisting of core product categories (bearings, power transmission, hydraulics, pneumatics, conveyors, motors, safety supplies, and general industrial products) sold through both a physical branch network and the ShopIBT.com e-commerce platform. Beyond products, IBT provides extensive engineering and technical services including conveyor belt services and modification, hydraulic repair, industrial hose fabrication, automation systems integration, robotics integration, conveying systems engineering, motion control, predictive maintenance services (vibration analysis, motion amplification, infrared inspections), gearbox and gearing services, specialty machining, and in-person training programs through the IBT Learning Lab. The company serves diverse industries including aerospace, aggregate/mining, agriculture, chemical processing, construction, energy, ethanol, food/beverage, general manufacturing, grain, and warehousing/distribution across 38 Midwest locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ShopIBT: Online e-commerce platform for purchasing industrial products
• IBT PrimeMOVER Blog
• IBT Learning Lab
• IBT Advantage Program
• IBT Bearing and Power Transmission Academy
• IBT Hydraulic Training Academy

Products and services

• Industrial MRO Supplies Distribution Distribution of bearings, power transmission products, hydraulics, motors, conveyor belts, safety supplies, and tools to industrial manufacturing and processing customers across the Midwest.
• Automation Systems Integration Engineering, design, and integration of industrial automation systems for manufacturing and processing facilities seeking to upgrade operations.
• Robotics Integration Robotics system design and integration services for industrial customers implementing automated production and material handling solutions.
• Conveying Systems Design, engineering, and delivery of conveying systems for industrial manufacturing and processing operations.
• Motion Control Systems Motion control system engineering and implementation for industrial customers requiring precise equipment control.
• Conveyor Belt Fabrication Custom fabrication of conveyor belts for industrial customers' material handling and processing operations.
• Hydraulic Repair Services Repair and remanufacturing of hydraulic components and systems for industrial customers to minimize equipment downtime.
• Hose Fabrication Custom hose fabrication services for industrial customers requiring tailored hydraulic and fluid handling solutions.
• Gearbox Services Service and repair of industrial gearboxes for manufacturing and processing customers.
• Predictive Maintenance Services Predictive maintenance services to monitor industrial equipment and prevent unplanned downtime for manufacturing and processing customers.
• Industrial Training Training services for industrial customers on the operation, maintenance, and safety of supplied equipment and systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimize costly downtime through emergency repair and replacement services and predictive maintenance capabilities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic acquisition, core and minor.

• Indesco, Inc.strategic acquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026IBT acquired Indesco, Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina-based industrial distributor specializing in industrial distribution. This acquisition expands IBT's Southeast industrial distribution presence.
• AD (Affiliated Distributors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIBT is an Owner-Member of AD, a community of growth-minded independent distributors and best-in-class supplier partners. Through collaboration, shared expertise, and strong relationships, AD helps IBT compete more effectively, stay ahead of industry trends, and deliver greater value to customers.
• BSA (Bearing Specialists Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing to promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors. BSA serves and represents firms that, as authorized distributors, stock and sell factory-warranted ball, roller, and other anti-friction bearings.
• GEAPS (Grain Elevator and Processing Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEAPS is an international professional association of individuals who work in the grain handling and processing industry. Since 1930, GEAPS has fostered leadership, innovation and excellence in grain-related industry operations. IBT actively participates in GEAPS Exchange events.
• MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHEDA is dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community. For nearly 70 years, MHEDA has provided material handling companies and their employees with business resources, leadership training, networking opportunities, benchmarking data, career development tools and insights on the latest industry trends.
• INFRA (formerly MLPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfra represents Missouri's stone, sand, and gravel producers—an industry employing 2,500 people with over $70M in annual payroll. Members include producers, mining operations, and suppliers. Infra advocates on state and federal issues impacting employment, safety, highway funding, taxation, and environmental regulation.
• NAHAD (Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAHAD ensures that all members have access to the information, news, resources, and tools needed to thrive in the hose and hose accessory industries. They are responsible for the Annual Conference and all other efforts that build a strong and supportive community.
• NIBA (National Industrial Belting Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIBA is dedicated to promoting the interaction between value-added distributors and manufacturers of conveyor belt components to improve technology, services and business practices to better serve the end users of conveyor systems.
• PTDA (Power Transmission Distributors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTDA is the leading trade association for the industrial power transmission/motion control distribution channel. PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably.
• Supply ForcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupply Force delivers multi-category MRO solutions to large Fortune 1000 companies through a network of 200+ trusted local and regional distributors with more than 2,500 branch locations. This ensures that each customer plant location gets the highest levels of service and support at the lowest total cost.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kaman Distribution Group: Industrial distribution business historically focused on bearings, power transmission, and fluid power across multiple US regions. Closely comparable to IBT's product mix and mid-market customer profile, with a multi-region branch model.
• Motion Industries: One of the largest industrial distributors in North America, with deep focus on bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial MRO supplies. Directly comparable to IBT's core product mix and customer base, though at significantly larger scale.
• MSC Industrial Direct: Direct competitor in metalworking and MRO distribution, serving industrial customers with broad product catalogs and proprietary brands. Overlaps heavily with IBT in customer profile and product categories but operates nationally with a heavier digital/commercial emphasis.
• DXP Enterprises: Industrial distributor focused on rotating equipment, bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and MRO services. Closely comparable to IBT in product mix, service offerings, and private-sector mid-market customer base, with multiple regional operating companies.
• Applied Industrial Technologies: Major industrial distributor specializing in bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and flow control, with a service center network across the US. Closely comparable product portfolio and customer segments to IBT, with substantially larger scale.
• Würth Industry North America: Industrial distributor focused on fasteners, MRO supplies, and supply-chain solutions for industrial OEMs. Similarly combines product distribution with value-added services (VMI, kitting) for industrial customers, comparable to IBT's integrated model.

Broad incumbents

• Fastenal: Industrial supplies and fasteners distributor with extensive on-site vending and bin-stock programs, increasingly competing in MRO and safety. Comparable to IBT in industrial customer base but differentiated by its point-of-use inventory and high-density branch model.
• W.W. Grainger: Largest broad-line industrial MRO distributor in North America, with KeepStock inventory management, vending, and e-commerce infrastructure. Overlaps with IBT across most product categories but operates at much larger scale and with a more national, digital-first model.
• McMaster-Carr: Catalog-based industrial supplies distributor with extensive e-commerce presence serving MRO buyers across the US. Competes with IBT on broad-line MRO demand from industrial customers, though with a fundamentally different, delivery-led model.
• Rexel USA: Electrical and industrial supplies distributor with national branch footprint. Overlaps with IBT in electrical, automation, and MRO categories while bringing scale in lighting and electrical distribution that IBT does not match.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ibtinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyxD0N4PN70y8R4XB33Uyww
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibtinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibt-inc

Compliance2 records

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&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about IBT, Inc