Griffin

What Griffin does

Griffin Thermal Products, Inc. (operating as Griffin Radiator) is a privately held US manufacturer of high-performance aluminum radiators and cooling system components, founded in 1981 and headquartered in a 120,000 sq ft integrated manufacturing facility in Piedmont, South Carolina. The company controls the entire production process from raw aluminum through tube forming, vacuum brazing, heli-arc welding, and final assembly, serving automotive aftermarket buyers (muscle cars, classic car restorations, LS engine swaps, race cars), industrial OEM customers (construction, agricultural, power generation, rail, military equipment), emergency services (fire apparatus), recreational vehicles, and aircraft support applications. Its core technology is built around proprietary MegaCool 1.25-inch tubes that deliver up to 40% more cooling capacity than standard configurations, supported by bar-and-plate construction, micro-extruded tubes, vacuum brazing for both prototyping and volume runs, and thermal/3D engineering modeling to design application-specific solutions.

The company operates a direct-to-customer sales model with no e-commerce, processing all orders via phone (1-800-722-3723), mail, or fax with engineering review and average 2-week custom build lead times. Pricing is per-unit one-time hardware sale, ranging from approximately $436 for entry-level Exact Fit replacement radiators to $1,300+ for complete ComboUnit assemblies and custom-built OEM solutions. A dedicated industrial cooling division offers less-than-90-day design-to-delivery for OEM production runs with inventory stocking and drop-shipping options, while Griffin also distributes complementary components (SPAL electric fans, fan shrouds, overflow tanks, fluid coolers, intercoolers, radiator caps) as bundled or standalone purchases. Marketing relies on long-standing King of the Hammers race sponsorship, technical website content, manufacturing process videos, and a newsletter, targeting enthusiast and OEM buyers across North America with international shipping availability.

The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, holds the 2021 SPAL Dealer of the Year designation, and in September 2021 received investment from Asymmetry Ventures - its first documented institutional capital event after four decades of independent family ownership.

Name

Griffin

Legal name

Griffin Thermal Products, Inc.

Website

https://griffinrad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Griffin Thermal Products designs and manufactures high-performance aluminum radiators and cooling system components, serving automotive aftermarket enthusiasts, industrial OEM customers, emergency services, and recreational vehicle markets from its 120,000 sq ft integrated facility in Piedmont, SC since 1981.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aluminum Radiators and Cooling Systems

NAICS

Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (33241), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Heat Exchangers Manufacturing (Radiators/Condensers/Evaporators/Heater Cores) (IMACALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Passenger Vehicle Thermal, Cooling & HVAC Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAL), Automotive Coolant & Refrigerant Circuit Components (Pumps/Valves/Reservoirs/Expansion Devices) (IMACALAE), Automotive Refrigerant Lines, Hoses & Thermal Plumbing (IMACALAG)

Keywords

• Aluminum radiator manufacturing
• Custom cooling solutions
• Performance heat exchangers
• Industrial thermal management
• Aftermarket automotive cooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Piedmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Radiator Sales: One-time hardware sales of aluminum radiators across multiple product lines (Exact Fit, Performance Fit, Universal Fit, Combo Units, Custom). Direct customer purchase transactions via phone/mail with no online ordering capability.
2. Accessories and Components: Sales of complementary cooling components including SPAL fans, fan shrouds, overflow tanks, fluid coolers, intercoolers, radiator caps, and mounting accessories. Bundled with radiators or sold separately.
3. OEM and Industrial Production Programs: Custom engineering and manufacturing partnerships with OEM companies and industrial equipment manufacturers for generator, construction, agricultural, and commercial equipment cooling solutions. Volume production runs with 90-day design-to-delivery capability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Griffin Thermal Products designs and manufactures high-performance aluminum radiators and complete cooling system packages from raw aluminum through finished, welded assemblies at its ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Piedmont, SC. The company sells Exact Fit OEM replacements, Performance Fit crossflow radiators, Universal Fit units, Combo Unit assemblies that bundle a radiator with SPAL fans and accessories, and hand-crafted Custom radiators for vintage, racing, and industrial applications, plus industrial cooling solutions for OEM partners in construction, agriculture, and power generation.

Product overview

Griffin Thermal Products is a high-performance aluminum radiator and cooling system manufacturer offering a portfolio of distinct product lines. The core offerings span Exact Fit (OEM replicas), Performance Fit (crossflow technology), Universal Fit (various sizes), and Custom Build radiators. These are complemented by Combo Units — factory-assembled cooling packages bundling a radiator with SPAL fans, shrouds, wiring harnesses, and optional transmission coolers — as well as a full accessories line including fan shrouds, overflow tanks, fluid coolers, intercoolers, and radiator caps. Griffin also serves specialty segments through dedicated product lines for aircraft support, heavy duty/industrial, emergency vehicles, RVs/motorhomes, muscle cars, street rods, and LS engine swaps. The company operates as an integrated manufacturer controlling every step from raw aluminum to finished weld, with ISO 9001:2015 certification at its 120,000 sq ft Piedmont, SC facility established in 1981.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MegaCool: High-performance radiator core technology featuring 1.25" tubes providing up to 40% more cooling capacity
• ExtremeCool
• ComboUnit

Products and services

• Exact Fit Radiators True OEM replicas engineered to match factory specifications, serving as direct replacement radiators for a wide range of vehicle applications including classic Ford, Jeep, Chevrolet, and other makes.
• Performance Fit Radiators Modern crossflow technology radiators for high-performance applications, delivering superior cooling for modified engines, LS engine swaps, and high-HP builds.
• Universal Fit Radiators Universal radiators available in various sizes for custom or non-standard applications, ideal for mismatched body/frame and one-off projects.
• Combo Unit Factory-assembled complete cooling packages combining an aluminum radiator with SPAL electric fans, fan shroud, wiring harnesses, temperature sender, and optional integrated transmission cooler as a single bolt-in assembly with ratings up to approximately 950 HP.
• Custom Radiators Hand-crafted, made-to-specification radiators built for vintage vehicles, race cars, industrial equipment, and OEM production runs with an average lead time of 2 weeks or less and custom pricing set after engineering review.
• Industrial Cooling Solutions ISO 9001:2015 certified industrial cooling components for generators, street sweepers, agricultural equipment, and construction machinery, including design-through-delivery in under 90 days and OEM inventory stocking and drop shipping options.
• Aircraft Support Radiators Specialty radiators designed for aircraft support applications as part of Griffin's extended specialty product catalog.
• Emergency Vehicle Cooling Durable bar-and-plate construction cooling packages for fire apparatus, police, and rescue vehicles, engineered to withstand demanding conditions and used by departments nationwide.
• RV & Motorhome Cooling All-aluminum radiators for Class A, B, and C motorhomes and buses from manufacturers including Blue Bird, Prevost, Thomas Bus, and Spartan, designed for lasting durability under varied travel and load conditions.
• Muscle Cars Specialty Radiators Specialty cooling solutions for classic muscle car restorations including 1930s Chevrolets, Tri-Fives, 1960s Novas, Camaros, and 1970s Chevelles.
• Street Rods Specialty Radiators Specialty radiators for street rod applications covering vintage Ford vehicles from the 1930s through 1980s Monte Carlos.
• LS Swap Radiators Performance fit radiators designed for LS engine swap applications, engineered for modern crossflow cooling technology.
• Aluminum Fan Shrouds Custom-fit aluminum fan shrouds designed to cover 100% of the radiator core, ensuring electric fans pull air through the entire surface area rather than just the middle.
• Overflow Tanks Stainless steel and billet aluminum overflow tanks designed to capture expanding coolant and return it to the radiator as the system cools.
• Fluid Coolers Bar and plate universal fluid coolers for engine oil, transmission fluid, and hydraulic steering applications, using isolation cooling to eliminate cross-contamination heat soak.
• Intercoolers Bar and plate aluminum intercoolers with micro-extruded cooling tubes for quick heat dissipation, used in racing applications from Le Mans to drag racing.
• Radiator Caps Pressure radiator caps for street and racing applications, available in ratings from 13 psi (standard street) to 22-24 psi (high-pressure racing).
• SPAL Fans Electric cooling fans exclusive to Griffin's cooling packages, available in sizes from 9 to 16 inches with CFM ratings ranging from 625 to 1918 CFM.
• Heavy Duty Oil Coolers and Charge Air Coolers Heavy duty oil coolers and charge air coolers for construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment, designed for sustained load management and debris resistance as part of Griffin Thermal Products' industrial cooling portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 40% more cooling capacity with MegaCool 1.25" tubes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SPAL (Specialty Parts Associated LGB)coreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive supplier of electric cooling fans for Griffin cooling packages. SPAL fans integrated into all ComboUnit products as standard equipment. Griffin recognized as 2021 SPAL Dealer of the Year.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mishimoto: Mishimoto designs and sells aluminum radiators, intercoolers, and cooling packages for the performance and racing aftermarket. It is the closest direct peer to Griffin, competing across nearly the same product categories (radiators, combo units, fans, shrouds) with significantly stronger digital and e-commerce distribution.
• CSF Race: CSF manufactures high-performance aluminum radiators, condensers, and intercoolers sold globally to enthusiasts and OEMs. Comparable to Griffin in core product (aluminum race/performance radiators) and target customer base, with overlapping presence in motorsports and OEM programs.
• Champion Cooling Systems: Champion builds aluminum radiators for classic cars, muscle cars, and street rods - a near-exact overlap with Griffin's Exact Fit, Performance Fit, and street-rod product lines. Closely comparable customer base of restoration enthusiasts and hobbyist installers.
• Flex-a-lite: Flex-a-lite manufactures electric cooling fans, fan shrouds, and aluminum radiators for automotive and heavy-duty applications. Comparable to Griffin on radiator cores, fan-shroud integration, and the combo-unit bundle philosophy that pairs fans with radiator cores.
• Wizard Cooling: Wizard Cooling specializes in aluminum radiators for muscle cars, hot rods, and LS swaps - directly overlapping Griffin's muscle-car, street-rod, and LS-swap specialty lines. Comparable custom-build service model targeting the same enthusiast segments.
• Ron Davis Racing Products: Ron Davis builds custom high-performance aluminum radiators and cooling systems for racing, vintage, and specialty applications. Comparable to Griffin's Custom Radiator and racing lines in custom-engineered, hand-built cooling solutions for demanding applications.
• Howe Racing Enterprises: Howe manufactures aluminum radiators, cooling components, and racing accessories, with strong presence in circle-track and vintage racing. Comparable to Griffin's racing and custom-radiator lines in performance cooling for motorsport applications.

Broad incumbents

• MAHLE (Behr): MAHLE, following the Behr Hella Service consolidation, is a global Tier-1 OEM supplier of radiators, HVAC modules, and thermal-management components. While much broader, MAHLE/Behr competes with Griffin in OEM-grade radiator and charge-air-cooler programs for industrial and heavy-duty OEMs.
• Denso Thermal Systems: Denso is a global Tier-1 supplier of radiators, HVAC, and engine-cooling modules to automotive and industrial OEMs. Comparable to Griffin's OEM industrial business at scale but operating across a far broader product portfolio and global footprint.

Others

• SPAL Automotive: SPAL is Griffin's exclusive electric-fan supplier and 2021 Dealer-of-the-Year partner. Comparable as a thermal-management component manufacturer (fans, blowers) that Griffin integrates into its Combo Units - an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Griffin