Mitchell Lewis & Staver

What Mitchell Lewis & Staver does

Mitchell Lewis & Staver (MLS) is a privately held value-added distributor of pump, motor, and control solutions, founded in 1882 and headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon. The company distributes products from over 75 manufacturer brands — including Xylem/Goulds, Pentair, Danfoss, Grundfos, Franklin Electric, and Flint & Walling — to contractors, installers, and end customers across residential water systems, agriculture/irrigation, and commercial/industrial verticals. MLS positions itself as a technical expert intermediary, differentiating through in-house engineering staff who provide pump sizing, application assistance, and custom packaged system design alongside hardware distribution.

The company's product portfolio spans nine pump categories (booster, centrifugal, dewatering, jet, positive displacement, S.A.E., submersible well, turbine, and wastewater), four motor types (horizontal, jet pump, submersible, and VHS), and three control categories (across-the-line, soft start, and VFD), supplemented by pressure/storage tanks, accessories, and pre-configured packaged systems. In 2025, MLS launched its first proprietary branded product, the MICA-202 VFD Control Panel under the "Mitchell Genuine Controls" sub-brand, targeting the US agriculture market. The underlying technology relies on third-party manufacturer brands rather than proprietary manufacturing IP, with value capture occurring through distribution aggregation, technical advisory services, and custom system packaging.

MLS operates a sales-led go-to-market model with quote-based project pricing rather than standardized e-commerce transactions. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of distributed products and professional services for technical system design. Distribution occurs through direct sales via quote request, an authorized dealer network (actively expanded through a 'Become a Dealer' program), and company-operated branch locations including the Wilsonville, OR headquarters and a Grand Rapids, MI branch. Customers are a mix of SMB contractors (e.g., Dickey's Pump Service, Water Associates) and enterprise operations (e.g., WaterTec, Pacific Southwest Irrigation), with no single customer appearing to dominate revenue. The company is independently owned with no disclosed parent company, private equity backing, or venture capital investment.

Name

Mitchell Lewis & Staver

Legal name

Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co.

Website

https://mitchellewis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mitchell Lewis & Staver is a 140+ year old value-added distributor of pumps, motors, and controls, serving residential, agricultural, and industrial water systems customers across the US from 75+ manufacturer brands, with in-house engineering design and custom packaged systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Pump and Motor Distribution

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Slurry, Dewatering & Process Pumps (Pumps, Valves, Piping for Mine/Plant) (IMAKANAI), Pneumatic Components (FRLs, Cylinders, Valves) (IMAHAGAC)

Keywords

• Pump distribution services
• Motor control solutions
• Water systems equipment
• Irrigation equipment supply
• Industrial pump distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilsonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pump, Motor and Control Equipment Distribution: Revenue generated through distribution of pumps, motors, controls, tanks, and accessories from over 75 manufacturer brands to contractors, installers, and industrial customers. Sales are project-based and quote-driven rather than standardized e-commerce.
2. Technical Services and System Design: In-house engineering staff provide pump sizing, application assistance, and custom packaged system design expertise, adding value to product distribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mitchell Lewis & Staver is a value-added distributor of pumps, motors, and control solutions, representing over 75 manufacturer brands including Xylem/Goulds, Pentair/Berkeley, Danfoss, Grundfos, and Franklin Electric. The company sells to contractors, installers, agricultural operations, and industrial customers through a quote-based sales model, supported by in-house engineering staff who provide pump sizing, application assistance, and custom packaged system design. Their product portfolio spans centrifugal, submersible, turbine, jet, dewatering, and wastewater pumps; horizontal, submersible, VHS, and jet pump motors; VFD, soft start, and across-the-line controls; plus tanks, accessories, and engineered packaged systems.

Product overview

Mitchell Lewis & Staver is a specialty value-added distributor of pump, motor, and control solutions, representing over 75 manufacturer brands. The company operates as a single unified offering platform providing complete water systems solutions. Their product portfolio centers on three interconnected categories: (1) Pumps including booster, centrifugal, dewatering, jet, positive displacement, S.A.E., submersible well, turbine, and wastewater pumps for various flow and pressure requirements; (2) Motors including horizontal, jet pump, submersible, and VHS motors to power their pump systems; (3) Controls including across-the-line, soft start, and VFD (variable frequency drive) controls for system management and energy efficiency. They also offer complementary products including pressure and storage tanks, accessories (aerators, mixers, cranes, drilling products, filtration, hydraulic derricks, pump accessories, UV disinfection), and packaged systems. Their focus is on providing engineered solutions for water system applications across residential, agricultural/irrigation, and commercial/industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mitchell Genuine Controls: The company's proprietary control product line including MICA-202 VFD Control Panel.

Products and services

• Centrifugal Pumps Centrifugal pumps that use rotational energy to move fluid through the pump casing. Available in end suction, vertical or horizontal split case, enclosed or open impeller configurations for water systems professionals.
• Booster Pumps
• Dewatering Pumps
• Jet Pumps
• Positive Displacement Pumps
• S.A.E. Pumps
• Submersible Well Pumps (4-inch)
• Turbine Pumps
• Wastewater Pumps
• Submersible Motors (4-inch)
• VHS Motors
• Jet Pump Motors
• Horizontal Motors
• VFD Controls
• Soft Start Controls
• Across the Line Controls
• MICA-202 VFD Control Panel Mitchell Genuine Controls proprietary VFD Control Panel designed for agriculture applications including farms, greenhouses, vineyards, and orchards. Features energy efficient variable frequency drive with NEMA 4X/IP66 outdoor-rated enclosure.
• Pressure Tanks
• Storage Tanks
• Packaged Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributes products from 75+ brands including major manufacturers like Xylem, Pentair, and Danfoss

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Xylem (Goulds Water Technology)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorXylem's Goulds Water Technology brand is a key manufacturer partner. Mitchell Lewis & Staver distributes Goulds products including centrifugal pumps, jet pumps, submersible pumps, turbine pumps, and related water technology products. The partnership includes exclusive distribution rights in certain territories.
• Pentair (Berkeley, Sta-Rite, Myers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPentair brands including Berkeley, Sta-Rite, and Myers are key manufacturer partners. Mitchell Lewis & Staver distributes Berkeley centrifugal and jet pumps, Sta-Rite residential pumps, and Myers wastewater products. Featured prominently in company marketing and product lines.
• DanfosscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanfoss is a key partner for VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) controls and soft start controls. Mitchell Lewis & Staver distributes Danfoss FC 202 VFD and related control products. The partnership supports their energy-efficient pump control solutions.
• GrundfosmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrundfos is a manufacturer partner for submersible motors and high-efficiency pumps. Mitchell Lewis & Staver distributes Grundfos 4-inch submersible motors and vertical multi-stage centrifugal pumps.
• Franklin ElectricmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranklin Electric is a manufacturer partner for submersible motors. Mitchell Lewis & Staver distributes Franklin submersible motors for water well applications.
• Flint & WallingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlint & Walling (a Pentair brand) is a manufacturer partner for jet pumps, submersible pumps, and water systems products. Featured in jet pump product lines.
• GrindexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrindex is a manufacturer partner for portable submersible dewatering pumps used in construction and mining applications.
• BarmesaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarmesa Pumps is a manufacturer partner for dewatering pumps and end suction centrifugal pumps. Distributed for construction and industrial dewatering applications.
• TsurumiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTsurumi Pump is a manufacturer partner for portable submersible dewatering pumps. Distributed for construction and industrial applications.
• WarsonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarson is a manufacturer partner for deep well turbine pumps and axial/mixed flow turbine pumps. Distributed for irrigation and industrial applications.
• YamadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYamada is a manufacturer partner for AODD (Air Operated Double Diaphragm) positive displacement pumps used in industrial and chemical applications.
• Barnes (Crane Pumps)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarnes (a Crane Pumps brand) is a manufacturer partner for dewatering pumps and wastewater handling equipment.
• Deming (Crane Pumps)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeming (a Crane Pumps brand) is a manufacturer partner for centrifugal pumps and dewatering equipment.
• ProsserminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProsser (a Crane Pumps brand) is a manufacturer partner for portable submersible dewatering pumps.
• Polaris PumpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolaris Pumps is a manufacturer partner for dewatering pumps used in construction and industrial applications.
• StancorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStancor is a manufacturer partner for dewatering pumps and pump controls.
• Toyo PumpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToyo Pumps is a manufacturer partner for industrial dewatering pumps.
• PentekminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPentek is a manufacturer partner for submersible motors and out-of-box VFD control solutions.
• ZilmetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZilmet is a manufacturer partner for pressure tanks, offering Italian-designed USA-made powder-coated inline tanks.
• US Motors (Nidec)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS Motors (Nidec) is a manufacturer partner for VHS (Vertical Hollow Shaft) motors for turbine pump applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ferguson Enterprises: Ferguson is the largest U.S. distributor of plumbing, waterworks, and HVAC products. Its Waterworks division directly overlaps with MLS's municipal, commercial, and irrigation pump, valve, and control business, serving the same contractors and engineers. Comparable scale-up potential as a regional water distributor.
• Core & Main: Core & Main is a leading U.S. distributor of water, wastewater, and storm drainage products serving municipalities, contractors, and industrial customers. Highly comparable distribution model focused on water infrastructure, with similar product categories (pumps, valves, controls) and contractor-led GTM.
• Winsupply: Winsupply is a leading U.S. specialty distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks, and industrial supplies operating through a decentralized branch model with local operating companies. Closely mirrors MLS's regional branch-based value-added distribution model serving contractors.

Broad incumbents

• HD Supply / White Cap: White Cap (formerly HD Supply Construction & Industrial) is a large national distributor of construction and industrial supplies including pumps, dewatering equipment, and accessories. Larger and broader portfolio, but directly overlaps on construction dewatering and industrial pump SKUs.
• Pool Corporation: Pool Corporation is the largest U.S. wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products, including pumps, motors, and controls. Adjacent business model (specialty water-related distribution to contractors) with overlapping product categories and customer types.
• Rexel: Rexel is a global distributor of electrical, lighting, and industrial products including motor controls and VFDs (brands like Schneider Electric). Larger and broader, but the motor controls / VFD distribution business directly overlaps with MLS's Danfoss VFD business.
• Watsco: Watsco is the largest U.S. distributor of HVAC products including motors and controls. Different end market (HVAC vs. water) but highly comparable specialty distribution model with technical sales support, contractor customer base, and value-added services.

Others

• Mueller Water Products: Mueller Water Products is a manufacturer of water infrastructure products (valves, hydrants, pipe) that MLS could indirectly sell through or compete against on municipal projects. Adjacent supplier-side counterpart in the same water distribution channel.
• Xylem: Xylem is the parent of Goulds Water Technology—one of MLS's largest and most strategic brand partners. Xylem is both a key supplier and potential competitor if it expands direct-to-customer channels. Critical channel relationship and structural ecosystem player.
• Pentair: Pentair is the parent of Berkeley, Sta-Rite, Myers, and Flint & Walling—multiple MLS core brand partners. Functions as a strategic supplier and ecosystem anchor; also a potential disintermediation risk as Pentair develops direct customer relationships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mitchellewisstaver

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Mitchell Lewis & Staver