Protec
Miami-based HVAC manufacturer representative founded in 1973, serving Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean by distributing equipment from more than 30 manufacturers and providing engineering, parts, training, and factory-certified startup support to owners, engineers, and contractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Protec does
Miami-based Protec, Inc. is a multi-brand HVAC manufacturer representative founded in 1973 by Alfredo Sotolongo, PE, that distributes heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment on behalf of more than 30 manufacturers across Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Its customer base spans building owners, mechanical engineers, and HVAC contractors serving commercial, residential, hospitality, religious, gaming, retail, and institutional projects — with named installations including citizenM Brickell, Yotel Miami, AC Marriott Sawgrass Mills, Estates at Acqualina, 57 Ocean, Quantum on the Bay, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Parque Arauco, and El Distrito Térmico La Alpujarra.
The technical offering spans dedicated outdoor air systems (Addison), variable refrigerant flow systems and chillers (LG), pumps and hydronic equipment (Armstrong), oil-free chillers (Smardt), modular air handling units (VTS), commercial rooftop units (Lennox), proprietary cooling towers (Protec Cooling Towers), dehumidification (Dectron), variable frequency drives and starters (Franklin Control Systems), and AI-powered vertical-stack through-wall packaged units (AIIR Products). Engineering services include specification support, design consultation, factory-certified startup, troubleshooting, and bilingual (English/Spanish) technician training delivered from the centrally-located Miami warehouse, which also stocks replacement parts and complete equipment for domestic and international delivery.
Revenue is generated primarily through manufacturer-representation commissions on equipment sales, supplemented by project-based engineering services, parts supply, and certified service contracts. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales via assigned sales representatives covering Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with multi-year service contracts referenced for ongoing support. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. A recent strategic partnership with AIIR Products (January 2026) extends Protec's reach into AI-powered HVAC for South Florida's vertical, high-density development market — developers, hotel owners, and multifamily operators — while operating geographies and the rep-firm model remain unchanged.
Protec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Protec
- Legal name
- Protec, Inc.
- Website
- https://protecinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Miami-based HVAC manufacturer representative founded in 1973, serving Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean by distributing equipment from more than 30 manufacturers and providing engineering, parts, training, and factory-certified startup support to owners, engineers, and contractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Protec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- HVAC Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HVAC Equipment (Heating, Cooling & Air Handling) (IMAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where Protec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Protec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Manufacturer Representation: Protec acts as a manufacturer representative for various HVAC equipment manufacturers, providing sales, support, and engineering services across Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Revenue is generated through commissions on equipment sales and ongoing support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based equipment and service pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Protec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Protec is a manufacturer's representative that sells commercial and industrial HVAC equipment on behalf of over 30 partner brands — including Addison, Armstrong, LG, Lennox, Smardt, VTS, AIIR Products, and others — to owners, engineers, and contractors across Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The company's core offerings include HVAC equipment distribution, in-house mechanical engineering support from project design through installation and operation, replacement parts and supplies, factory-certified startup and troubleshooting services, and technician training programs.
Product overview
Protec is an HVAC equipment sales and representation company founded in 1973, serving Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The company operates as a multi-brand distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of HVAC products through partnerships with over 30 manufacturers. The core offering consists of HVAC equipment sales supported by engineering services, parts and supplies, and startup/troubleshooting support. The product portfolio includes commercial HVAC equipment such as chillers (Smardt oil free chillers, LG air-cooled chillers), variable refrigerant flow systems, air handling units (VTS modular AHUs), pumps and hydronic equipment (Armstrong), cooling towers (Protec Cooling Towers), dehumidification systems (Dectron), and various terminal units. Services include factory-certified startup, technician training programs (LG, Addison, Armstrong), and parts supply for all represented brands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Protec Cooling Towers: Own manufactured cooling towers offered as part of the product portfolio, with parts and supplies available.
Products and services
- HVAC Equipment Sales Sale and representation of commercial and industrial HVAC equipment from over 30 partner manufacturers including Addison, Armstrong, LG, Lennox, Smardt, VTS, AIIR Products, Franklin Control Systems, GE Appliances, and others, for commercial and residential applications across Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Engineering Services Mechanical engineering support for clients from project conception to completion, providing technical solutions, equipment selection guidance, energy conservation expertise, and value analysis across the project lifecycle.
- Parts & Supplies Replacement parts and supplies for all represented manufacturers including Addison, Armstrong, Franklin Control Systems, LG, and Protec Cooling Towers, available through Protec's Miami warehouse for efficient delivery or direct customer pick-up.
- Service & Startup Support Factory-certified startup services, troubleshooting support, and technician training for HVAC equipment installation and operation across represented brands.
- HVAC Technician Training Programs Technician training courses for LG, Addison, and Armstrong HVAC equipment offered in Miami, FL in English and Spanish, supporting installation and service contractor workforce development.
Companies that use Protec
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Protec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Protec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- AIIR ProductscoreAIIR Products partnered with Protec to expand AI-powered HVAC solutions across South Florida. The collaboration targets developers, hotel owners, and multifamily operators in South Florida's vertical, high-density development market. Protec leverages its 50+ years of industry experience to educate clients on AIIR's technology, which includes AI integration, onboard sensors, and corrosion-resistant design suited for coastal environments.
- AddisoncoreAddison manufactures Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems represented by Protec across all markets (Southeast Florida, West Florida, Latin America & Caribbean).
- Armstrong Fluid TechnologycoreArmstrong provides Pumps & Hydronic Equipment represented by Protec across all markets.
- LG HVACcoreLG provides Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems, Minisplits, & Air-Cooled Chillers represented by Protec. Protec offers LG Installation Training in Miami, FL.
- Lennox CommercialmajorLennox provides Commercial Rooftop Units & Split Systems represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- SmardtmajorSmardt provides Oil Free Chillers (air & water-cooled) represented by Protec across all markets.
- VTS GroupmajorVTS Group provides Semi-Custom Modular Air Handling Units represented by Protec across all markets.
- Protec Cooling TowerscoreProtec represents its own brand of cooling towers with parts and supplies available through the company.
- Franklin Control SystemsmajorFranklin Control Systems provides Starters & Variable Frequency Drives represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- GE Appliances Air and WatermajorGE provides PTACs, VTACs, & Splits represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- GE GeoStarmajorGE GeoStar provides Water-Source Heat Pumps represented by Protec across all markets.
- Magic-PakmajorMagic-Pak provides Vertical Through-Wall Packaged Units represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- MetalAiremajorMetalAire provides VAV Boxes, Air Terminal Units, and Grilles, Registers, & Diffusers represented by Protec.
- Paul Mueller CompanymajorPaul Mueller Company provides Heat Exchangers represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- RuskinmajorRuskin provides Dampers & Louvers represented by Protec across all markets.
- Williams Comfort ProductsmajorWilliams Comfort Products provides Chilled Water FCUs & AHUs represented by Protec across all markets.
- MarvairmajorMarvair provides Wall Mounted Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- MultiStackmajorMultiStack provides Modular Air-Cooled & Water-Cooled Chillers represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- CamfilmajorCamfil provides Filtration & Air Pollution Control equipment represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- Loren CookmajorLoren Cook provides Fans & Energy Recovery Ventilators represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- DriSteemmajorDriSteem provides Humidifiers represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- EnvircomajorEnvirco provides Laminar Flow Clean Benches & Cabinet Filters represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- Heat Pipe TechnologymajorHeat Pipe Technology provides Heat Transfer Equipment represented by Protec in Latin America & Caribbean markets.
- Concord-AirmajorConcord-Air provides Multi-Family Split Systems represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- DectronmajorDectron provides Pool/Spa Dehumidification Equipment represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- Above AirmajorAbove Air provides Mission Critical Equipment & Dedicated Outdoor Air Equipment represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- AcuThermmajorAcuTherm provides Variable Air Volume Diffusers represented by Protec in Southeast Florida.
- AIIR ProductscoreAIIR Products provides Vertical Stack Through-Wall Packaged Units represented by Protec in Southeast Florida. Strategic partnership expanding AI-powered HVAC solutions across South Florida.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Protec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AC Pro: HVAC distributor headquartered in the western U.S. — directly comparable HVAC equipment distribution business model to Protec, though anchored in different regional geography (California/Western states).
- Carrier Enterprise: Distributor/manufacturer representative for Carrier, Bryant, Payne, and Goodman across the U.S. — operates the same multi-brand HVAC rep and distribution model as Protec, serving contractors and commercial developers.
- Trane Supply / Trane Technologies Distribution: Distribution arm of Trane Technologies selling commercial unitary, applied, and service solutions — directly comparable commercial HVAC equipment representation and aftermarket service model.
- Baker Distributing: Wholesale distributor of HVAC products serving residential and commercial contractors across the southern U.S., with overlapping manufacturer line cards and a similar contractor-developer go-to-market motion.
- R.E. Michel Company: HVAC distributor and manufacturer rep supplying heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment to contractors — comparable multi-brand distribution model with similar rep and engineering support functions.
- Johnstone Supply: Largest HVAC parts and equipment distributor in North America, operating as a co-op distribution network for contractors — directly analogous to Protec's HVAC equipment representation model.
Broad incumbents
- Winsupply: Acquisition and support company for over 600 local HVAC, plumbing, and industrial distribution businesses — provides broader-incumbent comparison for Protec's regional rep-and-distribution operating model.
- Watsco: Largest independent HVAC distributor in the U.S. (NYSE: WSO) — operating the same multi-brand HVAC distribution model as Protec at vastly greater scale, including manufacturer representations analogous to those held by Protec.
- Ferguson Enterprises: Major U.S. distributor of plumbing, heating, and HVAC products — overlaps with Protec in commercial HVAC distribution to developers, engineers, and contractors across a multi-region footprint.
Regional players
- MG Sales & Engineering: Manufacturer's representative for commercial HVAC equipment across Texas and the southwestern U.S. — serves the same engineer-and-contractor specification channel as Protec but in a different geographic territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Protec social profiles
Digital presenceProtec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Protec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Protec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Protec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Protec
What does Protec do?
Protec is a manufacturer's representative that sells commercial and industrial HVAC equipment on behalf of over 30 partner brands — including Addison, Armstrong, LG, Lennox, Smardt, VTS, AIIR Products, and others — to owners, engineers, and contractors across Southeast Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The company's core offerings include HVAC equipment distribution, in-house mechanical engineering support from project design through installation and operation, replacement parts and supplies, factory-certified startup and troubleshooting services, and technician training programs.
Is Protec a public or private company?
Protec is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Protec founded?
Protec was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Protec based?
Protec is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does Protec make money?
One revenue line is on record: manufacturer Representation.
Who are Protec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AC Pro, Carrier Enterprise, Trane Supply / Trane Technologies Distribution, Baker Distributing, R.E. Michel Company and Johnstone Supply. Broad incumbents are Winsupply, Watsco and Ferguson Enterprises. MG Sales & Engineering is listed as a regional player.
Does Protec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Protec.
What industry is Protec in?
Protec's product category is HVAC Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAB, HVAC Equipment (Heating, Cooling & Air Handling). Its NAICS code is 33341 and its SIC code is 3585.