Koch Air, LLC

What Koch Air, LLC does

Koch Air, LLC is a wholesale HVAC distributor founded in 1936 and headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, where it operates as one of the first franchised Carrier distributors in North America. Today it is the third-oldest Carrier distributor in the United States and ranks among the ten largest independent Carrier distributors in the country. The company sells residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, parts, and supplies through a network of 11 branches across Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and—following the January 2025 acquisition of Standard Air—Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, supported by 26 delivery trucks and a multi-million-dollar inventory across parts and supplies stores. Koch Air is privately held and family-owned under parent Koch Enterprises, Inc., a diversified conglomerate.

The company's product portfolio centers on Carrier residential equipment (air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, fan coils, evaporator coils, geothermal, ductless) and commercial offerings including Carrier chiller systems (19DV water-cooled and 30XV air-cooled variable-speed screw chillers with IPLV > 21.0), Carrier Two Pipe and Toshiba Carrier Three Pipe VRF systems, and Carrier EcoBlue rooftop units with 75% fewer moving parts and up to 40% energy reduction. Complementary commercial lines include Modine unit heaters, Micrometl roof curbs and ERVs, Hunter HVLS industrial fans, GREE E-TAC packaged units, Slant/Fin boilers, and IAQ products from Purfi Labs, RGF, Aprilaire, and Honeywell. Service capabilities include 3D laser scanning for retrofit projects and 3D BIM modeling for VRF installations. Through sister company Koch Applied Solutions, LLC—formed in 2023 from the merger of Level Solutions (acquired 2018) and Lathrop Trotter (acquired 2021)—Koch Air distributes specialty HVAC, boiler, fan, and power/utility solutions. All 11 branches hold ISO 9001:2015 certification issued by SGS, and the company distributes Carrier, Bryant, and Payne brands exclusively in its territory.

Revenue is generated principally through equipment, parts, and supplies sales transacted via the dealer network and direct commercial sales. The go-to-market motion is hybrid: an authorized dealer network with tiered status (Factory Authorized, Medallion, Non-Program) drives residential and small commercial volume, while a dedicated Koch Rapid Response Team (KRRT) handles commercial proposal requests with urgency-based response tiers for rooftop units, chillers, VRF, and applied systems. Dealer support functions—Carrier University NATE-certified training, co-op marketing dollars, Carrier Business Compass, Wells Fargo financing integration, UniFi leasing, and annual incentive trips—act as channel-stability mechanisms rather than standalone revenue streams. Standard payment terms are Net 30 days, with tiered restocking fees (0% within 30 days, 10% days 31–90, 20% days 91–180). No revenue figure is publicly disclosed.

Name

Koch Air, LLC

Legal name

Koch Air, LLC

Website

http://kochair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Koch Air, LLC is a wholesale HVAC distributor serving residential dealers and commercial contractors with Carrier, Bryant, and Payne equipment, parts, and supplies through 11 branches across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Founded in 1936, it is the third-oldest and one of the ten largest independent Carrier distributors in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42373)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution (CRAOAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

HVAC Equipment (Heating, Cooling & Air Handling) (IMAHAKAB)

Keywords

• HVAC equipment distribution
• Carrier distributor
• Commercial HVAC solutions
• Residential HVAC dealer
• HVAC parts supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HVAC Equipment Distribution: Distribution of Carrier, Bryant, and Payne residential and commercial HVAC equipment including chillers, VRF systems, rooftop units, heat pumps, furnaces, and air handlers through dealer network
2. Parts and Supplies: Multi-million dollar inventory of HVAC parts, supplies, tools, and equipment accessories across 8-10 Parts & Supplies stores in the Midwest
3. Applied HVAC Solutions: Specialized HVAC solutions through Koch Applied Solutions including boilers, fans, power/utility solutions, and niche industrial products
4. Professional Services: Technical training, marketing support, warranty services, project design assistance, and dealer support programs included with product distribution

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Koch Air distributes residential and commercial HVAC equipment, parts, and supplies from Carrier, Bryant, and Payne through 11 branch locations and an authorized dealer network across the Midwest. The company also provides applied HVAC solutions via its sister company Koch Applied Solutions (boilers, fans, power/utility products) and offers dealer support services including NATE-certified training, co-op marketing, project design assistance, 3D modeling, and laser scanning.

Product overview

Koch Air, LLC is an HVAC distribution company offering a comprehensive portfolio of residential and commercial HVAC equipment, parts, and supplies through an 11-location network across the Midwest. The core offering includes Carrier residential equipment (air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, fan coils, evaporator coils) and commercial products including Carrier chiller systems (19DV water-cooled, 30XV air-cooled screw chillers), VRF systems (Carrier Two Pipe and Toshiba Carrier Three Pipe), and EcoBlue rooftop units. Commercial product line extends to Modine unit heaters, Micrometl roof curbs/ERVs, Hunter industrial fans, GREE E-TAC units, Slant/Fin boilers, and IAQ products (Purfi Labs, RGF, IAire, Indoor Environment Quality). The company distributes parts and supplies under Carrier, Totaline, Aprilaire, Honeywell, and Fieldpiece brands, and offers dealer support programs including Factory Authorized Dealer designation, Carrier University training, and marketing support. Services include 3D modeling for VRF projects and laser scanning for retrofit projects. A sister company, Koch Applied Solutions, handles specialized HVAC solutions including boilers, fans, and power/utility products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Koch Applied Solutions, LLC: Sister company providing specialized HVAC solutions and niche industrial product needs, formed from merger of Level Solutions and Lathrop Trotter rep businesses.
• Level Solutions
• Lathrop Trotter

Products and services

• Carrier Residential HVAC Equipment Full line of Carrier residential HVAC equipment including air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, fan coils, and evaporator coils distributed through Koch Air's authorized dealer network for installation in homes.
• Carrier Chiller Systems Commercial chiller solutions including the 19DV water-cooled chiller and the 30XV air-cooled variable-speed screw chiller with IPLV ratings greater than 21.0, available with sustainable refrigerant options.
• Carrier VRF Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% less energy usage with Carrier EcoBlue rooftop systems compared to previous systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship/core and minor.

• Standard Air (Standard Air & Lite)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Acquired in January 2025, Standard Air was the third-oldest Carrier distributor until becoming part of Koch Air. Expands footprint into Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
• Lathrop TrottercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Acquired in July 2021, Lathrop Trotter is a representative of boilers, fans, and power/utility solutions. Remains a brand under Koch Applied Solutions for power generation and utility business.
• Level SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Acquired in 2018 to add applied HVAC niche solutions to the product offering. Merged into Koch Applied Solutions, LLC in 2023 to provide specialized commercial and industrial HVAC solutions.
• Carrier (Carrier Global Corporation)flagship/coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1936Primary vendor partner since 1936. Koch Air is one of the ten largest independent Carrier distributors in the U.S. and the third-oldest Carrier distributor. Distributes Carrier residential and commercial HVAC equipment including chillers, VRF systems, rooftop units, and controls.
• BryantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBryant products available exclusively in the St. Louis market through authorized dealers. Products include furnaces, air conditioners, and full range of heating and cooling equipment.
• PaynecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayne Heating & Cooling offers a wide range of price points with high reliability across all efficiency levels, available through authorized dealers.
• Koch Applied Solutions, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company launched in 2018, expanded in 2023 through merger of Level Solutions and Level Solutions rep businesses. Dedicated to specialized HVAC solutions including boilers, fans, power/utility solutions, and niche industrial products.
• Koch Enterprises, Inc.flagship/coreOthersParent company of Koch Air. Provides extensive resources, training opportunities, and business experiences. Family-owned business since the Koch family arrived from Germany in 1843.
• TKO GraphixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended vendor for Carrier decals and fully customized vehicle wraps for dealer marketing purposes.
• HVAC PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner company referenced in Quick Links for dealer support resources.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ferguson Enterprises: Ferguson (NYSE: FERG) is a Fortune 500 wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products. Overlaps Koch Air in HVAC equipment and parts distribution but at materially larger scale and broader product scope.
• Carrier Global Corporation: Carrier is the world's largest HVAC equipment manufacturer and Koch Air's primary vendor partner since 1936. Comparable in product line scope but operates upstream of Koch Air's distribution layer; represents both Koch Air's key supplier and potential disintermediation risk.
• Rexel: Rexel is a global electrical, lighting, and HVAC distribution group with significant U.S. presence. Overlaps with Koch Air in HVAC equipment and controls distribution, though Rexel is more weighted toward electrical and operates internationally.
• Watsco: Watsco (NYSE: WSO) is the largest HVAC distributor in the U.S. and the publicly traded scale incumbent in the space Koch Air operates in. Same core business of distributing residential and light commercial HVAC equipment through a branch network; vastly larger scale and geography.

Direct peers

• Johnstone Supply: Johnstone Supply is the largest HVACR cooperative distributor in North America with hundreds of branches and a comparable mix of residential/commercial equipment, parts, and supplies distribution. It is the closest structural peer to Koch Air in terms of business model, dealer network orientation, and brand-distribution model.
• Baker Distributing Company: Baker Distributing is one of the largest independent HVAC distributors in the U.S., distributing Carrier and other major brands through a multi-state branch network. Highly comparable business model, product mix, and dealer-channel GTM.
• Winsupply: Winsupply is a cooperative distribution company with HVAC, plumbing, and industrial product lines distributed through local branches. Similar dealer-oriented wholesale model and similar scale tier to Koch Air.
• R.E. Michel Company: R.E. Michel is a privately held HVAC distributor with a multi-state branch footprint serving residential and commercial contractors. Same distribution-plus-parts-plus-dealer-support model as Koch Air, with similar mid-market positioning.

Others

• Standard Air & Lite: Standard Air & Lite was a Carrier distributor serving Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia before being acquired by Koch Air in January 2025. Now a subsidiary rather than independent peer; included for context as the predecessor business in Koch Air's newest territory.

Regional players

• Gateway HVAC Supply: Gateway HVAC Supply is a regional HVAC distributor serving parts of the Midwest/South. Comparable residential and commercial HVAC distribution model but with a smaller, more regional footprint than Koch Air.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koch-air-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Koch Air, LLC