RBI Corporation

What RBI Corporation does

RBI Corporation is a privately held B2B distributor of outdoor power equipment parts and arborist supplies, headquartered in Ashland, Virginia and founded in 1919 (originally as Richmond Battery & Ignition). The company sells wholesale to an extensive independent dealer network across the United States, distributing parts, components, and consumables for chainsaws, small engines, lawn & garden equipment, forestry tools, and professional arborist gear (climbing equipment, rigging, ropes, safety PPE). Its catalog spans 30+ brands including Briggs & Stratton, Oregon, Samson Rope, Petzl, Edelrid, DMM, Kohler, Walbro, Lucas Oil, and TruFuel, alongside a proprietary CRX POWER small-engine line. RBI also operates a battery-power equipment category, reflecting ongoing market electrification.

The company's go-to-market is built around wholesale dealer accounts with credit approval and same-day shipping for orders placed by 5:00 p.m., supported by field representatives and technical training. Direct e-commerce through rbicorp.com — including a Cross-Reference Search tool, User Portal, PartSmart account management, and a weekly dealer newsletter — handles both dealer and account-based ordering. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires business account registration. Revenue is generated on a transactional, take-rate basis across the parts distribution stream, with booking programs offering structured savings tiers to incentivize dealer volume.

RBI's operating geography is the United States only, with a single headquarters and no disclosed international footprint or subsidiaries. The company remains privately held with no institutional investors, no funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no leadership changes disclosed in the available data. Its primary customer segments are independent dealers (primary, business unit) and arborists/tree-care professionals (secondary, served through the dealer channel). The principal strategic positioning is that of a long-tenured specialist distributor leveraging SKU breadth, same-day fulfillment, and dealer-relationship depth rather than technology differentiation.

Name

RBI Corporation

Legal name

RBI Corporation

Website

https://rbicorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

RBI Corporation is a B2B distributor of outdoor power equipment parts and arborist supplies, serving an independent dealer network across the United States through wholesale accounts and e-commerce since 1919.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Power Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42382), Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423820)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Power Equipment Parts & Service Retail (CRAIAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lawn & Garden Equipment Retail (Mowers, Trimmers, Blowers) (CRAIAIAA)

Keywords

• Outdoor power equipment parts
• Arborist supplies distribution
• Small engine components
• Forestry equipment wholesale
• Dealer parts distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Parts Distribution: RBI Corporation generates revenue through distribution of outdoor power equipment parts, small engine components, and arborist supplies to independent dealers. The company acts as a distributor carrying multiple branded products including Briggs & Stratton, Oregon, Samson, and many others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

RBI Corporation is a wholesale distributor of outdoor power equipment parts, small engine components, and arborist supplies sold to an independent dealer network. The company carries hundreds of branded products across categories including chainsaws, forestry tools, arborist climbing gear, ropes, rigging equipment, lawn and garden equipment, and battery-powered equipment. It supports dealers with same-day shipping for orders placed by 5:00 p.m., technical training, field representatives, and a Cross-Reference Search tool for parts compatibility.

Product overview

RBI Corporation operates a B2B e-commerce platform and distribution business for outdoor power equipment parts and arborist supplies. The company offers a comprehensive catalog organized into major product categories: Arborist products (climbing gear, rigging, ropes, saws, tools, PPE), Forestry equipment (bars, chains, sprockets), Lawn & Garden parts (clutches, belts, OEM parts, carburetion, spark plugs), Battery Power products, and specialized fuel products (TruFuel, VP Racing Fuels). The CRX POWER engine line is a key proprietary product offering with full documentation support. The platform includes a Cross-Reference Search tool for finding compatible parts, a User Portal for account management, and Booking Programs for savings. Major distributed brands include Samson Rope, Oregon, Jameson, TruFuel, and VP Racing Fuels. The company primarily serves independent dealers in the outdoor power equipment and tree care industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CRX POWER Engines

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Briggs & StrattoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRBI Corporation became a distributor for Briggs & Stratton's small engine division in 1946, expanding into outdoor power equipment parts distribution. This partnership has been foundational to the company's direction in the industry.
• OregonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOregon is a key brand carried by RBI, offering chains, bars, and outdoor power equipment parts.
• Samson RopemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSamson Rope products are distributed through RBI, including climbing ropes, rigging ropes, and specialized arborist cordage.
• All Gear IncmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll Gear Inc provides rigging equipment, slings, and arborist supplies distributed through RBI.
• PetzlmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetzl climbing and fall protection equipment is carried through RBI's distribution network.
• Sterling RopemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSterling Rope climbing lines and arborist ropes are distributed through RBI.
• Yale CordagemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYale Cordage ropes and specialty lines are part of RBI's product offerings.
• EdelridmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdelrid climbing ropes and arborist equipment distributed through RBI.
• TruFuelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruFuel pre-mixed fuel products for outdoor power equipment are distributed through RBI.
• Lucas OilmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLucas Oil fuel stabilizers and maintenance products for small engines are distributed through RBI.
• VP Racing FuelsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVP Racing Fuels small engine fuels and premix products distributed through RBI.
• TeufelbergermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTeufelberger ropes and climbing lines for arborist applications distributed through RBI.
• KohlermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKohler engines and parts distributed through RBI for outdoor power equipment applications.
• WalbromajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWalbro carburetors and fuel system components for small engines distributed through RBI.
• ZamamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZama carburetors and replacement parts for outdoor power equipment distributed through RBI.
• Hydro-GearmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHydro-Gear hydrostatic transmissions and components distributed through RBI.
• DMMmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDMM climbing hardware, carabiners, and safety equipment for arborists distributed through RBI.
• JamesonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJameson tree care tools including Big Shot throwball launchers and pole saws distributed through RBI.
• NotchmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNotch arborist equipment including Big Shot products and climbing gear distributed through RBI.
• Silky USAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilky USA handsaws and pruning tools distributed through RBI.
• ArbortecmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArbortec chainsaw pants, climbing equipment, and arborist safety gear distributed through RBI.
• ArborwearmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArborwear arborist clothing and work wear distributed through RBI.
• CloggermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClogger chainsaw protective wear and arborist clothing distributed through RBI.
• PortwestminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortwest workwear and safety clothing distributed through RBI.
• KaskmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKask helmets and head protection for arborists distributed through RBI.
• SenaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSena communication devices for hearing protection equipment distributed through RBI.
• Rock ExoticamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRock Exotica rigging equipment and descenders for arborist applications distributed through RBI.
• Portable WinchmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortable Winch portable winches for forestry and arborist applications distributed through RBI.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stens Corporation: Stens is a leading aftermarket replacement parts distributor for outdoor power equipment, serving dealers and OEMs with a multi-brand catalog directly comparable to RBI's parts distribution model.
• Rotary Corporation: Rotary distributes aftermarket OPE parts, accessories, and shop equipment to independent dealers and service shops, operating a very similar wholesale model and overlapping supplier base as RBI.
• A&I Products: A&I Products is a replacement-parts distributor for agricultural and outdoor power equipment, serving dealers with a comparable parts catalog and distribution business model to RBI.
• SherrillTree: SherrillTree is a specialist distributor of tree-care and arborist equipment and supplies, directly competing with RBI's arborist catalog across climbing gear, rigging, and PPE.
• TreeStuff: TreeStuff is an online distributor of arborist climbing, rigging, and tree-care supplies, overlapping directly with RBI's arborist vertical and professional end-customer base.
• WesSpur Tree Equipment: WesSpur distributes arborist and tree-care equipment to professional climbers and tree-care companies, competing with RBI in the same specialty climbing-and-rigging product category.
• Forestry Suppliers: Forestry Suppliers distributes forestry, arborist, and field-research equipment, overlapping with RBI's forestry and arborist product categories for professional buyers.

Regional players

• Ben Meadows: Ben Meadows distributes forestry, environmental, and outdoor field supplies, with comparable specialty distribution but historically stronger ties to forestry and land-management professional buyers.

Broad incumbents

• Briggs & Stratton: Briggs & Stratton is a major small-engine OEM and RBI's longest-standing supplier partner; understanding its go-to-market dynamics is essential as both a partner and a potential direct-channel competitor to RBI's dealer model.
• Oregon Products (Blount International): Oregon is a major manufacturer of chains, bars, and OPE cutting accessories that RBI distributes; as a vertically integrated brand, Oregon's distribution strategy directly affects RBI's positioning and margins.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rbi-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 RBI Corporation