What Broco Rankin does

Broco Rankin is a privately held, Ontario, California-based manufacturer of specialty underwater cutting and welding equipment, tactical forced-entry tools, industrial exothermic cutting systems, and nickel hardfacing alloys. The company is a 2023 roll-up by Salt Creek Capital combining Broco, Inc. (founded 1968, exothermic cutting rods patented 1975, Approved for Navy Use since 1989) and Rankin Industries (founded 1938, hardfacing consumables), subsequently expanded with the 2024 acquisition of Ready Welder Corporation (portable battery-powered welding) and the pre-existing Chamberlain Security subsidiary. Core technology centers on oxygen-fueled exothermic cutting rods and torches that operate at up to 10,000°F using as little as 150 amps, complemented by proprietary wet-welding electrodes (SofTouch with BroCote flux, ProTouch, EasyTouch, NiTouch) certified to AWS D3.6 and MIL-STD-2035, VERSAlloy nickel hardfacing alloys, and PMA brazing preforms with 99.99% quality repeatability.

The company serves military and special operations (U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Special Forces, UK Military Recovery Units), tactical law enforcement and first responders, commercial diving and underwater infrastructure contractors, oil & gas and mining operators, aerospace manufacturers, and industrial fabricators. It sells through a global distributor network spanning 40+ countries, an owned e-commerce webstore with 50+ SKUs at price points from $230 to $2,500, and direct enterprise sales for government procurement, augmented by a newly launched Training and Consulting Division offering AWS, ABS, and USCG qualification services. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of consumables (cutting rods, electrodes) and equipment (torches, kits, hydraulic tools, portable welders, hardfacing alloys), with a growing contribution from professional services.

Broco Rankin is headquartered at 400 S. Rockefeller Ave., Ontario, California, employs 11-50 people, and is led by CEO Sterling Peloso following the 2023 Salt Creek Capital buyout from prior co-owners Richard A. and Richard M. Ferry. The business has been progressively professionalized under PE ownership, achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification in May 2025 and broadening its portfolio through M&A and adjacent product extensions.

Name

Broco Rankin

Legal name

Broco, Inc.

Website

https://broco-rankin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Broco Rankin is a PE-backed, Ontario, California-based manufacturer of patented underwater cutting and welding equipment, tactical forced-entry tools, industrial exothermic cutting systems, and specialty nickel hardfacing alloys serving military, law enforcement, commercial diving, oil & gas, mining, and industrial customers worldwide through a global distributor network, e-commerce, and direct government sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Welding and Cutting Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216), Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333132)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metallurgy, Welding Processes & Materials Science for Welders (EDAOADAJ), Underwater Salvage & Diving Operations (UWILD, Cutting, Welding) (IMAJANAD)

Keywords

• Underwater welding electrodes
• Exothermic cutting rods
• Tactical breaching equipment
• Hardfacing nickel alloys
• Portable welding systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Ontario

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Direct and Distributor: Direct sales of underwater cutting/welding equipment, tactical breaching tools, hardfacing products, and specialty nickel alloys through global distributor network and e-commerce webstore. Products include torches, electrodes, cutting rods, hydraulic tools, and custom alloys.
2. E-commerce Webstore Sales: Online sales of products through shop.broco-rankin.com, offering more than 50 products for direct customer ordering.
3. Training and Consulting Services: Newly launched training and consulting division offering welder qualification, procedure qualification to ABS and USCG requirements, and third-party consulting for underwater infrastructure projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Broco Rankin manufactures and sells underwater and industrial cutting torches, exothermic cutting rods, underwater welding electrodes, tactical forced-entry equipment, hardfacing and nickel alloy products, and portable battery-powered welding systems. The company also provides underwater welder qualification, procedure qualification, and third-party consulting services.

Product overview

Broco Rankin is a manufacturer of industrial and military-grade tools operating as a platform of specialized product lines under three main divisions: Broco (underwater cutting and welding, tactical/forced entry, industrial cutting), Rankin (hardfacing, PMA nickel alloys, Chamberlain Security), and Ready Welder (portable battery-powered welding - acquired October 2024). The core product portfolio centers on exothermic cutting technology using only oxygen for underwater, tactical, and industrial applications, complemented by underwater wet welding electrodes (ProTouch, SofTouch, EasyTouch, NiTouch), hydraulic tools (Brocuda), diamond saw blades, hardfacing alloys (VERSAlloy, Diamond Carbide), specialty brazing products (PMA Preforms), and tactical breaching equipment. The company serves military, law enforcement, commercial diving, oil & gas, mining, construction, and infrastructure maintenance sectors worldwide through a global distributor network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ReadyWelder: Portable battery-powered welding tool brand, originally founded in 1997. The ReadyWelder II allows users to weld anywhere using two 12-volt batteries without needing an electrical outlet.
• PMA Nickel Alloys (Protective Metal Alloys)
• Rankin Hardfacing
• Chamberlain Security
• Broco Underwater
• Broco Military & Tactical
• Broco Industrial

Products and services

• Broco Underwater Cutting Torches (BR-22, BR-22 PLUS) Industry-standard underwater exothermic cutting torches burning at up to 10,000°F using only oxygen, for professional commercial divers performing underwater cutting operations.
• Broco Underwater Exothermic Cutting Rods Patented exothermic cutting rods for underwater cutting of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Operate with up to 150 amps and only oxygen, can be bent up to 90 degrees for hard-to-reach places.
• ProTouch Underwater Welding Electrodes High-performing low carbon steel underwater welding electrodes with all position welding capabilities and certifiable weld quality, available in 1/8", 5/32", and 3/16" diameters.
• SofTouch Underwater Welding Electrodes Premium wet welding electrodes with proprietary BroCote flux formulation that effectively reduces hydrogen cracking. Available in mild steel and stainless steel variants.
• EasyTouch Underwater Welding Electrodes Economy market mild steel underwater welding electrodes designed for ease of use with good weld integrity and superior strength.
• NiTouch Underwater Welding Electrodes Nickel-based underwater welding electrodes for carbon and high tensile steels, qualified to 33 feet water depth with yield strengths exceeding 70 ksi and tensile strengths exceeding 80 ksi.
• BHT-2000 Brocuda Hydraulic Tool Versatile multi-function handheld hydraulic tool for underwater and topside use, used for grinding, polishing, drilling, cutting, and cleaning with interchangeable attachments.
• Broco Diamond Rescue Saw Blades High performance diamond cutting blades with double layer diamond in nickel alloy matrix, available in 4.5" to 16" diameters for breaching, rescue, and industrial cutting applications.
• Broco Industrial Exothermic Cutting Systems Professional exothermic cutting, piercing and gouging systems for industrial use, using only oxygen with the Broco torch burning at temperatures up to 10,000°F to cut cast iron, steel, stainless steel, concrete, and aluminum.
• Broco Military & Tactical Forced Entry Products Complete line of forced entry and breaching equipment including torch kits, rescue products, manual tools, saws, and training doors, ranging from mechanical to saw, torch, and dynamic hydraulics, for military and law enforcement.
• VERSAlloy Nickel Hardfacing Alloys Nickel alloy self-fluxing hardfacing rods and build-up products (VERSAlloy 40, 50, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 83) used for wear resistance against abrasion, corrosion, impact, and high temperature oxidation in mining, agriculture, oil & gas, and aerospace.
• PMA Diamond Carbide Hardfacing Products Diamond Carbide composite hardfacing rods blending nickel, chromium, boron alloy matrix with tungsten carbide, available in DC 40, DC 50, DC 60 grades for drilling, mining, and industrial applications.
• PMA Preforms (Custom Brazing Preforms) Custom-engineered brazing preform rings made of nickel-based alloys with 100% first-pass yield acceptance, custom dimensions within 0.0004", and 99.99% quality repeatability, in washers, rings, balls, discs, shims, and irregular shapes.
• Chamberlain Security Components High security components for safes, filing cabinets, and containers, including GSA-approved and UL-certified products for vaulted door safes, jewelry safes, gun safes, and various cabinets.
• ReadyWelder II Portable Battery-Powered Welder Battery-powered portable welding tool powered by two 12-volt batteries, enabling welding anywhere without an electrical outlet, for military, industrial workers, and professionals in remote environments.
• Broco Underwater Training & Consulting Services Professional certification, procedure qualification, and consulting services for underwater cutting and welding, including AWS D3.6 Class B welder qualifications, ABS/USCG procedure qualifications, and third-party consulting for offshore, civil engineering, green energy, and transportation infrastructure projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Underwater cutting uses only 150 amps compared to 300-500 amps for competing systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• Ready Welder CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Broco Rankin acquired Ready Welder Corporation in October 2024. Ready Welder pioneered the portable battery-powered welding market with the ReadyWelder II, allowing welding without electrical outlets. The acquisition expands Broco Rankin's product portfolio for remote and challenging environment applications.
• Chamberlain SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2017Broco Rankin acquired Chamberlain Security effective December 31, 2017. Chamberlain Security manufactures high security components for safes, filing cabinets, and ATMs, including GSA-approved and UL-tested components. Now part of Rankin Industries PMA division.
• BluHaptics, Inc.strategicTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2016Technology partnership announced April 2016 between Broco, Inc. and BluHaptics of Seattle, Washington to deliver advanced ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) solutions. The partnership aimed to revolutionize safety and performance of underwater cutting and welding operations using ROV technology.
• Global Distributor NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of authorized distributors for Broco Rankin products spanning United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Distributors specialize by product category including underwater, tactical, and industrial products.
• U.S. NavycoreOthersProducts have Approved for Navy Use (ANU) status and are included in the official U.S. Navy Underwater Cutting and Welding Manual since 1989. Broco products are standard equipment for Navy diving operations worldwide.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Electric: Global leader in welding products, cutting equipment, and consumables with broad industrial and military exposure. Overlaps with Broco Rankin in welding electrodes, hardfacing alloys, and exothermic/plasma cutting for industrial and defense applications.
• ESAB Corporation: Major manufacturer of welding and cutting equipment, filler metals, and gas apparatus. Direct overlap with Broco Rankin in welding consumables, exothermic and oxy-fuel cutting, and hardfacing alloys across industrial, shipbuilding, and energy end markets.
• Miller Electric (ITW): Large incumbent in arc welding equipment, including portable welders competitive with the ReadyWelder II. Overlaps with Broco Rankin in field-deployable welding solutions used by military, industrial, and first-responder markets.

Direct peers

• Hypertherm (Hypertherm Associates): Specialist in industrial cutting systems including plasma, waterjet, and laser technology. Competitor to Broco Industrial in metal cutting applications across construction, shipbuilding, and heavy industry.
• Kennametal Stellite: Manufacturer of cobalt and nickel-based wear-resistant alloys including hardfacing products. Direct competitor to PMA / Rankin Hardfacing for wear, abrasion, and high-temperature service in oil & gas, mining, and aerospace.
• Wall Colmonoy: Specialty producer of nickel-based brazing and hardfacing alloys with aerospace and industrial exposure. Comparable to PMA Nickel Alloys and PMA Preforms in precision brazing applications for jet engines and turbines.
• Select-Arc: Manufacturer of specialty welding electrodes including hardfacing and stainless consumables. Closely overlaps with Broco's SofTouch, ProTouch, NiTouch, and EasyTouch electrode lines for industrial and underwater welding.
• Combined Systems (Tactical Breaching): Manufacturer of tactical forced-entry and breaching tools for military and law enforcement. Direct overlap with Broco Military & Tactical's Backpack, MINI-TAC, Easylight, and Heavy Breach torch kits for SWAT and special operations.
• Special Metals (PCC): Producer of high-performance nickel-based alloys and welding consumables for aerospace, oil & gas, and marine. Competes with PMA's VERSAlloy and Diamond Carbide hardfacing ranges in severe-service and corrosion-resistant applications.

Others

• Phoenix International: Provider of underwater inspection, maintenance, and repair services to U.S. Navy and offshore industries — a key customer channel for Broco's underwater cutting and welding product lines rather than a product competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/brocorankin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/brocodemos
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrocoRankin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/broco-inc.-and-rankin-industries
• Instagraminstagram.com/gobrocorankin

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Broco Rankin