Koester

What Koester does

Koester Associates is a privately held manufacturer's representative and distributor serving the municipal water and wastewater industry in New York State, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey. Founded in 1973 by Don Koester and now led by CEO Mark Koester and President Gregg Palmer, the firm represents more than 40 leading equipment manufacturers, including Xylem, Evoqua, Alfa Laval, ABB, Kaeser, GEA, Andritz, Franklin Electric, and Trojan, covering actuators, blowers, pumps, pump stations, grit removal, sedimentation, disinfection, chemical feed, and solids handling. The company holds two offices: a headquarters in Canastota, New York for Upstate coverage and a satellite office in Kinnelon, New Jersey for downstate and Northern New Jersey markets.

The firm's revenue model combines equipment sales, aftermarket OEM and compatible parts distribution, on-site field service, comprehensive retrofit solutions (including energy efficiency, electrical controls, and aeration upgrades), and PIE-approved technical training that offers PDH and operator credits. It is the designated Northeast Service Center for several manufacturers it represents. Customers are primarily municipalities, with supporting relationships to consulting engineers, contractors, and plant maintenance personnel. Differentiation rests on over 50 years of regional presence, in-house NYS Certified Professional Engineers, factory-certified field technicians, and an integrated lifecycle offering spanning project concept, specification, submittals, installation, startup, parts, and retrofits.

Koester is a family-controlled business that has operated continuously since 1973 without external institutional capital. The company appears to be growing organically through geographic extension (the Kinnelon office), leadership buildout (a new SVP of Downstate Operations appointed in 2025), and expansion of retrofit services tied to aging municipal infrastructure and energy-cost mandates. There are no patents, no proprietary software products, no AI/ML capabilities, and no disclosed financials in the source material.

Name

Koester

Legal name

Koester Associates

Website

https://koesterassociates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Koester Associates is a privately held manufacturer's representative and distributor serving municipal water and wastewater customers across New York State, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey. The firm represents over 40 equipment manufacturers, distributes OEM and aftermarket parts, provides field service and retrofit solutions, and is staffed by NYS Certified Professional Engineers and factory-certified technicians.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Wastewater Treatment Equipment

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

Keywords

• Water treatment equipment
• Wastewater pumping systems
• Water equipment distribution
• Wastewater field service
• Pump station solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Canastota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Koester represents over 40 leading manufacturers of water and wastewater treatment equipment including actuators, blowers, pumps, valve vaults, grit removal, pump stations, and sedimentation equipment. Revenue is generated through direct sales of equipment to municipalities and contractors.
2. Aftermarket Parts: Koester maintains an inventory and has access to a comprehensive range of OEM and compatible parts for water and wastewater equipment. Parts orders are fulfilled for replacement and maintenance needs.
3. Service and Maintenance: Field service including on-site repair, troubleshooting, process equipment service, and instrumentation maintenance. Koester serves as the Northeast Service Center for several manufacturers they represent.
4. Retrofit Solutions: Comprehensive retrofit services including energy efficiency projects, electrical controls and instrumentation, treatment systems, pumping stations, clarification, chemical feed systems, dewatering, and aeration/blower retrofits.
5. Technical Training: Koester offers remote and onsite training and seminars for plant personnel. They provide PDH credits for engineers and operator credits for water and wastewater operators through Professional Institute of Technology (PIE) approved presentations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Koester Associates operates as a manufacturer representative and distributor, representing over 40 leading manufacturers of water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and control equipment for municipal, engineering, and contractor customers. The company sells equipment, parts, and provides field service, retrofit solutions, engineering support, and technical training across New York State, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey.

Product overview

Koester Associates provides comprehensive water and wastewater treatment solutions, representing over 40 leading manufacturers. The company operates as a single unified offering combining equipment (actuators, blowers, grit removal, pump stations, sedimentation), applications (headworks, secondary/tertiary treatment, disinfection, chemical feed, solids handling), parts (OEM and compatible components including Sonic Start Bulk Head, Red Ring Assemblies, Mechanical Seals), services (pump repairs, troubleshooting, field service), and retrofits (energy efficiency, electrical controls, treatment systems, pumping stations, clarification, chemical feed, dewatering, aeration). Services are delivered through a network of factory-certified technicians, NYS Certified Professional Engineers, and include technical training and professional development credits. The company serves as the Northeast Service Center for multiple manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Equipment Distribution of water and wastewater treatment equipment from over 40 leading manufacturers, including actuators, blowers, grit removal systems, pump stations, and sedimentation equipment, supplied to municipalities, engineers, and contractors.
• Treatment Applications and Process Systems Application solutions for water and wastewater treatment including headworks, secondary and tertiary treatment, disinfection, chemical storage and feed, and solids handling systems, delivered through Koester's manufacturer partners.
• Replacement Parts Inventory OEM and compatible replacement parts inventory including Sonic Start Bulk Head, Red Ring Complete Assembly, mechanical seals, and other components for water and wastewater equipment, ordered via phone or email.
• Field Service and Repair On-site repair, troubleshooting, process equipment service, and instrumentation maintenance delivered by factory certified technicians, including emergency response for failed pumps, chemical feed system malfunctions, and sludge dewatering issues. Koester also serves as the Northeast Service Center for multiple manufacturers.
• Retrofit Solutions Comprehensive retrofit services spanning energy efficiency, electrical controls and instrumentation, treatment systems, pumping stations, clarification, chemical feed systems, dewatering, and aeration/blower upgrades, delivered for more than half a century.
• Technical Training and Seminars Remote and onsite training programs and seminars for plant personnel, providing PDH credits for engineers and operator credits for water and wastewater operators through PIE-approved presentations.
• Engineering and Technical Support Services Project planning and design support services working with owners, engineers, and contractors from planning through construction and system start-ups, including proposals, CAD drawings, specification writing, submittals, O&M preparation, and internal project management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Koester serves as the Northeast Service Center for several manufacturers they represent
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• 360waterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. 360water specializes in water treatment solutions.
• ABBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. ABB provides drives for water and wastewater applications.
• Alfa LavalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Alfa Laval provides fluid handling and fluid control equipment.
• KaeserminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Kaeser provides compressed air systems and blowers.
• Xylem (Leopold, Sanitaire)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Xylem brands provide filtration, aeration, and treatment equipment.
• Franklin ElectricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Franklin Electric provides pumping solutions.
• Pentair AuroraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Pentair Aurora provides pumping and flow solutions.
• EvoquaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Evoqua provides water treatment solutions and anaerobic digestion components.
• AndritzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Andritz provides waste industry solutions.
• GEAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. GEA provides centrifuges and separation equipment.
• Huber TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Huber provides wastewater treatment equipment.
• TrojanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturer represented by Koester Associates. Trojan provides UV disinfection systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Tech: Large engineering consulting firm with deep water and wastewater practice that performs planning, design, and construction services for municipal utilities—often specifying or recommending the type of equipment Koester distributes.
• Evoqua Water Technologies: Water and wastewater treatment equipment and services company (now part of Xylem). Evoqua is both a represented principal of Koester and a competitor through direct municipal sales and service offerings in the Northeast U.S.
• Pentair: Global water solutions company whose Pentaur Aurora pumps business is a represented principal of Koester. Pentair's direct municipal sales and broader flow/water-treatment portfolio overlap with Koester's offerings.
• ITT Inc. Diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components including pumps (Goulds, Bell & Gossett), valves, and motion technologies for water/wastewater applications—competing with Koester's principal-supplied pumping offerings.
• Xylem: Global water technology company that owns several brands Koester represents (Leopold, Sanitaire, Bell & Gossett). Xylem's broad direct municipal sales force, digital platforms, and treatment-system portfolio compete head-on with the equipment and service solutions Koester distributes.
• Veolia Water Technologies: Major water and wastewater treatment solutions provider offering equipment, chemicals, and digital services to municipal and industrial customers. Overlaps with Koester's municipal customer base across treatment, pumping, and instrumentation categories.
• Mueller Water Products: Manufacturer of water infrastructure products including valves, hydrants, and pipe repair solutions serving U.S. municipal water utilities. Overlaps with Koester's distribution focus on water distribution and treatment equipment.

Direct peers

• Vessco: A regional manufacturer's representative in the water and wastewater equipment market with a comparable multi-principal rep model and municipal customer focus; Koester appears to be affiliated through Vessco's recruiting/job board infrastructure, indicating closely aligned operations and overlapping service categories.
• Smith & Loveless: U.S. manufacturer of wastewater treatment equipment, pump stations, and lift stations focused heavily on municipal markets. Competes with Koester in equipment supply and aftermarket service for similar utility customers.
• Carollo Engineers: Engineering consulting firm dedicated exclusively to water and wastewater, providing planning, design, and construction management to municipal utilities—directly comparable technical expertise to Koester's in-house PE team and frequently specifying the equipment Koester sells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Koester