Backer Hotwatt
Backer Hotwatt is a US-based manufacturer of precision electric resistance heating elements serving OEM customers in medical devices, semiconductor, photonics, railroad, automotive/fuel cell, HVAC, and scientific instruments markets, distributing via regional reps and direct sales globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersDanvers, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Backer Hotwatt does
Backer Hotwatt, Inc. is a US-based private manufacturer of precision electric resistance heating elements, founded in 1952 and headquartered in Danvers, Massachusetts. The company operates as a subsidiary of Backer Group (Backer North America), a diversified industrial heating conglomerate. Backer Hotwatt designs and manufactures cartridge heaters, micro-cartridge heaters, immersion heaters, air process heaters, tubular and finned tubular heaters, band heaters, ceramic heaters, strip heaters, and supporting temperature/voltage control devices. Its core proprietary technology is the patented SunRod split-sheath micro-cartridge heater, which expands when energized for maximum heat transfer and contracts when de-energized for easy removal, with a guaranteed no-seize performance and 25,000+ hour lifespan. The company also holds the Glasrope and Superwatt sub-brands, and supports temperatures up to 1,400°F (760°C) across its product range.
The business operates on a custom-engineered OEM hardware sales model, with quote-based pricing rather than published catalog pricing. It serves vertical markets including medical devices, semiconductor manufacturing, photonics and opto-electronics, railroad and rail transit, automotive/hydrogen fuel cells, HVAC, and scientific instruments. Go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct sales (phone, email, engineering consultation) with a network of regional representatives and distributors covering the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, New Zealand, and Singapore. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, is REACH and RoHS 3 compliant, and maintains UL/CSA recognized components across multiple product lines. Manufacturing is US-based (Danvers, MA), and the firm emphasizes engineering consultation and customization as its primary differentiation against larger commodity heating element suppliers.
Backer Hotwatt firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backer Hotwatt
- Legal name
- Backer Hotwatt, Inc.
- Website
- https://hotwatt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Backer Hotwatt is a US-based manufacturer of precision electric resistance heating elements serving OEM customers in medical devices, semiconductor, photonics, railroad, automotive/fuel cell, HVAC, and scientific instruments markets, distributing via regional reps and direct sales globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Backer Hotwatt industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Electric Heating Elements
- NAICS
- Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Heat Exchangers, Coils & Hydronic HVAC Components (IMADANAF)
Keywords
Where Backer Hotwatt is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Danvers
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Backer Hotwatt business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Electric Heating Elements: Design and manufacture of custom and standard electric heating elements for OEMs across multiple industries including medical devices, semiconductor, photonics, railroad, automotive, HVAC, and scientific instruments. Products include cartridge heaters, tubular heaters, immersion heaters, air process heaters, band heaters, and specialized heating solutions.
- Standard Catalog Products: Sale of standard heating elements from inventory with various wattages, voltages, and configurations. Products include stock cartridge heaters, immersion heaters, band heaters, finned strip heaters, and accessories.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels18 records
Marketing channels6 records
Backer Hotwatt product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backer Hotwatt designs and manufactures precision electric heating elements, including cartridge heaters, micro-cartridge heaters, immersion heaters, air process heaters, tubular and finned tubular heaters, band heaters, ceramic heaters, strip heaters, crankcase heaters, Glasrope and foil heaters, and etched foil and wire-wound heaters, along with temperature and voltage controlling devices. Products are sold as both custom-engineered solutions built to OEM specifications and standard catalog items, with operating temperatures up to 1400°F (760°C) across a wide range of sizes, wattages, voltages, and sheath materials. The company serves medical, semiconductor, photonics, railroad, automotive/fuel cell, HVAC, scientific instruments, and military/commercial OEM customers worldwide.
Product overview
Backer Hotwatt manufactures precision electric heating elements for industrial and commercial applications. The product portfolio centers on cartridge heaters (the company's most popular product), micro-cartridge heaters with patented SunRod split-sheath technology, immersion heaters for liquid heating, and tubular/finned tubular heaters for versatile surface and air heating. Supporting products include air process heaters (up to 1000°F), ceramic and strip heaters (up to 1200°F), band heaters, crankcase heaters, and Glasrope®/foil heaters. The company also offers temperature and voltage controlling devices, stock heaters for immediate delivery, and accessories such as bushings, flanges, and enclosures. Backer Hotwatt provides both standard catalog products and custom-engineered solutions, serving markets including medical devices, semiconductor, HVAC, railroad, automotive/fuel cells, photonics, and scientific instruments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Superwatt: High watt density cartridge heater product line offering maximum temperature, watt density, heat transfer, and heater life.
- SunRod
- Glasrope
Products and services
- Cartridge Heaters Precision electric heating elements designed for insertion into boreholes, available in diameters from 1/8" to 2-3/8" and lengths from less than 1" to over 4 feet, supporting temperatures up to 1400°F (760°C). Intended for OEM customers across industrial and commercial applications.
- Micro-Cartridge Heaters Miniature tube-shaped heating elements for small-diameter boreholes, starting at just 1/2-inch in length, available in diameters as small as 1/8-inch and 4mm. Includes Low-Watt Density, High-Watt Density Superwatt, and patented SunRod split-sheath designs for precision heating in restricted spaces. Target use cases are OEM applications requiring compact, high-precision heating.
- Immersion Heaters Direct immersion heaters for heating water, oil, chemicals, and inert gases in tanks, boilers, and storage vessels. Available in various watt densities and sheath materials with optional junction boxes for environmental protection. Built with Series 316 stainless steel sheath, mica insulation, and magnesium oxide packing. For OEM and industrial liquid heating applications.
- Air Process Heaters Electric heaters for delivering precise hot air and gas up to 1000°F (540°C), featuring infinite control via voltage and air velocity adjustment. Available in standard tee, maximum flow, pure flow, and heavy-duty models for industrial and commercial air heating applications.
- Sun Rod Heater
Quantifiable outcome
- SunRod heaters provide 25,000+ hours of heater life
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Backer Hotwatt
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Backer Hotwatt technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Backer Hotwatt partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Prime Industrial Components, Inc.coreEastern US representative covering New Jersey area. Part of the core distribution network for Backer Hotwatt products in the Eastern United States.
- W.K. Hile CompanycoreEastern US representative covering North Carolina area. Part of the regional sales network for heating element distribution.
- Clearwater Inc.coreEastern US representative covering Virginia area. Regional distribution partner for Backer Hotwatt products.
- Beacon Distributors Inc.coreEastern US representative covering Florida area. Regional distribution partner.
- The Massey CompanycoreEastern US representative covering Georgia area. Regional sales representative.
- Allied EnterprisescoreCentral US representative covering Ohio area. Regional distribution partner.
- ETS Equipment Co.coreCentral US representative covering Illinois area. Regional sales representative.
- Lemmel-Neill AssociatescoreCentral US representative covering Texas area. Regional distribution partner.
- Hill and CompanycoreCentral US representative covering Missouri and Kansas City areas. Regional sales representative with multiple office locations.
- Belilove Company-EngineerscoreWestern US representative covering California area. Engineering-focused distribution partner.
- Stoneway Electric SupplycoreWestern US representative covering Washington area. Regional distribution partner.
- Ke-Tech Heaters & Controls Inc.coreCanada representative covering Manitoba area. International distribution partner.
- Variotherm GmbHcoreEurope representative covering Germany. International distribution partner with measurement and control technology focus.
- Sibalco Ag.coreEurope representative covering Switzerland. International distribution partner.
- Argus HeatingcoreNew Zealand representative covering Christchurch area. International distribution partner.
- Solidheat Industries PTE, Ltd.coreSingapore representative covering Southeast Asia. International distribution partner.
- Hawco Ltd.coreUK representative covering Surrey area. International distribution partner.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Backer Hotwatt competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Backer Hotwatt social profiles
Digital presenceBacker Hotwatt compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Backer Hotwatt financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backer Hotwatt leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Backer Hotwatt funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backer Hotwatt 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 Backer Hotwatt
What does Backer Hotwatt do?
Backer Hotwatt designs and manufactures precision electric heating elements, including cartridge heaters, micro-cartridge heaters, immersion heaters, air process heaters, tubular and finned tubular heaters, band heaters, ceramic heaters, strip heaters, crankcase heaters, Glasrope and foil heaters, and etched foil and wire-wound heaters, along with temperature and voltage controlling devices. Products are sold as both custom-engineered solutions built to OEM specifications and standard catalog items, with operating temperatures up to 1400°F (760°C) across a wide range of sizes, wattages, voltages, and sheath materials. The company serves medical, semiconductor, photonics, railroad, automotive/fuel cell, HVAC, scientific instruments, and military/commercial OEM customers worldwide.
Is Backer Hotwatt a public or private company?
Backer Hotwatt is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Backer Hotwatt founded?
Backer Hotwatt was founded in 1952. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Backer Hotwatt based?
Backer Hotwatt is headquartered in Danvers, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backer Hotwatt make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Electric Heating Elements are the primary driver. The others are standard Catalog Products.
Does Backer Hotwatt have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backer Hotwatt.
What industry is Backer Hotwatt in?
Backer Hotwatt's product category is Industrial Electric Heating Elements. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAC, Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment, with a secondary code of IMADANAF, Heat Exchangers, Coils & Hydronic HVAC Components. Its NAICS code is 333414 and its SIC code is 3585.