Cardinal Acoustics
Cardinal Acoustics is a family-owned Ohio manufacturer of cementitious wood fiber acoustical wall and ceiling panels (NRC up to 1.0, Class A fire rating), sold to architects, contractors, and building owners across the US, Canada, and Mexico through 22 reps and 100+ distribution yards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cardinal Acoustics does
Cardinal Acoustics, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, manufactures cementitious wood fiber acoustical panels for commercial and institutional interiors. Its products are made from fast-growing poplar bonded with magnesium oxide and span three categories: direct attached wall and ceiling panels (Standard, Complete), lay-in ceiling panels (Lay-In, Revealed Edge, Max Lay-In), and specialty products (Creative Shapes, Creative Clouds, Cardinal Cut, Cardinal Capture, Hanging Baffles, Cardinal Comfort, Cardinal Plus). Panels are offered in 5/8", 1", and 1-1/2" thicknesses with NRC ratings from 0.45 to 1.0 and a Class A fire rating with a 0.0 flame-spread, and they carry a full suite of sustainability certifications (FSC, EPD, HPD, Declare, USDA BioPreferred, LEED-contributing).
The company operates from a 62,000 sq ft owned manufacturing plant and warehouse in Springfield, OH, equipped with a Superfici America automated paint line installed in 2021 and a Global Shop operating system. Cardinal runs an inventory-based manufacturing model that enables 2-week standard and 4-week custom lead times, with no minimum order requirements and no upcharges for customized quantities. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales plus custom fabrication services, sold via a hybrid go-to-market: 22 independent sales representatives, 100+ distribution yards across the US with reach into Canada and Mexico, named distributor partners (IDI Distributors with 50+ US locations, Best Supply, L&W Supply), rep firms (Specified. in TX/NM/OK, Foster Architectural Products in CA/CO/WY/NE), and specification platforms (AIA MasterSpec, Material Bank).
Primary customer segments are K-12 and higher education (gymnasiums, cafeterias, auditoriums, music rooms), commercial buildings (offices, restaurants, churches, call centers), and the architects, contractors, and distributors who specify, install, and resell the products. Marketing is anchored by AIA-approved lunch-and-learn CEU programs, industry events (CISCA, AIA Conference on Architecture, INTEX), and content marketing. The company is family-owned by the Khourie family with no disclosed external investors and is led by President Bill Khourie alongside an experienced management team that includes former Tectum Inc. personnel.
Cardinal Acoustics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cardinal Acoustics
- Legal name
- Cardinal Acoustics Inc.
- Website
- https://cardinalacoustics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cardinal Acoustics is a family-owned Ohio manufacturer of cementitious wood fiber acoustical wall and ceiling panels (NRC up to 1.0, Class A fire rating), sold to architects, contractors, and building owners across the US, Canada, and Mexico through 22 reps and 100+ distribution yards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cardinal Acoustics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Acoustical Building Products
- NAICS
- Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)
- SIC
- Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Acoustic Gypsum Boards & Sound Control Systems (IMADAEAK)
Keywords
Where Cardinal Acoustics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cardinal Acoustics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wood Fiber Acoustical Panel Sales: One-time product sales of wood fiber acoustical panels with various thicknesses (5/8", 1", 1.5"), finishes (raw, painted natural, painted white, custom colors), and configurations (direct attached, lay-in, specialty shapes)
- Custom Fabrication Services: Custom panel cutting, shaping (hexagonal, circular, triangular), beveling, and finishing services bundled with panel orders
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | No minimum order requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cardinal Acoustics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cardinal Acoustics manufactures and sells cementitious wood fiber acoustical panels (poplar wood bonded with magnesium oxide) for sound absorption in commercial and institutional buildings. The portfolio spans Direct Attached Panels, Lay-In Panels, and Specialty Panels (shapes, clouds, cuts, hanging baffles), available in 5/8", 1", and 1.5" thicknesses with NRC ratings up to 1.0 and a Class A fire rating. The company also offers factory painting, custom cutting, custom shapes, and reverberation reporting, selling to architects, contractors, and building owners across the US, Canada, and Mexico through independent reps and distributors.
Product overview
Cardinal Acoustics manufactures and sells cementitious wood fiber acoustical panels for sound absorption in commercial and institutional buildings. The product portfolio is organized into three main categories: (1) Direct Attached Panels — including Cardinal Standard Interior Wall Panels, Direct Attached Ceiling Panels, and Cardinal Complete Panels (with pre-installed mounting strips); (2) Lay-In Panels — including standard Lay-In Ceiling Panels, Revealed Edge Panels, and Max Lay-In Panels for suspended ceiling grids; and (3) Specialty Panels — including Cardinal Creative (Shapes), Cardinal Creative Clouds, Cardinal Cut, Cardinal Capture, Hanging Baffles, and Cardinal Comfort. Panels are available in standard thicknesses of 5/8", 1", and 1-1/2", with NRC ratings ranging from 0.45 to 1.0, and all carry a Class A fire rating with a 0.0 flame-spread. The company also offers factory painting, custom cutting, and custom shapes. Products are sold to architects, contractors, and building owners across the US, Canada, and Mexico through a network of independent reps and distributors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cardinal Standard Interior Panel Direct attached wood fiber wall panel installed by screwing directly to walls, available in factory finishes of white and natural or four standard colors, paintable up to three times, with NRC up to 1.0. Used by architects and contractors on commercial and institutional wall projects.
- Direct Attached Ceiling Panel Direct attached wood fiber ceiling panel installed by screwing directly to ceilings, available in factory finishes of white and natural or four standard colors, paintable up to three times. Used in gymnasiums, cafeterias, classrooms, and other commercial ceilings.
- Cardinal Complete Panel Direct attached panel with pre-installed mounting strips for simplified installation, available in 5/8-inch and 1-inch thicknesses (with composite thicknesses of 1-5/8 inches and 2 inches), providing NRC up to 1.0. Designed to reduce contractor installation time on large projects such as the Tilden/Rock Terrace School deployment of 1,300 panels.
- Lay-In Ceiling Panel Wood fiber panel designed for suspended ceiling grid systems, easy to install and maintain, providing NRC up to 1.0 with a straight edge look. Used in standard commercial suspended ceiling applications including the University of Texas at Austin residence hall project.
- Revealed Edge Panel Lay-in wood fiber panel with a rabbeted (revealed) edge look for suspended ceilings, providing NRC up to 1.0 with an eye-catching design. Used where designers want a more pronounced grid aesthetic in ceilings.
- Max Lay-In Panel High-performance lay-in wood fiber panel for suspended ceilings offering enhanced sound absorption for projects requiring maximum noise reduction. Used in commercial and institutional projects where higher NRC ratings are required.
- Cardinal Creative Shapes Custom geometric wood fiber panels available in hexagonal, circular, and triangular shapes for artistic sound absorption designs in interiors. Used by architects and designers who want distinctive visual treatments combined with high NRC acoustics.
- Cardinal Creative Clouds Suspended horizontal wood fiber panels that provide an outside feel while absorbing sound, used to delineate distinct spaces within large rooms. Deployed at East Maine First Steps Preschool with custom green and blue circular clouds.
- Cardinal Cut Wood fiber panel with decorative cut patterns (diagonal right/left, horizontal, diamond, vertical, grid) for aesthetic sound absorption solutions where designers want pattern-based visual interest combined with high NRC acoustics.
- Cardinal Capture Specialty wood fiber acoustical panel designed for sound absorption in demanding spaces where high-performance noise control is required.
- Hanging Baffles Vertically suspended wood fiber panels using galvanized steel channels for noise absorption, available in two thicknesses, field machinable and paintable in any color. Used where vertical absorption is needed in large open spaces.
- Cardinal Comfort
Quantifiable outcome
- Lead times of 2 weeks standard, 4 weeks custom (twice as fast as industry standard)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Cardinal Acoustics
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Cardinal Acoustics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
Cardinal Acoustics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Superfici AmericacoreSuperfici America (largest subsidiary of Italian parent company founded 70+ years ago) provided Cardinal Acoustics with a compact flat line spray-and-dry paint system for automated paint application and curing. System is fully programmable with modular capabilities for future expansion.
- IDI DistributorscoreIDI Distributors is one of the top wholesale insulation sources in the US with 50+ locations. They provide Cardinal Acoustics products to subcontractors and contractors nationwide, enabling 48-hour service commitment. Partnership includes joint convention participation at CISCA and INTEX Expo.
- Best SupplycoreBest Supply has been a trusted interior building supplier for over 35 years, serving contractors in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. They provide Cardinal Acoustics products through their network of locations.
- Specified.coreSpecified. is a family-owned business founded in 1990, representing Cardinal Acoustics in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. They collaborate with architects, designers, and contractors from project conception to completion, providing product information, cost analysis, drawings, and project timelines.
- Foster Architectural ProductscoreFoster Architectural Products in Glendora, CA represents Cardinal Acoustics to builders and architects in California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Contact: Steven J. Foster (626.253.1814).
- L&W SupplycoreL&W Supply is a leading building materials distributor based in Chicago. They partnered with Cardinal Acoustics for the East Maine First Steps Preschool project, valuing Cardinal's quick follow-up and easy business relationship.
- Just Rite AcousticscoreJust Rite Acoustics near Chicago provides specialty ceilings and partnered with Cardinal Acoustics for the East Maine First Steps Preschool Creative Cloud installation. They specialize in quick turnaround ceiling work.
- Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories (RAL)coreRAL is an NVLAP-accredited acoustical testing agency with over 100 years of experience testing Cardinal Acoustics' wood fiber panel product lines. Testing includes STC, NRC, IIC, and Sound Power ratings. RAL is one of the premier acoustical testing centers in the nation.
- Material BankminorMaterial Bank is an online marketplace where architects and designers can explore, request, and receive material samples. Cardinal Acoustics products are available on the platform for next-day delivery to get products in front of architects early in the design process.
- MasterSpeccoreMasterSpec is an AIA product used by 21 of the top 25 architecture firms. Cardinal Acoustics has an Enhanced Listing in the platform providing product specifications, Basis of Design, and full contact information for verified spec content.
- M3 Contracting, LLCcoreM3 Contracting is a commercial drywall contractor established in 2009 serving Maryland, DC, northern Virginia, and Delaware. They installed Cardinal Complete Series Wall Panels at Tilden/Rock Terrace School (1,300 panels in 50 sizes, 10+ colors) and provide professional installation services.
- Millard DrywallcoreMillard Drywall is a commercial drywall subcontractor with 25+ years of experience specializing in commercial metal stud, drywall, insulation, and acoustical ceilings. Partnered with Cardinal Acoustics for San Marcos TX ISD new trades-skills classrooms.
- C.V. Lloyde AudiovisualminorC.V. Lloyde Audiovisual partnered with Cardinal Acoustics on the St. John Vianney Catholic Church project in Bettendorf, Iowa. They installed sound system and coordinated acoustical treatment design that reduced reverb time from 3 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
- Studio Kremer ArchitectsminorArchitect Cate Noble Ward from Studio Kremer Architects partnered with Cardinal Acoustics on the Bullitt Lick Middle School gymnasium acoustics project, running reverberation reports and determining panel specifications.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cardinal Acoustics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cardinal Acoustics social profiles
Digital presenceCardinal Acoustics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Cardinal Acoustics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cardinal Acoustics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Cardinal Acoustics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cardinal Acoustics 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 Cardinal Acoustics
What does Cardinal Acoustics do?
Cardinal Acoustics manufactures and sells cementitious wood fiber acoustical panels (poplar wood bonded with magnesium oxide) for sound absorption in commercial and institutional buildings. The portfolio spans Direct Attached Panels, Lay-In Panels, and Specialty Panels (shapes, clouds, cuts, hanging baffles), available in 5/8", 1", and 1.5" thicknesses with NRC ratings up to 1.0 and a Class A fire rating. The company also offers factory painting, custom cutting, custom shapes, and reverberation reporting, selling to architects, contractors, and building owners across the US, Canada, and Mexico through independent reps and distributors.
Is Cardinal Acoustics a public or private company?
Cardinal Acoustics is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Cardinal Acoustics founded?
Cardinal Acoustics was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cardinal Acoustics based?
Cardinal Acoustics is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cardinal Acoustics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wood Fiber Acoustical Panel Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Fabrication Services.
Does Cardinal Acoustics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cardinal Acoustics.
What industry is Cardinal Acoustics in?
Cardinal Acoustics's product category is Architectural Acoustical Building Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAEAK, Acoustic Gypsum Boards & Sound Control Systems. Its NAICS code is 337212 and its SIC code is 2430.