American Backflow Specialties

What American Backflow Specialties does

American Backflow Specialties, Inc. is a privately held master wholesale distributor of backflow prevention equipment, repair parts, test gauges, enclosures, valves, and specialty tools, founded in 1988 and headquartered at 2860 Market Street, San Diego, California. The company carries authorized inventory across six major backflow manufacturers—Watts, Wilkins (Zurn), FEBCO, AMES, Apollo/Conbraco, and CLA-VAL—and distributes proprietary DUKE-branded products, including the DUKE EZ-900 computerized differential pressure test gauge and the DUKE Hydrovalve line (models 4100 through 4302). Adjacent offerings include SAFECAGE and SUPER SAFECAGE enclosures, Mid-West Instruments and ABBITZ test equipment, pressure reducing valves, automatic control valves, shut-off valves, specialty tools, pipe supports, and air gaps. The company also performs NIST-traceable calibration, repair, and annual certification of backflow test gauges with a stated two-day turnaround at $90 per gauge.

The business model is built on unit-priced hardware sales (price points from approximately $11 to $2,213) supplemented by a recurring calibration service revenue stream. Distribution is direct to end customers through toll-free and local phone lines plus an e-commerce website, with Net 30 credit terms available to commercial accounts via a formal credit application. Customer segments span plumbing contractors, municipal water utilities, fire protection contractors, irrigation contractors, and commercial/industrial buildings—all horizontal use cases anchored on cross-connection control and potable-water protection. Operational differentiators include same-day shipping on in-stock items ordered before 12 noon PST, an unusually broad cross-brand repair-parts catalog, and exclusive service-provider status for DUKE-branded test equipment. The company maintains a low-profile marketing presence across YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram focused on product education and category awareness rather than demand capture at scale.

Name

American Backflow Specialties

Legal name

American Backflow Specialties, Inc.

Website

https://americanbackflow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

American Backflow Specialties is a privately held master wholesale distributor founded in 1988 in San Diego, California, supplying backflow prevention assemblies, repair parts, test equipment, enclosures, and proprietary DUKE gauges to plumbing contractors, municipal water utilities, fire protection contractors, and irrigation contractors across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Backflow prevention equipment wholesale distribution

NAICS

Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42383), Business Support Services (5614)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Backflow Preventer Repair & Rebuild (HSAOALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Backflow Device Testing & Certification (HSAOALAA), Backflow Assembly Upgrades & Code Compliance Retrofits (HSAOALAI), Backflow Prevention Testing & Service (Fire/Water Systems) (IMAIAJAG)

Keywords

• Backflow prevention equipment
• Wholesale distribution plumbing
• Water distribution supplies
• Pressure reducing valves
• Backflow test gauges

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Backflow Prevention Products: Sale of backflow prevention assemblies, repair kits, parts, test equipment, enclosures, and valves from major manufacturers (Watts, Wilkins, Febco, Ames, Apollo, Conbraco, Cla-Val). Products range from $17.60 (pipe taps) to over $2,000 (full assemblies).
2. Calibration and Repair Services: Gauge calibration, repair, and annual certification services for backflow test equipment with two-day turnaround.
3. Pressure Reducing Valves and Regulators: Sale of pressure reducing valves (PRV) for residential and commercial water distribution systems. Products include Wilkins NR3XL, 500XL, 600XL, 70XL series priced from $257.99 to $1,857.99.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

American Backflow Specialties is a master wholesale distributor of backflow prevention assemblies, repair kits, parts, test equipment, enclosures, and valves, carrying products from major manufacturers including Watts, Wilkins (Zurn), Febco, Ames, Apollo/Conbraco, and Cla-Val. The company also distributes proprietary DUKE-branded test gauges and hydrovalves, sells specialty tools and accessories, and provides NIST-traceable calibration and certification services for backflow test gauges with a two-day turnaround.

Product overview

American Backflow Specialties is a master wholesale distributor of backflow prevention equipment and related products, operating since 1988. The product portfolio centers on backflow prevention assemblies (WATTS, WILKINS, FEBCO, AMES, APOLLO/CONBRACO, CLA-VAL brands) combined with a full ecosystem of supporting products: repair parts and kits for all major brands, the proprietary DUKE EZ-900 computerized differential pressure tester, DUKE Hydrovalves, SAFECAGE/SUPER SAFECAGE enclosures, pressure reducing valves, shut-off valves, automatic control valves, specialty tools, pipe supports, and air gaps. The company also provides calibration services and sells the USC Manual of Cross-Connection Control. Same-day shipping is available for in-stock items ordered before 12 noon PST.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DUKE Products: Proprietary line of differential pressure test gauges and hydrovalves sold exclusively through American Backflow Specialties.
• SAFECAGE
• SUPER SAFECAGE

Quantifiable outcome

• Same day shipping on all in-stock items for orders placed before 12 noon PST
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WattscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Watts backflow prevention products including repair parts, kits, and complete assemblies. Products include LF825Y reduced pressure zone assemblies, LF009 series, and pressure reducing valves.
• Wilkins (Zurn Wilkins)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Wilkins (Zurn) backflow prevention products including 950XL, 975XL, 720A series, and pressure reducing valves (NR3XL, 500XL, 600XL, 70XL series).
• FEBCOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of FEBCO backflow prevention assemblies including LF825Y reduced pressure zone assemblies, 765 pressure vacuum breakers, and related products.
• AMEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Ames backflow prevention solutions including single and double check valve assemblies, reduced pressure zone assemblies, and vacuum breakers.
• Apollo (Conbraco)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Apollo/Conbraco backflow products and repair parts.
• CLA-VALcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Cla-Val automatic control valves and backflow prevention products.
• Mid-West InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Mid-West Instruments differential pressure test gauges and backflow test kits (Model 845, 835 series).
• DUKE ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive service provider for DUKE EZ-900 Backflow Test Gauge. Also distributes DUKE Hydrovalve products. Proprietary calibration and repair services for DUKE equipment.
• ABBITZ MeasurementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of ABBITZ differential pressure indicators for backflow testing applications.
• SAFECAGEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of SAFECAGE and SUPER SAFECAGE backflow enclosures in sizes 28", 32", 38", 44", 45". Promotional offer of $25 off with any backflow purchase.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Core & Main: Major distributor of water, sewer, and storm drainage products to municipalities and contractors. Overlaps with ABS in backflow preventers, repair parts, and water distribution valves for municipal water utility customers.
• Ferguson Enterprises: Largest U.S. plumbing and waterworks distributor with national reach. Comparable because it sells the same backflow assemblies, valves, and repair kits to overlapping contractor and municipal customers, but at significantly greater scale.
• HD Supply Waterworks: Large-scale distributor of plumbing, waterworks, and infrastructure products. Competes for the same plumbing contractor and municipal utility spend as ABS but with vastly broader catalog and geographic coverage.
• Watts Water Technologies: Large manufacturer of backflow prevention assemblies (including the FEBCO and Ames brands) that also sells through direct and distribution channels. Comparable because it both supplies and competes with specialty backflow distributors like ABS.
• Reliance Worldwide Corporation:
• Zurn Wilkins: Manufacturer of Wilkins-branded backflow preventers and pressure reducing valves. ABS is an authorized Wilkins distributor, making Zurn a critical upstream partner and a competitor if it expands direct distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCn58Bin5rr9dWgKzMokQxQ/featured?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/americanbackflow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-backflow-specialties
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanbackflow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 American Backflow Specialties