Kenco Engineering
Kenco Engineering is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1958 that designs and produces liquid-level, interface, and flow instrumentation — including magnetostrictive, ultrasonic, thermal-differential, magnetic, and sight-glass gauges and switches — for oil & gas, petrochemical, power, marine, and stationary engine/compressor end markets, sold globally through a network of 50+ distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersTulsa, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kenco Engineering does
Kenco Engineering Co. is a privately held, family-owned industrial-instrumentation manufacturer founded in 1958 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a sales and warehouse office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures liquid level, interface level, and flow measurement devices — including magnetostrictive transmitters (KT/KTC series), ultrasonic level switches (KUST/KUSG/KUSO), thermal-differential level and flow switches (KTDL/KTDF), magnetic level gauges (Magna-Site), tubular and flat-glass sight gauges (K9900, KMR/KHR, KMT/KHT, Safeguard, EPG, 8800, ESP/ST), bulk tank gauges (5700, 17000), float switches (KEFS, KPFS, 106/207), and sight flow indicators (KSF, FVSF) — for use in hazardous-area, high-pressure (up to 4000 psig), and high-temperature (up to 750°F–850°F) process service.
The company's product portfolio is built on proprietary sensing architectures including magnetostrictive waveguide position sensing, piezoelectric gap-detection level switching, dual-RTD thermal-differential level/flow detection, 360° magnetic-flux flag indication, and sealless magnetic-barrier float-switch designs, with multiple U.S. patents protecting flagship products. Manufacturing is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and individual products carry FM, CSA, UL, ATEX, IECEx, ABS Marine, NACE MR0175, and ASME B31.3 certifications, supporting sales to oil & gas (upstream/midstream/downstream), petrochemical, power generation, water/wastewater, pulp & paper, pharmaceutical/food & beverage, marine, and stationary engine/gas compressor OEM end markets.
KENCO monetizes through one-time sales of engineered industrial hardware via a hybrid direct-and-distributor model: a direct sales force and Inside Sales Department at Tulsa HQ handle enterprise customers and OEM relationships, while more than 50 authorized distributors and sales representatives with regional territory assignments sell into 90+ countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Pricing is quote-based, with cost varying by material selection (carbon steel, 316 SS, Hastelloy, Alloy 20, Inconel, Monel, PVC, CPVC, Kynar), connection type/size, seal material, sight-tube length, and certification requirements. KENCO has no external funding, no M&A history, no public listing, and is governed by third-generation family leadership (David Ragland, President; Ken Mills, International Sales/Marketing Manager; Chris Nelson, Purchasing Manager).
Kenco Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kenco Engineering
- Legal name
- KENCO Engineering Co.
- Website
- https://kenco-eng.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Kenco Engineering is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1958 that designs and produces liquid-level, interface, and flow instrumentation — including magnetostrictive, ultrasonic, thermal-differential, magnetic, and sight-glass gauges and switches — for oil & gas, petrochemical, power, marine, and stationary engine/compressor end markets, sold globally through a network of 50+ distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kenco Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Process Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Motor Encoders, Feedback & Condition Monitoring (Encoders, Vibration, Predictive) (IMAGACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sensors & Feedback Devices (Pressure, Flow, Position, Encoders, Transducers) (IMAHAGAK)
Keywords
Where Kenco Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tulsa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kenco Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Instrumentation Hardware Sales: Sells engineered industrial instrumentation products — level switches, level gauges, sight flow indicators, sight windows, chemical injection gauges, oil level controllers, dump valves, and pressure regulators — directly and through a global network of authorized distributors and sales representatives. Revenue is generated from one-time sales of engineered equipment rather than recurring subscriptions.
- Distributor Channel Sales: Authorized distributor and sales representative network in more than 90 countries sells KENCO products with regional territory assignments and product-line specialization (e.g., Chemical Injection, Engine & Gas Compressor, Level Measurement).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing; configuration-dependent with no published price list |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Kenco Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kenco Engineering manufactures and sells industrial instrumentation devices for liquid level measurement, interface detection, and flow observation. Its product range includes electronic level switches (ultrasonic, thermal differential, magnetostrictive), magnetic and flat-glass level gauges, sight flow indicators, sight windows, chemical injection gauges, oil level controllers for stationary engines and gas compressors, and pneumatic float switches. These engineered products are sold to oil & gas operators, OEMs, petrochemical plants, power generators, and water/wastewater facilities worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Magna-Site: KENCO's magnetic level gauge product line for visual tank liquid level measurement
- KT Series (Magnetostrictive Transmitter)
- KEFS Electric Float Switch
- KPFS Pneumatic Float Switch
- KSF Cast Body Sight Flow Indicators
Products and services
- Ultrasonic Liquid Level Switches (KUST, KUSG, KUSO) Point-level detection switches that use piezoelectric crystals to send and receive ultrasonic pulses across a gap; the presence of liquid completes the sound path and triggers the switch. KUST and KUSG are industrial-grade models with remote self-test on KUSG, and KUSO is a low-cost alternative for OEMs.
- Thermal Differential Level and Flow Switches (KTDL, KTDF) Two-RTD thermal-differential sensors that detect liquid level, liquid-liquid interface, or flow/no-flow conditions by sensing the temperature differential between a self-heated RTD and a reference RTD. KTDL is configured for level/interface and KTDF for flow, with stability <0.5% over ±50°F.
- KT Series Magnetostrictive Level Transmitters (KTR rigid, KTF flexible) High-accuracy in-tank magnetostrictive transmitters that simultaneously measure product level, interface level, temperature, and volume with inherent accuracy of ±0.039 inches (±1mm) and no scheduled maintenance or recalibration. Output options include Analog (4-20mA) with HART, Modbus RTU, or DDA.
- KEFS Electric Float Switch Magnetic float-operated electric switch with a sealless solid-stainless-steel pressure boundary that transmits magnetic field but not process liquid. Available with SPDT (5A or 8A) or DPDT (4A) microswitch configurations and CSA-certified housing for hazardous areas.
- KPFS Pneumatic Float Switch Magnetic float-operated pneumatic switch with sealless stainless-steel pressure boundary used to actuate pneumatic dump valves such as the KDV. Available in liquid-rising (-LR) and liquid-falling (-LF) configurations with optional filter/pressure regulator.
- Model 106 / 106-SS / 207 Pneumatic Float Switches Snap-acting pneumatic float switches for low-level alarms, automatic water make-up on cooling water expansion tanks, and tank level monitoring. Model 106 is anodized aluminum; Model 106-SS uses 316 SS wetted parts; Model 207 integrates a 106 in a carbon-steel tank with sight glass for automatic make-up service.
- Magna-Site Magnetic Level Gauge (with KTC Transmitter) Glass-free magnetic level gauge using a chamber, 360° magnetic float, and bicolored fluorescent flag assembly for visual indication. Optional KTC magnetostrictive transmitter adds continuous output via HART, Modbus RTU, or DDA, plus explosion-proof high/low level switches (Model 9958 latching / 9959 non-latching). ASME B31.3 compliant.
- K9900 Series Level Gauge Patented (U.S. Patent 6,857,315 B1) cast-design tubular sight glass gauge with floating misalignment unions (±1/4″), integral offset-pattern ball-check valves, inline vent/drain, and ABS-certified marine rating. Rated to 500 psig (34.47 bar).
- KMR and KHR Reflex Level Gauges and Valves Reflex-style flat-glass gauges with prism-faced glass that reflects light as silver where vapor is present and black where liquid is present. KMR (medium pressure) reaches 3000 psig (206.84 bar); KHR (high pressure) reaches 4000 psig (275.79 bar). NACE MR0175 compliant materials, ASTM standards.
- KWR and KWT Weld Pad Level Gauges Flat-glass gauges welded directly to the vessel wall, available in reflex (KWR) and transparent (KWT) configurations with optional mica or Kel-F shields. ASME-approved wetted materials; chamber can be machined to match vessel curvature. Rated to 750°F (398.8°C).
- 8800 Series Level Gauge Tubular sight glass gauge with 90° process connections and inline 1/4″ FNPT vent/drain ports for easy glass cleaning. ±1/16″ centerline dimensional tolerance. Polycarbonate shield can be calibrated for tank volume. Rated to 500 psig (34.47 bar).
- Safeguard Level Gauge One-piece armored replacement for tubular glass (U.S. Patent 4693117) that installs between existing KTV tubular valves. Metal nozzles (5/8″ or 3/4″ OD) seal in the valve stuffing box instead of glass, eliminating common breakage points. Polycarbonate shield can carry custom volume or height scales.
- EPG Environmental Protection Gauge Metal-nozzle tubular gauge (U.S. Patent 5442959) designed as a drop-in replacement for tubular glass to eliminate breakage and spills. 316 SS nozzles seal in the valve packing; clear polycarbonate shield provides 360° visibility without obstructing the fluid level.
- 5700 Bulk Tank Level Gauge Protected-sight-tube gauge for checking bulk tank contents and chemical pump injection rates via a one-minute test. Rated up to 500 psig; multiple polycarbonate shield options (RH, H, MRH, MH, M, L) for rate/height scales, with custom scales available.
- 17000 Bulk Tank Level Gauge 1″ OD sight tube gauge suited to viscous fluids, functioning as both level indicator and pump setting gauge. Rate scales can be calibrated in GPM, GPH, GPD, LPM, LPH, or LPD. Maximum pump rate of 25 GPD for a 12″ gauge section. 1″ MNPT top and bottom connections.
- 4400 Close-Mount Level Gauge Close-mount tubular gauge designed for minimum protrusion from the tank, suited to offshore, corrosive atmospheres, packaged hydraulic equipment, steel mill pumps, surge tanks, and radiator fluid levels. Available with 1/4″ or 1/2″ connections; maximum 135 psig (9.30 bar) at 150°F and 60″ center-to-center length.
- KTV Tubular Valve Sets Tubular gauge valves used with KENCO Safeguard and EPG gauges, featuring positive O-ring seals, ball-check shutoff, inline vent/drain, and braided PTFE stem packing. Threaded (1/2″ or 3/4″ MNPT) or 150#/300# RF flanged vessel connections; carbon steel or 316 SS wetted parts. Rated to 500 psig (34.47 bar).
- ESP/ST Series Armored Level Gauge Rugged tubular level gauge with armored frame (carbon steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, or PVC) for mechanical-impact protection. ST has a single sight tube; ESP adds an outer polycarbonate shield. Operates up to 500 psi with a wide range of sight tube and seal materials.
- Full View Sight Flow Indicators (FVSF) 360°-visibility sight flow indicators for vertical pipe installations, available in threaded and flanged end-plate configurations. Designed for low-pressure observation of flow; end plates available in carbon steel, 304 SS, 316 SS, PVC, and CPVC.
- KSF Cast Body Sight Flow Indicators Heavy-duty cast body sight flow indicators with radial sealing and bolt-on body design that requires no torquing maintenance. ANSI-rated threaded or flanged connections with mechanical indicators (flapper, rotor, drip tube, or plain) for flow visibility. 3-year warranty.
- KSW Series Threaded Sight Windows Low-cost threaded sight windows for viewing liquids, featuring electroless nickel plated carbon steel body with hermetically sealed clear glass lens. 2700 psig (186 bar) maximum operating pressure and 400°F (204°C) maximum operating temperature. Targeted at gas compressor scrubber vessels, separators, hydraulic tanks, pressure vessels, air compressors, oil reservoirs, lubrication systems, pumps, and coolant tanks.
Quantifiable outcome
- Since 1985 KENCO has built magnetic liquid level indicators with no scheduled maintenance or recalibration; KTC magnetostrictive transmitter provides inherent accuracy of ±0.039 inches (±1 mm).
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kenco Engineering
Customer profileSegments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kenco Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Kenco Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship domestic distributor, flagship uk / north sea distributor, flagship china distributor, flagship engine & gas compressor distributor, flagship asia-pacific distributor, flagship latin america distributor, flagship south texas distributor, flagship us multi-state distributor, flagship gulf coast distributor, flagship gcc distributor, flagship thailand distributor (oem-affiliated), flagship pacific northwest distributor, flagship company-owned us branch, flagship norwegian north sea distributor, flagship australia/new zealand distributor and flagship canadian distributor.
- Applied Controlsflagship domestic distributorAuthorized KENCO distributor based in Tulsa, OK covering Arkansas (719-729), Kansas, Missouri (640-658), Oklahoma, and Texas Panhandle (763, 790-794). Represents all KENCO products for industrial markets.
- Chemical Injection Utilities Ltd. (CIU)flagship uk / north sea distributorAberdeen, UK-based distributor covering the North Sea (UK sector) and Republic of Ireland, specializing in Chemical Injection Equipment, Level Measurement, and Sight Flow Indicators.
- Beijing Taihe Tech. & Develop. Technology Co., Ltd.flagship china distributorBeijing-based Chinese distributor representing all KENCO products in the China market.
- Hatraco B.V.flagship engine & gas compressor distributorNetherlands-based distributor with affiliated Hatraco Russia covering Moscow. Specializes in Engine & Gas Compressor Equipment and Oil Level Controllers for the European and Russian markets.
- Wasco Engineering Australia Pty. Ltd.flagship asia-pacific distributorAustralia-based distributor (Queensland) with affiliated Wasco Engineering International Limited in Dubai (JAFZA) — together covering Australia and the United Arab Emirates / broader Middle East for KENCO products.
- Lamar USAflagship latin america distributorFlorida (Doral) based distributor with affiliated Lamar USA Ecuador and Lamar USA Colombia — covering Florida (330-334, 339, 341) and Latin American territories (Ecuador, Colombia) for KENCO products.
- Bob Herbert & Associatesflagship south texas distributorMulti-location South Texas distributor with offices in Alice, Houston, Pleasanton, and Victoria covering South Texas ZIP ranges 770-789 (excluding 778) for all KENCO products, including chemical/oil patch market.
- Opeco, Inc.flagship us multi-state distributorUS distributor with five offices (Oklahoma City OK, Perryton TX, Kilgore TX, Laurel MS, Shreveport LA, Wichita KS) covering Northern Texas, Texas Panhandle, East Texas, Mississippi, Western Alabama, and Northern Louisiana.
- Modern Engineered Products (MEP)flagship gulf coast distributorLouisiana (Abita Springs) based distributor covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Gulf Coasts with Marine Markets specialization.
- Safar Oilfield Services / Safar Oilfield Supplies FZEflagship gcc distributorAbu Dhabi and Dubai (Jebel Ali Free Zone) based oilfield distributor covering the UAE and GCC region for KENCO products.
- INNIO Souer Co., Ltd. (formerly Souer)flagship thailand distributor (oem-affiliated)Phitsanulok Province, Thailand-based distributor covering Thailand, affiliated with INNIO for engine/compressor OEM channels.
- Pumptech Inc.flagship pacific northwest distributorUS distributor with offices in Bellevue, WA and Canby, OR covering Idaho, Washington, and Oregon for KENCO products.
- Kenco Louisiana (Baton Rouge Branch)flagship company-owned us branchCompany-owned branch office at 11616 Industriplex, Suite 7, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 — direct sales and warehouse covering Louisiana with all KENCO products except industrial markets.
- Flowtec ASflagship norwegian north sea distributorSola, Norway-based distributor covering the North Sea (Norwegian sector) for KENCO products.
- International Chemicals Engineering Pty. Ltd. (ICEng)flagship australia/new zealand distributorDandenong, Victoria-based distributor covering Australia for KENCO products.
- Zimco Instrumentation Inc.flagship canadian distributorCalgary, Alberta-based distributor covering Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for KENCO products in Western Canada.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kenco Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VEGA Americas: VEGA is a direct peer in level, point level, and pressure measurement, with strong positions in radar, ultrasonic, and capacitive technologies for chemical and petrochemical applications that overlap KENCO's process-industry customer base.
- Gems Sensors & Controls: Gems Sensors is a direct peer in liquid level switches, float switches, and ultrasonic level sensors, with comparable OEM and industrial process customers for tank gauging and lube-oil monitoring applications.
- Magnetrol (a unit of Roper Technologies): Magnetrol is a direct peer specializing in level and flow instrumentation for oil & gas, petrochemical, power, and water/wastewater, with overlapping magnetic level gauges, ultrasonic switches, thermal dispersion switches, and guided-wave radar offerings aimed at the same hazardous-area customers as KENCO.
Broad incumbents
- Yokogawa Electric Corporation: Yokogawa provides level, flow, pressure, and temperature instrumentation within its broader industrial automation portfolio; it competes with KENCO in oil & gas, petrochemical, and power projects globally through both direct and channel partners.
- Endress+Hauser: Endress+Hauser is a broad incumbent in process instrumentation covering level, flow, pressure, temperature, and analytical measurement; it competes with KENCO across oil & gas, chemical, and water/wastewater verticals but at a much larger global scale and with broader digital/IIoT offerings.
- Emerson Automation Solutions (Rosemount): Emerson's Rosemount and Branson portfolios span level, pressure, flow, and temperature instrumentation with strong IIoT/digital positioning; it competes with KENCO in upstream, midstream, and refining applications through its global direct and channel sales motion.
- ABB Measurement & Analytics: ABB offers a broad process instrumentation portfolio including level, flow, pressure, temperature, and analytical products; it overlaps with KENCO in oil & gas and petrochemical applications and competes via global EPC relationships.
- AMETEK, Inc. AMETEK is a diversified industrial instruments conglomerate with multiple process instrumentation and level measurement brands (including Flowline and others); it competes with KENCO across a broad set of process-industry verticals while also serving as a peer benchmark for valuation of niche industrial instrument businesses.
- WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG: WIKA is a broad industrial measurement incumbent producing mechanical and electronic level, pressure, temperature, and force instruments; it overlaps with KENCO's mechanical sight glass, level gauge, and chemical injection offerings for similar process-industry end users.
Emerging players
- Flowline (an AMETEK brand): Flowline is an emerging/specialized player focused on liquid level measurement, including ultrasonic, capacitance, optical, and float-based switches and sensors; it overlaps with KENCO's level switch portfolio in OEM and light-industrial applications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kenco Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceKenco Engineering compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Kenco Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kenco Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Kenco Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kenco Engineering 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 Kenco Engineering
What does Kenco Engineering do?
Kenco Engineering manufactures and sells industrial instrumentation devices for liquid level measurement, interface detection, and flow observation. Its product range includes electronic level switches (ultrasonic, thermal differential, magnetostrictive), magnetic and flat-glass level gauges, sight flow indicators, sight windows, chemical injection gauges, oil level controllers for stationary engines and gas compressors, and pneumatic float switches. These engineered products are sold to oil & gas operators, OEMs, petrochemical plants, power generators, and water/wastewater facilities worldwide.
Is Kenco Engineering a public or private company?
Kenco Engineering is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kenco Engineering founded?
Kenco Engineering was founded in 1958. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Kenco Engineering based?
Kenco Engineering is headquartered in Tulsa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kenco Engineering make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Industrial Instrumentation Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are distributor Channel Sales.
Who are Kenco Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VEGA Americas, Gems Sensors & Controls and Magnetrol (a unit of Roper Technologies). Broad incumbents are Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Endress+Hauser, Emerson Automation Solutions (Rosemount), ABB Measurement & Analytics, AMETEK, Inc. and WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG. Flowline (an AMETEK brand) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Kenco Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kenco Engineering.
What industry is Kenco Engineering in?
Kenco Engineering's product category is Industrial Process Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGACAJ, Motor Encoders, Feedback & Condition Monitoring (Encoders, Vibration, Predictive), with a secondary code of IMAHAGAK, Sensors & Feedback Devices (Pressure, Flow, Position, Encoders, Transducers). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3823.