Compressed Air & Gas Institute

What Compressed Air & Gas Institute does

The Compressed Air & Gas Institute (CAGI) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1915 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, representing manufacturers, distributors, and component suppliers across the compressed air and gas industry. The institute organizes its membership into seven product and market sections: Compressor Manufacturers, Air Compressor Distributors, Pneumatic Tools & Accessories, Rock Drill, Vacuum, Wire Rope, and Compressed Air & Gas Treatment, drawing participation from more than 40 member companies active in US, European, and Asian markets.

CAGI's core deliverables fall into three categories: (1) standards development and maintenance, including secretariat and co-secretariat roles on ISO 1217 (compressor displacement), ISO 7183 (dryers), ANSI/CAGI B186.1 (safety), and CAGI B19.1; (2) training and certification delivered through the Compressed Air Challenge (CAC) education foundation, comprising Foundations, CAC Fundamentals Level 1, CAC Advanced Level 2, and the CCASS credential; and (3) reference and verification products, including the Compressed Air & Gas Handbook, Data Sheets, Excel-based Calculation Tools, and the independently verified Performance Verification Program, which is open to non-members. CAGI coordinates with external bodies including Pneurop (Europe), the US Department of Energy, EPA, UL, the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), and the Alliance to Save Energy on energy efficiency and equipment policy.

The institute's revenue model is a non-profit mix of member dues (organized by section), paid training and certification enrollments, handbook and data sheet sales, and Performance Verification Program fees. Distribution and stakeholder engagement are supported through partnerships with trade publications and adjacent trade bodies, with no disclosed equity funding, acquisition activity, or AI/ML capability.

Name

Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Legal name

Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Website

https://cagi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CAGI is a Cleveland-based non-profit trade association founded in 1915 that develops compressed air and gas industry standards, delivers training and certification through the Compressed Air Challenge, and runs a performance verification program for more than 40 member manufacturers, distributors, and component suppliers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CAGI generates revenue through membership fees from manufacturers of air and gas compressors, blowers, vacuum equipment, nitrogen generators, compressed air and gas drying equipment, and other compressed air system equipment. Member benefits include standards participation, ISO standards access, government interaction, industry statistics, networking, promotion, and technical consulting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CAGI is a non-profit trade association that develops and maintains industry standards (ISO 1217, ISO 7183, ANSI/CAGI B19.1, ANSI/CAGI B186.1), runs a third-party Performance Verification Program with standardized data sheets for rotary compressors and refrigerated dryers, and delivers product-neutral training and certification (Foundations e-learning, CAC Fundamentals Level 1, CAC Advanced Management Level 2, and the CCASS professional credential) for compressed air equipment manufacturers, facility engineers, and sales and service professionals.

Product overview

The Compressed Air & Gas Institute (CAGI) operates as a unified industry association offering a portfolio of educational, verification, and standardization services rather than a single product. The core offerings include the Performance Verification Program for independent testing of rotary compressors and refrigerated dryers; training programs comprising the Foundations of Efficient Compressed Air Systems e-learning course and the CAC (Compressed Air Challenge) instructor-led courses at Fundamentals (Level 1) and Advanced Management (Level 2) levels; and the Certified Compressed Air System Specialist (CCASS) professional certification. Supporting resources include the Compressed Air & Gas Handbook (authoritative industry reference with downloadable chapters), CAGI Data Sheets (standardized performance reporting formats), Calculation Tools (Excel-based calculators for pressure, volume, cost analysis), Educational Videos, and Technical Articles covering centrifugal compressors, nitrogen systems, reciprocating compressors, and efficiency trends. The organization serves as the standards development body maintaining ISO-aligned test codes (ISO 1217, ISO 7183) and safety standards (CAGI B19.1, ANSI/CAGI B186.1).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performance Verification Program Third-party testing program that validates manufacturers' performance claims for rotary compressors (5-200HP) and refrigerated dryers (50-1000 scfm) by testing random samples against published CAGI Data Sheets; open to manufacturers globally regardless of CAGI membership.
• Foundations of Efficient Compressed Air Systems Course Self-paced e-learning course with seven modules covering compressed air fundamentals, designed for sales and service professionals to learn about compressor basics, air treatment, system design, and efficiency optimization.
• CAC Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems (Level 1) Instructor-led training course teaching facility engineers and operators how to achieve 15-25% cost savings through effective compressed air production and use, covering leak detection, demand control, and performance measurement; available in-person and virtually.
• CAC Advanced Management of Compressed Air Systems (Level 2) In-depth technical training on troubleshooting and improving industrial compressed air systems, covering system profiling, maintenance programs, air quality, complex controls, and heat recovery; available in-person and virtually.
• Certified Compressed Air System Specialist (CCASS) Professional certification program that validates an individual's ability to design, service, sell, and install compressed air systems and equipment, demonstrating expertise to customers, utilities, and employers.
• Compressed Air & Gas Handbook Authoritative industry reference covering general compressed air information and specific guidance on proper installation, use, and maintenance of compressors and pneumatic equipment, available as downloadable PDF chapters.
• CAGI Data Sheets (Standardized Performance Reporting) Standardized performance reporting formats for rotary compressors, refrigerated dryers, and blowers, enabling users to compare equipment efficiency and performance using verified metrics including Isentropic Efficiency; developed with Pneurop and incorporated as ISO 1217 appendices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-25% cost savings achievable through CAC Fundamentals training
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Compressed Air Challenge (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAC is CAGI's Education Foundation, providing nationally recognized, product-neutral training designed to improve compressed air system efficiency, reliability, and performance. CAC offers Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems (Level 1) and Advanced Management of Compressed Air Systems (Level 2) courses. The partnership advances industry expertise through trusted training on compressed air system efficiency.
• Pneurop (European Committee of Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, and Pneumatic Tools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAGI has worked closely with Pneurop to develop Simplified Test Codes which have been incorporated as appendices to ISO 1217. Both organizations developed standard data sheet formats for reporting compressor performance.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAGI works with ISO and other standards development bodies to develop appropriate standards for compressed air and gas systems equipment. CAGI serves as chair of US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for air compressors and drying and filtration equipment.
• DOE (Department of Energy)minorOthersCAGI members interact with DOE representatives on proposals and projects that affect the industry. As energy efficiency efforts proliferate, CAGI helps members stay updated with initiatives that could impact their businesses.
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories)minorOthersCAGI members discuss proposals and projects affecting the industry with UL representatives. The institute publishes ANSI/CAGI B19.1 Safety Standard for Compressor Systems and ANSI/CAGI B186.1 Safety Code for Portable Air Tools.
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)minorOthersCAGI members interact with EPA representatives on proposals and projects affecting the industry, particularly related to environmental regulations and compliance.
• CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency)minorOthersCAGI interacts with CEE to provide greater understanding and cooperative activities related to energy efficiency initiatives that benefit the compressed air industry.
• Alliance to Save EnergyminorOthersCAGI cooperates with the Alliance to Save Energy on initiatives promoting energy efficiency in compressed air systems.
• Various Industry Trade PublicationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCAGI partners with industry publications including Compressed Air Best Practices, New Equipment Digest, Plant Services, Industry Week, Food Processing, Food Manufacturing, Plant Engineering, Food Engineering, and Blower & Vacuum Best Practices to publish educational articles.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers): A larger, more established society that develops standards and provides certification for HVAC&R systems that overlap with compressed air treatment (dryers, filtration). Overlaps with CAGI on standards development and training but operates at a much broader scope.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization): The international standards body that incorporates CAGI's Simplified Test Codes into ISO 1217. Comparable in its standards-setting role but operates at a much larger, cross-industry scale.
• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers): A broad-incumbent standards development and professional certification body whose mechanical codes and pressure-related standards intersect with compressor safety standards such as CAGI's B19.1.

Others

• CSA Group: A standards development and testing/certification organization that, like CAGI's verification program, provides third-party performance and safety testing for industrial equipment across multiple sectors.
• Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE): An energy efficiency initiatives organization that CAGI partners with on compressed air efficiency programs. Comparable as a complementary body in the energy efficiency ecosystem but with a different mandate.
• UL Solutions (Underwriters Laboratories): A third-party safety certification and testing organization that interacts with CAGI on safety standards (ANSI/CAGI B19.1, B186.1). Comparable as a testing/standards organization but serving a much broader product set.

Direct peers

• PNEUROP (European Committee of Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, and Pneumatic Tools): The European counterpart trade association for the compressor, vacuum pump, and pneumatic tool industry. Pneurop co-developed the Simplified Test Codes with CAGI that are incorporated into ISO 1217, making it the most directly comparable peer organization.
• Hydraulic Institute: A US-based trade association for the pump industry that, like CAGI, develops standards, conducts performance testing/certification programs, and provides technical education for industrial fluid-handling equipment.
• National Fluid Power Association (NFPA): Trade association for the fluid power industry, including pneumatics. Comparable to CAGI in its role developing standards, hosting industry education, and representing manufacturers of compressed air and pneumatic equipment.

Regional players

• Compressed Air and Gas Association (CAGA) - Canada: A regional trade association serving the compressed air and gas industry in Canada, comparable in mission (training, standards, member services) but operating in a different geography than CAGI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCU7VcwX39HS4WpKmhq9vV1A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cagi/?viewAsMember=true

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 →

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