Illinois Auto Electric

Name

Illinois Auto Electric

Legal name

Illinois Auto Electric Co.

Website

https://illinoisautoelectric.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Illinois Auto Electric is a 1915-founded, family-owned holding company operating seven subsidiaries spanning North American locomotive component distribution, Thermo King refrigeration services, custom vehicle fabrication, entertainment content production, and creative marketing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Locomotive and Industrial Component Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger Vehicle Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Automotive Electric Motors & Actuators Manufacturing (EPS/Brake-by-wire/Seat/Window) (IMACAJAL)

Keywords

• Locomotive component remanufacturing
• Transportation refrigeration systems
• Heavy equipment component distribution
• Custom vehicle fabrication
• Automotive parts manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Naperville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Rail Industry Components: Sales of new and remanufactured locomotive components including governors, air compressors, diesel injection systems, traction motor bearings, engine parts, seals, gaskets, starter motors, fuel and oil pumps, and water pumps to the rail industry.
2. Industrial Equipment Distribution: Distribution of windshield wiper systems, heavy duty wiper motors, heater motors, A/C units, fans, and related accessories to OEM market including construction equipment, firetrucks, marine, agricultural, and automotive industries.
3. Thermo King Sales and Service: Factory-authorized sales, service, parts, repair, and warranty center for Thermo King refrigeration and heating products for truck, trailer, intermodal containers, and APUs, along with Red Dot Air Conditioning, Espar Heaters, and related products.
4. Temperature Control Services: Additional services including temperature monitoring devices and services, wiper blades, fifth wheel installation and repair, and telematic solutions.
5. Custom Vehicle Fabrication: Design and build of exotic custom machines for elite celebrity clientele with documentation of purpose and stories around projects.
6. Creative Agency Services: Core Twelve provides brand development, narrative-driven marketing campaigns, creative content development, and holistic marketing approach including branding, marketing, strategy, digital, social, and design services.
7. Entertainment Content Production: Fret 12 produces rock n roll documentary content including The Sound and The Story documentary series with behind-the-scenes coverage of rock guitarists and musicians.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Illinois Auto Electric (IAE) is a diversified family-owned holding company founded in 1915 that manufactures, remanufactures, and distributes locomotive and industrial components—including Woodward governors, air compressors, diesel injection systems, traction motor bearings, windshield wiper systems, and HVAC accessories—through its operating subsidiaries to the rail industry, OEM manufacturers, and transportation fleets. Through portfolio companies, it also delivers Thermo King refrigeration sales and service, custom exotic vehicle fabrication, creative agency services, and rock music documentary content.

Product overview

Illinois Auto Electric (IAE) is a holding company with a portfolio of complementary businesses rooted in automotive and transportation industries. The core business (IAE) and its IAE Power Products subsidiary serve the rail industry with locomotive components and wiper systems. Illinois Auto Central/Great Lakes Thermo King provides refrigeration and HVAC solutions. American Wrench and Rivet Motors focus on custom high-end vehicle manufacturing for celebrity clients. The portfolio also includes Fret 12 (Rock N' Roll media content) and Core Twelve (creative/marketing agency), which support the company's broader entertainment and branding initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IAE Power Products

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• William ShatnerflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Wrench and Rivet Motors partnered with William Shatner to design and develop a unique custom vehicle. The partnership was announced with Kevin Sirotek and William Shatner together. The collaboration aims to create something that not only meets expectations but 'blows the minds of everyone who sees, pilots, or experiences Rivet.'

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wabtec Corporation: Wabtec is a leading global manufacturer of equipment and services for the freight and transit rail industries, including locomotive components, air compressors, brake systems, and remanufacturing services. It directly competes with IAE Power Products in locomotive component remanufacturing and authorized distribution for rail operators.
• Progress Rail (Caterpillar): Progress Rail, a Caterpillar subsidiary, manufactures and remanufactures rail products and services including locomotives, traction motor components, and engine parts. It is one of the closest comparable players to IAE Power Products on locomotive component remanufacturing and rail aftermarket distribution.
• Standard Motor Products: Standard Motor Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive replacement parts, particularly in engine management, ignition, electrical, and wiper categories. Its product portfolio in automotive electrical components directly overlaps with IAE's windshield wiper system, wiper motor, and HVAC accessory distribution to OEM and aftermarket customers.
• Trico Products: Trico Products is one of the world's largest manufacturers of windshield wiper systems, wiper blades, and related components for automotive, heavy-duty, commercial, and industrial vehicles. As IAE distributes windshield wiper systems and wiper motors to OEMs in construction, firetrucks, marine, and heavy-duty markets, Trico is a directly comparable supplier/manufacturer in the same product category.
• Carrier Transicold: Carrier Transicold is the principal direct competitor to Thermo King in transport refrigeration for trucks, trailers, intermodal containers, and APUs. Since IAE's Illinois Auto Central/Great Lakes Thermo King is a Thermo King dealer/service center, Carrier Transicold represents the competing brand and product ecosystem in adjacent dealership channels.
• Motorcar Parts of America: Motorcar Parts of America remanufactures and distributes automotive alternators, starters, brake-related, and electrical parts through automotive retailers and distributors. Its remanufacturing business model and electrical component focus closely parallel IAE's locomotive component reman and automotive electrical parts distribution operations.
• Iconic Motorbikes: Iconic Motorbikes is a custom motorcycle manufacturer known for bespoke fabrication and limited-edition builds sold direct to high-end consumers. It directly parallels American Wrench and Rivet Motors in custom motorcycle and high-end vehicle fabrication targeting a premium clientele.
• Zero Labs Automotive: Zero Labs Automotive designs and builds bespoke electric-converted classic vehicles for premium individual customers. While its powertrain approach (EV conversions) differs from IAE's celebrity clientele focus, its custom-fab business model, brand-led storytelling, and high-net-worth positioning are directly comparable to Rivet Motors' premium custom vehicle work.

Broad incumbents

• Dana Incorporated: Dana is a global manufacturer of drivetrain, sealing, and thermal-management technologies serving automotive, commercial-vehicle, and off-highway markets. Its thermal-management components (HVAC, wiper systems, motors) overlap with portions of IAE's automotive electrical product portfolio, while its scale and Tier-1 OEM relationships make it a broader incumbent than IAE.
• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): Genuine Parts Company is the largest U.S. distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts through NAPA and other banners, with a global industrial parts distribution business. Its wholesale distribution model for automotive/industrial machinery and components directly mirrors IAE's OEM distribution of wiper systems, motors, and HVAC accessories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

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 Illinois Auto Electric