What Ascentek does

Ascentek is a family-owned, privately held manufacturer and distributor of custom-blended lubricants, fluids, chemicals, batteries, and reliability services, headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota. The company traces its heritage to 1932 and operates today under the Ascentek enterprise brand (launched 2024), which consolidates subsidiary brands including Lube-Tech (fluid distribution), Reliable Plus (vehicle wash equipment and service), Nth Gear (DTC automotive ecommerce), Maintenance 360 (reliability services), Motivity (product portfolio including immersion coolants and graphene protectants), Redlist (AI-powered asset management software), and Voltage Vault (battery management). Ascentek designs, develops, tests, and manufactures private-label products for 40+ global OEMs across powersports, marine, automotive, heavy-duty, industrial, and outdoor power equipment sectors, supported by an engine testing facility running over 8,000 hours annually and a formulation library exceeding 7,000 custom products developed historically.

The company's core technology centers on custom chemical formulation, fluid integrity monitoring, and emerging battery and immersion cooling solutions. Ascentek's chemists develop 100+ new custom formulas annually, and its Motivity-branded immersion coolants target data center cooling with claimed PUE of 1.3. The Voltage Vault facility (opened 2025) manages battery charging, quality-check, and distribution at scale, and Ascentek holds a DOD-funded research partnership with the University of St. Thomas on sodium-ion battery technology. Maintenance 360 has filed a patent-pending fluid integrity sensor. Distribution operates through seven ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturing facilities across the US (Golden Valley, Shreveport, St. Paul, Milwaukee, Plover, Des Moines, Roseville), official ExxonMobil distribution in MN/WI/IA, Sourcewell government purchasing, Mighty Auto Parts franchises, and direct ecommerce channels.

Ascentek generates revenue through nine streams: private-label OEM manufacturing, regional bulk fluid distribution, vehicle wash equipment and service, hard parts assembly and DTC ecommerce, reliability and maintenance services, software subscriptions (Redlist), battery management services (Voltage Vault), environmental services, and drop-shipping/fulfillment. Pricing is custom quote-based for enterprise OEM contracts (multi-year), with Net 20 invoice terms, while Nth Gear sells at unit retail pricing to consumers. The go-to-market combines direct field sales for enterprise OEMs, channel partners and distributors, DTC ecommerce, and government procurement. Ascentek is currently executing a $50M+ 270,000 sq ft Manufacturing Assistance Facility expansion in Shreveport, LA (groundbreaking January 2026, Q1 2027 completion) to support global growth, and continues a programmatic acquisition strategy including the 2025 Como Oil Hugo division acquisition and the 2024 3/S Car Wash acquisition.

Name

Ascentek

Legal name

Ascentek

Website

https://ascentek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Private-Label Fluid Manufacturing: Ascentek designs, develops, manufactures, and delivers customized private-label lubricants, fluids, chemicals, coolants, and batteries for global OEM partners. Revenue is generated through product sales under customer brands, with pricing based on volume, viscosity grade, and specification requirements.
2. Regional Bulk Fluid Distribution: Distribution of bulk lubricants, fluids, chemicals, and related products across the central United States. Revenue is generated through product sales to automotive, fleet, industrial, and OEM customers via direct delivery.
3. Vehicle Wash Equipment and Service: Reliable Plus, an Ascentek brand, provides vehicle wash equipment, chemicals, installation, design, and maintenance services. Revenue is generated from equipment sales, recurring chemical/soap supply, and service contracts.
4. Hard Parts Assembly and Distribution: Distribution of automotive and powersports parts (starters, alternators, lubricants, batteries) through Nth Gear ecommerce platform and Mighty Auto Parts network.
5. Maintenance 360 Reliability Services: Onsite plant maintenance, chemical management programs, fluid reconditioning, tank cleaning, and industrial cleaning services. Revenue is generated through service contracts and professional services engagements.
6. Drop-Shipping and Ecommerce: Nth Gear provides a turn-key ecommerce solution for OEMs and aftermarket brands, handling fulfillment of over 5,000 parts with two-day shipping. Revenue is generated through product sales and potentially transaction fees.
7. Redlist Software Subscriptions: AI-powered lubrication and asset management software sold as a subscription, enabling facilities to digitize maintenance processes and manage lubricant points on mobile devices.
8. Battery Management and Distribution (Voltage Vault): Battery charging, quality-check, and distribution services for OEMs, solving supply chain challenges around depleted batteries. Revenue generated through per-unit battery processing and distribution fees.
9. Environmental Services: Recycling services (fluids, filters, greases), oily water treatment, and environmental compliance solutions. Revenue generated through service fees and per-unit processing charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ascentek designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes custom-blended lubricants, fluids, chemicals, batteries, and parts for global OEMs and industrial customers across automotive, powersports, marine, heavy-duty, and industrial sectors through its Lube-Tech, Motivity, Maintenance 360, Reliable Plus, Nth Gear, Voltage Vault, and Redlist brands. The company also operates vehicle wash equipment and service, DTC automotive ecommerce, AI-powered asset management software, and environmental and reliability services.

Product overview

Ascentek is a multi-brand solutions company organized around three brand tiers — Solutions Brands (go-to-market channels), Product Brands (specific offerings), and Partner Brands (distribution/partnerships). The core portfolio centers on Lube-Tech (custom lubricants and fluid distribution), Reliable Plus (vehicle wash equipment and service), Nth Gear (DTC automotive ecommerce), Maintenance 360 (reliability/maintenance services), Motivity (fluids/chemicals/coolants), and Redlist (AI-powered industrial software). Supporting services include private label OEM development, environmental solutions, battery management (Voltage Vault), and immersion cooling technology. The company serves Global OEMs, manufacturing, and technology leaders across automotive, powersports, marine, heavy-duty/fleet, industrial, outdoor power equipment, vehicle wash, and specialty markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Redlist: Industrial software solutions for asset management, lubrication management, health safety & environmental, and field service management
• Motivity Salt Mitigation

Products and services

• Lube-Tech Lubricants and Fluids Distribution

Quantifiable outcome

• Power usage effectiveness (PUE) reduced to 1.3 using immersion cooling
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• LiquidCool SolutionscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Ascentek and LiquidCool Solutions partnered on immersion cooling technology for data centers. LiquidCool provides server equipment while Ascentek supplies Motivity immersion coolants. Maintenance 360 handles backend fluid management, recycling, and sensor monitoring. Together they offer full-service data center cooling solutions.
• RedlistcoreTechnology or IntegrationAscentek and Redlist provide dynamic AI-powered lubrication and asset management to prevent downtime and premature failure in manufacturing environments. Redlist's platform digitizes maintenance processes, enabling predictive maintenance through real-time sensor data analysis.
• Department of Defense (DOD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAscentek was awarded a grant from the DOD for next-generation sodium-ion battery research in partnership with the University of St. Thomas. This collaboration focuses on developing batteries with 2-3X output vs. lead-acid, 3-6X longer charge retention, domestic supply chain advantages, and wide temperature performance for powersports to defense applications.
• University of St. ThomasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Ascentek and the DOD on next-generation sodium-ion battery technology research, bringing academic expertise to develop domestic, cost-efficient battery solutions with superior performance characteristics.
• PolariscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolaris PG&A uses Ascentek's Voltage Vault facility for battery charging, quality-check, and distribution. Ascentek ensures optimal battery charge rates and freight consolidation prior to distribution, solving supply chain challenges for Polaris powersports products.
• ExxonMobil (Mobil)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLube-Tech (Ascentek brand) is the official ExxonMobil distributor for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This partnership provides access to Mobil 1, Mobil Delvac, and Mobil SHC product lines for automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial customers.
• SourcewellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAscentek's partnership with Sourcewell allows public sector entities (government, education, nonprofits) to purchase Ascentek products without competitive bidding. This satisfies public bid requirements and expands access to government and municipal customers.
• Mighty Auto PartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAscentek acquired Mighty Auto Parts franchises in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, expanding into the automotive repair market with over 15,000 individual parts, inventory management, nationwide repair warranty, and technician training.
• 3/S Car Wash Service/EquipmentcoreOthersReliable Plus (Ascentek brand) acquired 3/S Car Wash Service/Equipment (Mokena, IL) to expand geographic coverage to Northern Illinois and greater Chicago market, adding expertise and coverage to existing Wisconsin and Iowa geographies.
• Como Lube & Supplies Inc. (Hugo Division)coreOthersAscentek acquired the Hugo-based operations of Como Lube & Supplies Inc. to expand environmental solutions within the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul market. All Hugo-based teammates and physical assets joined Ascentek.
• Bob and Kim Stevens (3/S Car Wash)minorOthersFounders of 3/S Car Wash Service/Equipment transitioned their 20+ year business to Reliable Plus (Ascentek), ensuring continuity of customer relationships and teammate welfare.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Royal Purple (Calumet Specialty Products): Synthetic lubricant manufacturer focused on high-performance automotive, industrial, and marine applications. Comparable to Ascentek's premium fluids business across automotive, powersports, marine, and industrial verticals.
• Mighty Distributing System: Franchise-based automotive parts distributor with over 15,000 parts and a heavy focus on preventive maintenance products for service centers. Comparable to Ascentek's Mighty Auto Parts franchise acquisitions across MN/WI/IA and the Nth Gear ecommerce offering.
• Warren Oil Company: Privately held manufacturer and packager of private-label and branded lubricants, motor oils, and automotive fluids serving retail, OEM, and industrial customers. Directly comparable to Ascentek's Lube-Tech and Motivity businesses in custom lubricant formulation and private-label OEM supply.
• East Penn Manufacturing: Privately held battery manufacturer and distributor serving automotive, powersports, industrial, and OEM markets. Comparable to Ascentek's Voltage Vault battery management, OEM battery partnerships (Polaris), and emerging sodium-ion research initiative.
• Lubrication Engineers (LE): Manufacturer of premium industrial lubricants with a strong private-label and direct-sales model serving industrial and OEM customers. Directly comparable to Ascentek's industrial lubricants, reliability services (Maintenance 360), and custom formulation capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Castrol (BP): Global lubricants brand offering automotive, marine, industrial, and OEM fluid solutions. Broad incumbent competing in the same private-label and branded lubricant categories Ascentek serves through its OEM and automotive channels.
• Driven Brands: Public automotive services franchisor with car wash (Take 5 Car Wash), oil change (Take 5 Oil Change), and maintenance brands. Comparable to Ascentek's vehicle wash business (Reliable Plus) and broader automotive aftermarket footprint.
• Shell Lubricants: Global lubricants major offering branded products (Shell Rotella, Pennzoil, Quaker State) plus industrial and OEM private-label solutions. A broad incumbent competitor in the same private-label and industrial fluids markets Ascentek addresses through Motivity and Lube-Tech.
• ExxonMobil (Mobil): Global energy major whose Mobil brand is distributed in MN/WI/IA by Ascentek's Lube-Tech. A major incumbent supplier and partner — overlapping in lubricants, motor oils, and industrial fluids sold across Ascentek's footprint.

Emerging players

• Stryten Energy: US-based energy storage solutions provider focused on industrial, automotive, and motive batteries with emerging lithium and advanced chemistry investments. Comparable to Ascentek's Voltage Vault operations and sodium-ion battery research in serving OEM and industrial battery markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ascentek
• Instagraminstagram.com/ascentek
• Xx.com/ascentek

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries9 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 Ascentek