What Doolittle Distributing does

Doolittle Distributing, Inc. is a private regional distributor of premium home appliances, headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, and operating continuously since 1990. The company serves a network of independent appliance dealers throughout the Midwest United States, distributing a curated portfolio of seven manufacturer brands across three product categories: kitchen (Hestan indoor, Zephyr ventilation, Scotsman ice machines, Zephyr Presrv refrigeration, Brisas by Zephyr), laundry (Speed Queen residential and light commercial washers and dryers), and outdoor living (Blaze grills, Hestan outdoor, Zephyr outdoor ventilation and refrigeration). Its legal entity is incorporated in Kansas and it maintains three physical locations: the Main Office and Showroom at 14125 W 95th Street in Lenexa, a Lenexa warehouse at the Meritex underground facility, and a St. Charles, Missouri warehouse at Fountain Lakes Business Park (relocated effective April 3, 2024 from the prior Bridgeton, MO facility).

The company operates a B2B distribution model in which revenue is derived from the markup on appliances sold to independent dealers who resell to end consumers. Its go-to-market combines indirect channel sales (dealer network), direct showroom engagement with cooking demonstrations at the Lenexa location, telephone-based account support (800-829-7820 / 913-888-7820), and a proprietary B2B customer portal (orders.ddius.com) for account-based ordering. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through direct account-based quotes. Marketing is limited to its website (ddius.com), which presents detailed product information with manufacturer links and serves as the primary top-of-funnel asset. The company does not develop proprietary technology and operates with a small team (1-10 employees) focused on logistics, dealer support, and showroom operations rather than product engineering.

The business carries no external funding, no parent company, and no venture or private equity backing per disclosed source data. End consumer demand is concentrated in the premium appliance segment, with channels to market restricted to physical dealer showrooms supported by distributor-led demonstrations and digital product information. Operating geography is explicitly limited to the Midwest USA, with no international footprint claimed.

Name

Doolittle Distributing

Legal name

Doolittle Distributing, Inc.

Website

https://ddius.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Doolittle Distributing is a regional Midwest distributor of premium home appliances, serving independent dealers since 1990 with kitchen, laundry, outdoor, and ice brands including Hestan, Blaze, Zephyr, Speed Queen, and Scotsman.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lenexa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Appliance Distribution: Doolittle Distributing generates revenue through distribution of high-end appliances (kitchen, laundry, outdoor) to independent dealers in the Midwest. The company acts as a regional distributor for multiple manufacturer brands including Blaze, Hestan, Scotsman, Speed Queen, Zephyr, and Zephyr Presrv. Revenue is derived from the markup on appliances sold through their dealer network.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Doolittle Distributing is a regional wholesale distributor of high-end kitchen, laundry, and outdoor appliances serving independent dealers across the central Midwest United States (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma). The company carries a curated portfolio of premium appliance brands — including Blaze, Hestan, Scotsman, Speed Queen, Zephyr, and Zephyr Presrv — and supports its dealers via a showroom in Lenexa, KS and warehouses in Lenexa, KS and St. Charles, MO.

Product overview

Doolittle Distributing is a high-end appliance distributor serving the Midwest since 1990, operating as a single unified distribution platform rather than a software product. The company distributes products across three main categories: Kitchen (encompassing indoor cooking, ventilation, and refrigeration from brands like Hestan, Zephyr, Zephyr Presrv, Scotsman, and Brisas by Zephyr), Laundry (Speed Queen residential and light commercial washers and dryers), and Outdoor Living (Blaze grills and Hestan outdoor products). The portfolio includes seven distinct brands with specialized sub-brands for indoor and outdoor applications, functioning as a brand aggregator and dealer network rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blaze (outdoor appliances) Premium outdoor cooking and outdoor kitchen appliances distributed by Doolittle to independent dealers across the central Midwest for resale to end consumers.
• Hestan (indoor and outdoor) Premium indoor and outdoor kitchen appliances, ranges, and cooking equipment distributed to independent specialty dealers for resale.
• Scotsman Ice machines and related commercial-grade ice equipment distributed to independent dealers for residential and light-commercial applications.
• Speed Queen (home laundry and light commercial) Home laundry washers and dryers plus light-commercial laundry equipment distributed to independent specialty appliance dealers across the Midwest territory.
• Zephyr (kitchen ventilation) Premium kitchen ventilation range hoods and related air-management products distributed to independent dealers for residential kitchen installations.
• Brisas by Zephyr Sub-line of Zephyr kitchen ventilation products carried by Doolittle Distributing and sold to independent dealers.
• Zephyr Presrv Premium preservation appliances (such as wine and beverage coolers) distributed to independent dealers under the Zephyr Presrv line.
• Dealer Showroom (Lenexa, KS) Physical showroom in Lenexa, KS where independent dealers can view and demonstrate Doolittle's premium appliance brands to their customers and prospects.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BlazecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlaze is a manufacturer partner of outdoor grills, refrigeration, and accessories. Doolittle Distributing distributes Blaze products (Built-in & Freestanding Outdoor Grills, Refrigeration, and Accessories) through their independent dealer network in the Midwest.
• HestancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHestan manufactures Indoor & Outdoor Kitchen Appliances, Ventilation, Storage, and Cookware. Doolittle distributes Hestan products through their dealer network, covering both indoor and outdoor product categories.
• ScotsmancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScotsman provides Commercial Grade Ice Machines and Gourmet Ice Cubers. Doolittle distributes Scotsman products including Brilliance Gourmet Cubes (SCC30, SCC50), Legacy Gourmet Cubes (DCE33), and Nugget Ice Machines (SCN60).
• Speed QueencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpeed Queen manufactures Quality Home Laundry, Multi-Family, and Light Commercial Washers & Dryers. Doolittle distributes Speed Queen products across home laundry and light commercial categories through their dealer network.
• ZephyrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZephyr provides Kitchen Ventilation, Range Hoods, and Accessories for Kitchens & Outdoor Living Spaces. Doolittle distributes Zephyr products including Core Collection, Pro Collection, Designer Collection range hoods, HyperCore Induction Cooktops, and Microwave Drawers.
• Zephyr PresrvcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZephyr Presrv specializes in Kitchen Refrigeration and Wine & Beverage Coolers for Indoor & Outdoor Living Spaces. Doolittle distributes these products through their dealer network.
• Brisas by ZephyrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrisas by Zephyr is a sub-brand offering Range Hoods, Wine & Beverage Coolers, and Accessories. Doolittle distributes Brisas products through their network of independent dealers in the Midwest.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• PartsSource: Distributor of OEM appliance parts serving dealers and service technicians. Comparable to Doolittle's appliance-focused B2B distribution model targeting independent service and dealer customers.
• Marcone: A leading U.S. distributor of appliance parts and major home-appliance equipment serving independent service dealers and dealers. Comparable to Doolittle in operating a B2B regional distribution model for appliance-related categories.
• Heritage Parts Group: Wholesale distributor of appliance and HVAC parts serving service companies and dealers across North America. Comparable to Doolittle in operating a regional B2B appliance distribution business.
• Encompass Supply Chain Solutions: Distributor of appliance parts and accessories to service technicians and dealers. Comparable as a multi-region appliance distribution specialist serving independent B2B customers.

Regional players

• Yale Appliance: Regional premium appliance retailer with showrooms in the Northeast. Comparable to Doolittle in curating premium appliance brands with a showroom-led experience, but operating in a different geography.
• Designer Appliances: Multi-location premium appliance retailer/showroom operator. Comparable in carrying premium brands and operating showrooms, although primarily selling direct to consumers in markets outside Doolittle's Midwest dealer channel.

Broad incumbents

• Nationwide Marketing Group: Buying and marketing group serving independent appliance, furniture, and bedding retailers across the U.S. Comparable as an aggregator serving the same independent-dealer channel that Doolittle distributes into.
• AJ Madison: Large online and regional retailer of premium home appliances. Comparable in the premium/appliance category, but competing via direct-to-consumer retail rather than regional dealer distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/doolittle-distributing-inc.

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 Doolittle Distributing