Wallingford's

What Wallingford's does

Wallingford's Inc. is a US-based wholesale distributor of tire chains, logging supplies, and industrial supplies, self-described as the largest of its kind in North America. Founded in 1975 in Oakland, Maine (originating as R.L. Wallingford and Son in 1972), the company sells exclusively through B2B channels: a network of more than 3,000 dealers, distributors, and OEMs across North America and Europe, supported by an inside sales team in the US and Canada and field reps covering specific regions. Its multi-brand catalog combines proprietary labels (Aquiline tire chains, BABAC forestry chains, Wallingford's logging supplies, ICC industrial chain and wire rope, Orbit saw chain, Golden Bell chokers, Forestrac tracks) with exclusive North American distribution rights for GB bars (Australia), pewag (Austria, parent company since December 2021), HSP Gripen grapples (Sweden, added 2024), and iGrip ice studs (Canada).

The company's core competencies are metallurgy, product design, and distribution rather than software or data. Notable proprietary technologies include Aquiline case-hardened alloy steel chains with robotically fused studs, the U-Form through-hardened Boron alloy stud (introduced 1986), square link flail chain design (2013) offering up to 45% longer life, Orbit saw chain with micro-radius semi-chisel cutters and multi-layered chrome plating, and pewag bluetrack wheel track systems. Captive manufacturing is operated through subsidiary BABAC Inc. (Winslow, Maine — founded 1986, acquired 2021 alongside the parent) for forestry tire chains and through the Sweden-based HSP Gripen facility for grapples; assembly and distribution are consolidated in New Hampton, New Hampshire.

The business model is hardware wholesale with quote-based pricing (not publicly disclosed). Revenue is generated by selling traction systems, cutting systems, logging supplies, and now grapples through the dealer network across logging/forestry (primary), heavy equipment/construction, industrial/transportation, and agricultural segments. Since December 2021, Wallingford's and BABAC have operated as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Austria's pewag group (founded 1479), consolidated under its Traction and Forestry segment, while preserving the Wallingford's brand and family-led management (Chip Wallingford as President). Headcount is reported as 11-50 employees with operations in Maine, New Hampshire, Alberta, Quebec, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Name

Wallingford's

Legal name

Wallingford's Inc.

Website

https://wallingfords.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wallingford's Inc. is the largest North American wholesale distributor of tire chains, logging supplies, and industrial supplies, selling exclusively through a 3,000+ B2B dealer, distributor, and OEM network in the US, Canada, and Europe. Founded in 1975 in Maine and now a subsidiary of Austria's pewag group, it serves logging, construction, industrial, and agricultural customers with proprietary and distributed brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forestry and Industrial Supplies Distribution

NAICS

Brick, Stone, and Related Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers (42332)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Hardware & MRO Supply Clubs (Trades/Contractors) (CRAEAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

Keywords

• Tire chain distribution
• Logging supplies wholesale
• Forestry traction equipment
• Industrial chain supplies
• Harvester bars chains

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution of Traction Products: Wholesale distribution of tire chains, logging supplies, and industrial supplies to dealers and distributors across North America and Europe. Products include proprietary brands (Aquiline, Wallingford's, ICC, Orbit) and distributed brands (pewag, GB, HSP Gripen, iGrip, Ballantine).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wallingford's Inc. is a wholesale distributor of tire chains, logging supplies, and industrial supplies—the largest of its kind in North America. The company distributes proprietary brands (Aquiline, ICC, Orbit, Wallingford's, BABAC) and internationally-sourced brands (GB, pewag, HSP Gripen, Ballantine, iGrip) through a 3,000+ dealer, distributor, and OEM network across North America and Europe. Products span traction systems, cutting systems, logging supplies, grapples, and flail debarking chains serving forestry, construction, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

Product overview

Wallingford's Inc. is a wholesale distributor of tire chains, logging supplies, and industrial supplies—the largest of its kind in North America. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio strategy, distributing both proprietary brands (Aquiline tire chains, ICC industrial products, Orbit saw chains, Wallingford's logging supplies) and internationally-sourced brands (GB bars, Ballantine teeth, pewag tracks, iGrip studs, HSP Gripen grapples). Products are organized into four main categories: Traction Systems (tracks, ice studs, skidder chains, tire chains), Cutting Systems (chain sharpening, feller buncher teeth, bars, saw chains), Logging Supplies (choker systems, wire rope, winch components), and Grapples/Flail Debarking. The company also provides product finder tools (GB Bar Finder, Tire Chain Finder) to help customers select appropriate products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aquiline: Tire chains for truck, tractor, grader, and loader applications featuring case hardened alloy steel and studded cross chains
• ICC (International Chain and Cable)
• BABAC
• Golden Bell
• Orbit
• Black
• Forestrac
• U-Form

Products and services

• Aquiline® Tire Chains Tire chains for truck, tractor, grader, and loader applications featuring case hardened alloy steel cross chains with robotically fused studs. Includes Talon (studded), MPC (multi-purpose), Predator (square link), and Claw (twist link) lines, manufactured by Wallingford's.
• Ballantine® Wear Parts Steel and carbide hot saw teeth and wear parts for feller buncher applications, fitting John Deere, CAT, Quadco, and Tigercat felling heads. Distributed in North America under exclusive agreement with Ballantine.
• GB® Guide Bars Premium harvester bars (.404"), slasher bars (3/4"), and chainsaw bars constructed from military grade titanium and alloy steel blend for durability in harshest conditions. Exclusive North American distribution through Wallingford's.
• HSP Gripen Grapples Forestry, construction, and terminal grapples manufactured in Hudiksvall, Sweden with twin cylinder design, low-profile lightweight construction, and high-strength steel. Distributed by Wallingford's across North America.
• ICC® (International Chain & Cable) Industrial Products Tire chains, industrial chain (Grade 30, 43, 70), wire rope, load binders, and cargo control products for highway, heavy equipment, agricultural, and consumer applications. A wholly owned marketing division of Wallingford's.
• iGrip® Screw-In Ice Studs Screw-in ice studs for automobiles, agricultural vehicles, heavy/light machinery, RVs, snowmobiles, forest vehicles, military vehicles, mining vehicles, and safety boots. Features tungsten carbide points and zinc galvanization.
• Orbit® Saw Chain Saw chain for professional loggers including 3/8" chainsaw, .404" harvester, and 3/4" slasher chain. Features micro radius semi-chisel cutters, multi-layered chrome plating, and high-quality alloy steel for cutting efficiency and durability.
• pewag Forestry Tracks and Chains Forestry tracks and chains including bluetrack duo and mono skidder tracks, stud chains (single/double/triple diamond, t22), and ring chains. Manufactured by pewag with over 500 years of chain expertise and distributed across North America by Wallingford's.
• Wallingford's® Logging Supplies Logging supplies including Golden Bell choker systems, WA1/WA2 chain chokers, wire rope, winch line components, flail debarking chain, and industrial accessories. Manufactured at the New Hampton, NH facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Square link flail chain provides up to 45% longer life compared to competitors, reducing flail RPMs and fuel consumption
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• HSP GripencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Wallingford's announced North American distribution partnership with HSP Gripen of Sweden in January 2024. HSP Gripen is one of the largest global manufacturers of forestry, construction, and terminal grapples. HSP Gripen has a 5-year plan to double sales volume by 2028, including expansion outside Nordic markets. Wallingford's will distribute the full line of Gripen grapples to their network of 3,000+ dealers across North America.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fastenal: Fastenal is a U.S. industrial supply distributor specializing in fasteners, tools, and MRO products through branch and on-site locations. They share a comparable B2B distribution model with Wallingford's and overlap on fasteners and chain products, though with far broader category scope.
• Grainger: Grainger is the largest broad-line industrial supply distributor in North America with hundreds of thousands of MRO SKUs. They overlap with Wallingford's in tire chains, fasteners, and industrial supply categories but operate at vastly broader scale and across many more customer segments.
• MSC Industrial Direct: MSC Industrial Direct is a large B2B distributor of metalworking and industrial MRO supplies serving manufacturers. They overlap with Wallingford's in chains, hardware, and industrial supplies but serve a much broader set of customers and product categories.
• STIHL: STIHL is a global manufacturer of chainsaws and outdoor power equipment including professional forestry products. They are comparable to Wallingford's through overlap in cutting systems and similar end customers, though STIHL is a manufacturer selling through distribution rather than a wholesale distributor.
• Husqvarna Forest Division: Husqvarna's Forest Division manufactures professional chainsaws, clearing saws, and forestry cutting equipment globally. They serve the same professional logging and forestry customer base as Wallingford's, with overlap particularly in cutting systems products, though via a manufacturer model rather than wholesale distribution.

Direct peers

• Columbus McKinnon: Columbus McKinnon is a global manufacturer of material handling products including chain hoists, cranes, and lifting/rigging hardware. They offer directly comparable chain and rigging products to Wallingford's ICC and Aquiline lines for industrial, construction, and forestry customers.
• Kinedyne LLC: Kinedyne is a manufacturer of cargo control and load securement products including chains, binders, and tie-downs for trucking and industrial use. They directly overlap with Wallingford's ICC industrial chain, cargo control, and binding products in both product mix and end markets.
• The Crosby Group: The Crosby Group is a leading manufacturer of chain, rigging, and load securement products serving industrial, marine, and construction end markets. They directly compete with Wallingford's ICC and Aquiline chains across similar product categories and overlapping end-users, including logging contractors and industrial distributors.
• Mazzella Companies: Mazzella Companies is a U.S.-based distributor and manufacturer of overhead lifting, rigging, and material handling products. They share Wallingford's B2B wholesale distribution model for chains, hoists, and securement products serving industrial contractors and manufacturers.
• Oregon Tool (Blount International): Oregon Tool is a global manufacturer of chainsaw chains, bars, and cutting systems for professional forestry users. They overlap directly with Wallingford's Orbit saw chain and GB harvester bar product lines, competing for the same professional logger customer base through dealer and distributor networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wallingfords

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Wallingford's