ICAFe Companies

What ICAFe Companies does

ICAFe Companies is a private family of industrial equipment distributors and system integrators, founded in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Harry Goldsmith & Associates and renamed Industrial Chemical and Finishing Equipment, Inc. (ICAFe) in 1976. Operating across 13+ branch locations in the United States and Mexico through wholly-owned subsidiaries Dove Equipment, Air Equipment and Repair, Southwest Air Equipment, SenecaFTI, and Precision For Collision, the company sells, integrates, services, and trains customers on coating, finishing, fluid handling, and surface-treatment equipment. Core product lines span automation and robotics integration (FANUC, First Choice Robotics, Global Finishing Solutions), liquid and powder coating equipment distributed from Graco, Sames, Binks, Wagner, and SATA (including the ProMix V meter-based plural-component proportioner with ±1% ratio accuracy, Sames Cyclomix Evo dosing, and Graco Stellair spray guns), surface treatment systems (blasting, parts washing, zero-liquid-discharge water treatment), curing ovens, spray booths, electroplating systems, and sealants/adhesives equipment. The company's own brand, Professional Contractor Rigs (PCR), is manufactured at the Fort Worth facility for spray foam and high-performance coating contractors.

ICAFe generates revenue through a mix of one-time industrial equipment sales, professional services including custom engineering/system integration (AutoCAD layouts, 3D piping, control programming), equipment repair and preventive maintenance, on-site and off-site training (anchored by the annual Tech Day event), hands-on demonstrations, and recurring parts/accessories and PPE distribution (including via the Air Equipment e-commerce store at shopair-equipment.com). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales plus direct technician/engineer dispatch across the US and Mexico branch network, with named enterprise customers including Pierce Manufacturing (fire apparatus), Caterpillar and John Deere (heavy equipment, with Dove originating as a Caterpillar supplier in 1967 and opening Monterrey in 1995), and major automakers Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen (served through Dove's Mexico operations), alongside a long tail of spray-foam contractors and collision-repair shops. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company maintains distribution partnerships with Graco (Flagship tier), Sames, Wagner, Binks, and SATA, plus automation alliances with FANUC America, First Choice Robotics, Global Finishing Solutions, AJ Dralle, and SimSpray, and a strategic talent-pipeline partnership with Bradley University's IMET department (2024).

Name

ICAFe Companies

Legal name

ICAFe Companies

Website

https://icafecompanies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICAFe Companies is a private family of industrial finishing equipment distributors and system integrators, operating 13+ branches across the US and Mexico to sell, integrate, and service coating, fluid handling, and surface-treatment solutions for manufacturers, contractors, and collision-repair shops.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Coating and Finishing Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), All Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (33599)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Application Equipment & Coating Services (Contract Coating, Surface Prep) (IMAEAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Industrial coating equipment
• Finishing equipment distribution
• Powder coating systems
• Fluid handling equipment
• Spray painting solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

East Peoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Equipment Sales: Sale of industrial coating equipment including spray guns, pumps, plural component mixing systems, ovens, spray booths, blasting equipment, and parts washers. Equipment ranges from entry-level to fully automated systems.
2. Equipment Repair & Maintenance: Service technicians skilled in pump, gun, and accessories repair from brands such as Graco, Binks, and DeVilbiss. Includes preventative maintenance schedules and warranty work.
3. System Integration & Engineering: Custom engineering design, installation, and integration services including AutoCAD layouts, 3D piping diagrams, control programming, and turnkey system delivery from concept through startup.
4. Training Programs: On-site and off-site training programs for employees to improve skills and knowledge in specific product areas. Includes specialized training sessions and Tech Day events.
5. Parts & Accessories: Parts department with extensive catalog offering pump repair kits, gun repair kits, nozzles, filters, PPE, hoses, fittings, and consumables. Ships from multiple locations or dropships from manufacturers.
6. Equipment Demonstrations: Hands-on equipment demonstrations providing practical insight under expert guidance to support informed decision-making for potential buyers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICAFe Companies is a family of companies that sells, distributes, integrates, and repairs industrial coating and finishing equipment for manufacturers, contractors, and collision repair professionals. The company delivers fluid handling solutions including pumps, spray guns, plural component mixing systems, ovens, spray booths, powder coating equipment, surface treatment systems, sealants/adhesives equipment, and electroplating systems, along with engineering, system integration, training, and repair services. It operates as a manufacturer's representative and integrator for brands including Graco, Sames, Binks, Wagner, and SATA across the United States and Mexico.

Product overview

ICAFe Companies is a family of industrial equipment companies offering a comprehensive portfolio of coating, finishing, fluid handling, and surface treatment solutions. The core offerings span automation and robotics, liquid and powder coating equipment, surface treatment systems (blasting, washing, water treatment), electroplating, sealants/adhesives, and related services. Key product lines include Graco equipment (Stellair spray guns, ProMix V plural component mixing systems), Sames powder coating solutions, and various surface treatment systems. The company operates through subsidiaries including Dove Equipment (US/Mexico operations), Air Equipment and Repair (AER), Southwest Air Equipment (home of ICAFe PCR professional contractor rigs), SenecaFTI, and Precision For Collision. Services include system integration, engineering, equipment repair/maintenance, training programs (including annual Tech Day events), and hands-on demonstrations. SimSpray VR provides virtual reality painter training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ICAFe PCR: Professional Contractor Rigs for high performance coating and foam solutions

Products and services

• Liquid Coating Equipment Complete liquid coating product line including pumps, supply systems, plural component proportioners, and manual and automatic spray guns from Graco, Sames, Binks, SATA, and Wagner for industrial finishing operations.
• Powder Coating Equipment Powder coating equipment including manual and automatic guns, supply systems, and quick color change technology from Sames, Wagner, and Binks for efficient and consistent powder coating application.
• Plural Component Paint Mixing Systems Automatic plural component mixing systems that mix two or more ingredients at the correct ratio for consistent quality, waste reduction, and time savings, including ProMix V, ProMix 2KE, ProMix 2KS, ProMix 3KS, and ProMix PD.
• Graco ProMix V Fifth-generation meter-based plural component mixing system offering ±1% ratio accuracy, support for up to 7 colors and 2 catalysts, Wi-Fi remote monitoring, all stainless steel fluid path, and 4,000 psi max pressure.
• Graco Stellair & Stellair ACE Lightweight and durable air spray guns for liquid application; Stellair ACE weighs 209 grams (7.4 ounces) with carbon reinforced construction, up to 50% lighter than other manual pressure feed sprayers.
• Stellair Auto Automatic air spray guns for automated paint lines and robotic spray booths with approximately one-minute quick-change fluid cartridges.
• Spray Booths & Filters Industrial spray booths including blast booths, wash booths, paint and powder booths, and customized air filtration systems integrated with Global Finishing Solutions and AJ Dralle products.
• Curing Ovens Industrial curing ovens including convection ovens, infrared/electric ovens, and catalytic gas ovens for uniform heating and curing of coated parts with improved adhesion and finish quality.
• Surface Treatment Equipment Surface treatment solutions including blasting and deburring equipment, parts washing systems, and chemical and waste water treatment for enhancing durability, preventing corrosion, and ensuring optimal equipment performance.
• Chemical & Waste Water Treatment Water treatment solutions including Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) filtration systems that filter, treat, and recycle wash effluent for environmentally friendly operations in areas with strict discharge regulations.
• Parts Washing Equipment Parts washing equipment including batch washers, immersion washers, pass-through washers, in-line batch washers, and continuous wash systems with ultrasonic capabilities.
• Blasting & Deburring Equipment Abrasive blasting and deburring equipment including batch and automated systems, blast rooms with recovery and dust collection, and specialty solutions using dry ice and sponge blasting.
• Sealants & Adhesives Equipment Manual and automated equipment for single-component and two-component bonding and sealing applications across automotive, electronics, medical, appliances, and general assembly industries.
• Electroplating Systems Industrial electroplating and aqueous systems including filtration systems, pumps, heat exchangers, tanks, air handling, scrubbing systems, plating barrels, spin dryers, and turnkey plating line installation.
• Spray Foam & Polyurea Equipment Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and high-performance coating equipment solutions serving contractors and manufacturers, including custom-built paint systems, spray foam rigs, sandblast packages, and powder coating booths via Southwest Air Equipment.
• Parts, Accessories & PPE Parts, kits, consumables including pump and gun repair kits, nozzles, tips, regulators, air filtration equipment, personal protection equipment, hoses, fittings, and miscellaneous supplies shipped from six US locations or dropshipped from manufacturers.
• SimSpray VR Training System Virtual reality painter training system that replicates the experience of painting in a booth, teaching fundamentals of angle, distance, and speed with visual cues and heat maps for feedback.
• Automation & Robotics Integration Robotic paint systems, advanced controls, custom control systems, and integration services for industrial paint lines, including PLCs, HMIs, RFID, and Smart Eye technology for automating and optimizing finishing processes.
• System Integration & Engineering Design, engineering, installation, and integration of fluid handling systems for industrial finishing processes, including AutoCAD layouts, 3D piping diagrams, control programming, and turnkey system delivery from concept through startup.
• Equipment Repair & Maintenance Professional maintenance and repair services for fluid handling equipment including pumps, guns, and accessories from Graco, Binks, and DeVilbiss brands, including preventative maintenance schedules and in-house repairs.
• Training Program On-site and off-site training programs including Tech Day events for customers' employees to improve technical skills and operational efficiency in specific product areas, supported by experienced staff providing tailored programs.
• Equipment Demonstrations Hands-on equipment demonstrations providing the opportunity to experience and familiarize with the technology and operation of equipment including guns, pumps, packages, and valves under expert guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bradley University lean manufacturing project projected annual savings of more than $16,000 with payback period of less than one year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• SimSpraycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025SimSpray provides virtual reality painter training systems used by ICAFe Companies at FABTECH México and Tech Day events. SimSpray VR training focuses on angle, distance, and speed fundamentals with visual cues and heat maps for feedback.
• Bradley UniversitystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Dove Equipment partnered with Bradley University's Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and Technology (IMET) to streamline staging for Graco ProMix paint mixing systems. Graduate student Max Gomez led a lean manufacturing assessment resulting in projected annual savings of over $16,000 with payback under one year. Gomez later accepted full-time position at Dove.
• Ryhno RacingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024ICAFe Companies partnered with Ryhno Racing's Ryan Nolan #411 as a sponsor for his 2024 motorcycle racing campaign. ICAFe joined local Wisconsin businesses in supporting his efforts to qualify for MotoAmerica race at Road America. Campaign branded 'GrindToTheGrid'.
• FANUC AmericacoreTechnology or IntegrationFANUC America collaborates with ICAFe Companies and its Dove Equipment subsidiary to deliver industrial finishing automation solutions in factories throughout the United States and Mexico. FANUC provides industrial robots like the P50 for high-volume paint lines and the CRX-10iA/L Paint collaborative robot for collaborative applications.
• First Choice RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationFirst Choice Robotics collaborates with ICAFe Companies and its Dove Equipment subsidiary to deliver automation to manufacturers throughout the United States and Mexico. Hope Dollarhide, paint robot sales engineer, presents seminars on collaborative robotic applications during ICAFe Tech Day.
• Global Finishing SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationICAFe Companies collaborates with Global Finishing Solutions to design customized paint booths. GFS provides spray booths and finishing solutions integrated into ICAFe's system offerings. Ryan Looker from GFS presents on REVO infrared curing technology at Tech Day.
• GracoflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorICAFe Companies is an official Graco distributor offering complete product lines including ProMix proportioners, Stellair spray guns, Merlin pumps, and process equipment. Deep integration with Graco products including ProMix V, ProMix 2KS, ProMix PD, and other plural component mixing systems.
• SamescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSames provides powder coating equipment including manual and automatic guns, pumps, and controllers. ICAFe distributes Sames products including Cyclomix Evo dosing units and PPH707 rotary atomizers. Products featured in liquid and powder coating solutions.
• WagnercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWagner provides complete powder coating systems with efficient process technology for feeding, application and powder recovery. Wagner offers fast color change capability and multitude of application possibilities.
• BinkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBinks provides spray guns trusted for precision, durability, and consistent performance across industrial finishing tasks. Products include Trophy and DVX spray guns, and Binks paint kitchens.
• SATAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSATA provides spray guns built for precision and durability from first to final coat. Available in manual and automatic configurations for demanding finishing environments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Graco Inc. ICAFe's flagship OEM supplier and a competing equipment maker in fluid handling, pumps, proportioners, and plural-component spray systems. Materially comparable because customers can buy Graco's ProMix V and similar lines either through ICAFe or direct, making Graco both supplier and competitor in industrial finishing equipment.
• Titan Tool / Titan Flexxair (Spraying Equipment): Manufacturer of airless and HVLP spray guns and finishing equipment widely used in industrial, contractor, and refinish applications. Directly comparable product portfolio to the spray gun, plural component mixing, and contractor rig lines ICAFe distributes and services.
• C.H. Reed Company: Independent industrial finishing systems representative/distributor selling and servicing capital equipment, fluid handling, and turnkey paint systems primarily to Midwest manufacturers. Closest analog to ICAFe's manufacturer-rep/integrator model in regional industrial finishing distribution.
• Empire Abrasive Equipment: Manufacturer of abrasive blasting equipment, blast rooms, and surface preparation systems that ICAFe integrates into finishing lines. Directly comparable given ICAFe's Surface Treatment offering features Empire Abrasive products including sweep-in recovery systems.
• Global Finishing Solutions: Manufacturer of industrial spray booths, ovens, and finishing systems that ICAFe resells and integrates. Direct peer in spray booth manufacturing with overlapping system integrator/install base, particularly in automotive and industrial finishing.
• Nordson Corporation: Major publicly-listed manufacturer of precision dispensing and finishing equipment serving industrial customers with pumps, spray guns, and automated coating systems. Directly comparable to ICAFe across product category, customers, and business model, with the difference being Nordson is also a manufacturer while ICAFe is a representative/distributor/integrator.
• Wagner Industrial Solutions: Specialized manufacturer of powder coating systems, manual and automatic guns, and quick-color-change technology. One of ICAFe's core distributed brands and a like-for-like equipment maker serving the same general/industrial finishing customers.
• Sames (Samès Technologies): French manufacturer of powder coating and liquid application equipment including Cyclomix Evo dosing units and rotary atomizers, which ICAFe distributes. Same product category (industrial coating application equipment) and overlapping OEM integrator customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Diversified industrial conglomerate with multiple overlapping finishing brands in welds, fasteners, and coatings-application equipment via various subsidiaries. Larger incumbent operating broadly in finishing/coatings-adjacent equipment rather than as a focused specialty distributor.
• Carlisle Companies (Binks / DeVilbiss / Ransburg): Owns multiple legacy spray finishing brands including Binks, DeVilbiss, and Ransburg that compete with ICAFe's distributed Graco/Binks/Sames/Wagner lines. Broad incumbent via multiple specialty brands rather than a single integrated distributor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClegCbGmxj6QdrgniH2YaoQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AirEquipmentSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/80402362/admin/feed/posts
• Xx.com/icafeinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 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 ICAFe Companies