FEI

What FEI does

FEI, Inc. is a privately held B2B distribution company founded in 1978 and headquartered in Valley City, North Dakota. The company distributes a comprehensive portfolio of propane and fertilizer equipment, parts, and accessories to business customers across the Midwest United States. Its catalog spans more than 40 propane equipment brands and over 20 fertilizer equipment brands from OEMs including Fisher (Emerson), Marshall Excelsior, Blackmer, Worthington Industries, John Blue, Banjo Corporation, Raven Industries, Parker Hannifin, Honeywell, and Continental NH3 Products. Product categories cover propane installation and plant/transport equipment, propane heating appliances and hearth products, outdoor living, and dry, liquid, and anhydrous ammonia (NH3) fertilizer equipment, plus new and used capital equipment and a monthly surplus closeout channel.

The company operates a B2B e-commerce platform at feiinc.com featuring a Bulk Order Pad (searchable by SKU#, customer part number, and tank size), a dedicated B2B portal with credit application onboarding, and a shopping list/wishlist function for repeat ordering. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with business customers required to apply for accounts and credit approval — a sales motion consistent with relationship-based industrial distribution rather than transactional e-commerce. FEI also offers value-added services including BASE Engineering, a Hose Department (custom hose assembly), a Tarp Center, and Millwright Services, attaching technical and aftermarket capabilities to the parts catalog.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of new equipment and parts, supplemented by service revenue and secondary-market used/surplus transactions. The customer base is segmented horizontally across propane distributors and retailers (primary), agricultural operations and fertilizer applicators (primary), and propane heating equipment dealers (secondary). Geographic scope is limited to domestic Midwest-US markets with no international footprint. The company employs 51-100 people, is led by President and CEO Christy Fliflet, and operates as an independent, founder/management-owned corporation with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

FEI

Legal name

FEI, Inc.

Website

https://feiinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FEI, Inc. is a privately held B2B distributor, founded in 1978 in Valley City, North Dakota, supplying propane installation and transport equipment, heating appliances, and dry, liquid, and anhydrous ammonia fertilizer equipment across 60+ OEM brands to propane distributors, agricultural operations, and fertilizer applicators in the Midwest US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) (424720), Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42344)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution (CRAOAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

LNG Equipment & Technology (Cryogenic, Turbines, Heat Exchangers, Boil-off Systems) (EUALAFAH), Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

Keywords

• Propane equipment distribution
• Fertilizer application equipment
• Agricultural parts distribution
• Anhydrous ammonia equipment
• Propane installation supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Valley City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment and Parts Distribution: FEI distributes propane installation equipment, propane plant and transport equipment, propane heating appliances, fertilizer equipment, and related parts. Revenue is generated through the sale of equipment, parts, and accessories to business customers in the propane and agricultural industries.
2. Services: FEI offers supporting services including BASE Engineering, Hose Department, Tarp Center, and Millwright services which may generate additional service revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

FEI is a B2B distributor of propane equipment and fertilizer application equipment, supplying regulators, valves, fittings, tanks, cylinders, hose, pumps, transports, heating appliances, hearth products, and complete dry/liquid/anhydrous ammonia fertilizer application systems to propane distributors, agricultural operations, and fertilizer applicators. The company operates an account-gated e-commerce platform that lets business buyers search by SKU, place bulk orders, and re-order from saved shopping lists, supported by value-added services such as BASE Engineering, a Hose Department, Tarp Center, and Millwright Services.

Product overview

FEI Inc. is a fertilizer and propane parts and equipment distributor serving the agricultural and energy sectors. The company operates as a B2B e-commerce platform offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into two primary divisions: Propane Equipment (including installation equipment, plant/bobtail/transport equipment, heating appliances, hearth products, and outdoor living products) and Fertilizer Equipment (covering dry, liquid, and anhydrous ammonia applications). The Propane Installation Equipment category serves residential, commercial, and industrial propane gas installations with components like regulators, valves, fittings, tanks, cylinders, and safety equipment. The Fertilizer division supports agricultural operations with equipment for dry spreading, liquid application, and NH3 handling, including new and used equipment sales. FEI also offers value-added services including BASE Engineering, a Hose Department, Tarp Center, and Millwright Services. The company distributes parts from numerous brand-name manufacturers including Marshall Excelsior, Fisher, Honeywell, Blackmer, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Propane Installation Equipment Comprehensive distribution of regulators (1st stage, 2nd stage, dielectric, commercial, compact, changeover, natural gas, integral, 2 PSI), valves, fittings, tanks, cylinders, hose, safety equipment, carburetion equipment, vaporizers, generators, and meters for residential, commercial, and industrial propane gas installations. For propane distributors, retailers, and installers.
• Propane Plant Bobtail and Transport Equipment Equipment for propane plant operations and bobtail/transport vehicles including gauges, valves, fittings, hose, pumps, motors, compressors, dispensers, and meters. For propane plant operators and transport fleet operators.
• Propane Heating Appliance and Accessories Heating solutions including vent free heaters, infrared heaters, wall furnaces, unit heaters, agricultural heaters, floor furnaces, construction/event heaters, engine heaters, console heaters, chimney liners, venting systems, torches, flares, and heating controls. For propane heating equipment dealers and installers.
• Propane Hearth Products Fireplaces and parts for propane heating applications, along with heating controls and connectors. For propane hearth product dealers and installers.
• Propane Grill and Outdoor Living Propane grills, gas matches, outdoor heaters, cylinders, and accessories for outdoor living applications. For propane outdoor living dealers and retailers.
• Fertilizer Dry Equipment Dry fertilizer equipment including spreaders, tenders, dry plant parts, spreader parts, tarp systems, loaders parts, and accessories for agricultural fertilizer application. For fertilizer distributors, ag retailers, and farm operations.
• Fertilizer Liquid Equipment Liquid fertilizer handling equipment including pumps, sprayers, tanks, valves, strainers, inductors, rate controls, GPS and guidance systems, meters, and motors. For liquid fertilizer applicators and ag retailers.
• Fertilizer NH3 (Anhydrous Ammonia) Equipment Anhydrous ammonia equipment including applicator parts, rate controllers, valves, hose, fittings, safety equipment, wagons, pumps, compressors, and bulk plant accessories. For NH3 fertilizer applicators and ag retailers.
• New Agricultural Equipment New agricultural equipment including spreaders, tenders, blending equipment, conveyors, liquid tender trailers, sprayer trailers, cone bottom tender trailers, anhydrous ammonia tanks and wagons, toolbars, applicators, drone trailers, EZ-VEYOR, and Walkabout Mother Bins. For fertilizer distributors and commercial fertilizer applicators.
• Used Agricultural Equipment Pre-owned agricultural equipment including used spreaders, tenders, blending equipment, conveyors, anhydrous ammonia tanks and wagons, toolbars, and loaders. For fertilizer applicators and farm operations seeking cost-effective equipment.
• Surplus Section Monthly surplus and closeout product specials offered at discounted prices for business customers seeking discounted propane or fertilizer equipment and parts.
• BASE Engineering Services Engineering services offered by FEI for custom solutions in propane and fertilizer equipment applications.
• Hose Department Services Custom hose assembly and fabrication services for propane and fertilizer equipment applications.
• Tarp Center Services Tarp system sales and service center for fertilizer tenders and spreaders, featuring AGRI-COVER rolltarps.
• Millwright Services Millwright installation and maintenance services for propane and fertilizer equipment customers.

Segments3 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

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Fisher (Emerson)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFEI distributes Fisher brand regulators, valves, and gas equipment. Fisher is a major brand in the propane and natural gas regulation industry under Emerson, providing first-stage, second-stage, and commercial regulators.
• Marshall ExcelsiormajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarshall Excelsior is one of the largest brands in FEI's catalog with 631+ items. They manufacture LP-gas equipment including meters, valves, and regulators.
• BlackmermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlackmer, part of PSG Dover, manufactures pumps and sliding vane pumps for propane and industrial applications, distributed by FEI.
• John Blue CompanymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJohn Blue Company provides piston pumps, centrifugal pumps, and rate controllers for agricultural fertilizer application, featured brand on FEI's homepage.
• Banjo CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanjo Corporation manufactures liquid handling products including fittings, valves, and pumps for fertilizer and chemical transfer applications.
• Raven IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRaven Industries provides precision agriculture technology including GPS systems, rate controllers, and sensors for fertilizer application equipment.
• Worthington IndustriesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorthington Industries manufactures propane tanks, cylinders, and related equipment distributed through FEI.
• Parker Hannifin / Parker HosecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParker Hannifin and Parker Hose Products provide industrial hose and fluid handling components for propane and fertilizer transfer applications.
• AGRI-COVERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAGRI-COVER manufactures tarp systems including rolltarps for fertilizer tenders and spreaders, with dedicated Tarp Center service at FEI.
• TeeJet TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTeeJet provides spray tips, nozzle bodies, and spray control products for liquid fertilizer and chemical application.
• Micro-TrakminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicro-Trak manufactures rate controllers, flow meters, and sensors for agricultural equipment.
• HoneywellmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHoneywell (including Elster) provides gas meters, regulators, and measurement devices for propane applications.
• OmegaFlex TracPipecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOmegaFlex TracPipe manufactures flexible gas piping systems for propane installation, distributed by FEI.
• CorkenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorken manufactures gas compressors and pumps for LPG/ propane applications.
• Chicago FittingscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChicago Fittings provides brass fittings and adapters for propane and natural gas applications.
• Algas SDIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlgas SDI manufactures LP gas equipment including pumps, meters, and vaporizers.
• Quality Steel TankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuality Steel Tank manufactures propane tanks and vessels for storage and transport applications.
• EnduraplasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnduraplas provides plastic tanks and containers for fertilizer and chemical storage.
• Continental NH3 ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContinental NH3 Products specializes in anhydrous ammonia equipment including tanks, valves, and transfer equipment.
• Smart Hose TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmart Hose Technologies provides smart hose monitoring systems for propane transport applications.
• EZ-VEYORcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEZ-VEYOR manufactures conveyor systems for fertilizer handling, featured as a solution on FEI's website with dedicated marketing.
• Walkabout Mother BinscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWalkabout Mother Bins provides large storage bins for grain and fertilizer handling, marketed as a solution by FEI.
• BASE EngineeringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBASE Engineering is featured as a service offering by FEI, providing engineering solutions for propane and fertilizer equipment applications.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wilbur-Ellis: Specialty ag-input distributor selling crop protection, fertilizer, and application equipment to growers. Comparable B2B distribution and technical-service model for fertilizer application, though without the LP-gas equipment side.
• Helena Agri-Enterprises: Distributor of agronomic inputs and specialty fertilizer products with proprietary application technology. Comparable B2B distribution of fertilizer-related products and equipment to agricultural retailers and applicators.
• GROWMARK: Midwest-based agricultural cooperative distributing crop inputs, fuel, and propane alongside propane equipment and accessories. Closely comparable multi-product B2B distribution model with overlapping propane and fertilizer customer set.
• Co-Alliance Cooperative: Indiana-based farmer-owned cooperative distributing propane, fuel, fertilizer, and agronomy services across the Midwest. Directly comparable scale, geography, and dual propane/fertilizer B2B distribution mix.
• RDO Equipment Co. Large agricultural and construction equipment distributor/dealer with parts, service, and used-equipment offerings. Comparable B2B equipment distribution model across new/used units and aftermarket parts in ag.

Broad incumbents

• Nutrien Ag Solutions: World's largest agricultural retailer, distributing crop nutrients, crop protection, seed, and equipment to growers. Overlaps with FEI's fertilizer-equipment side at much greater scale and national footprint.
• J.R. Simplot Company: Diversified agribusiness distributing crop inputs and specialty fertilizers via retail and dealer networks. Overlaps with FEI's fertilizer distribution side; broader agricultural inputs and food processing scope make it a large incumbent.
• Suburban Propane Partners: Large U.S. propane retailer and distributor with national footprint, supplying fuel, tanks, and equipment. Overlaps with FEI on the propane side as a much larger incumbent; more retail- and fuel-weighted than equipment-weighted.
• CHS Inc. Large U.S. ag cooperative distributing crop nutrients, propane/LPG, refined fuels, and equipment across energy and ag. Comparable diversified B2B distribution across FEI's exact two verticals at substantially larger scale.

Others

• Heritage-Crystal Clean: Environmental services company distributing and servicing parts/fluids to industrial and small-engine customers. Tangentially comparable B2B parts-distribution and service model serving small-engine and industrial end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/feiinc

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 FEI