What MB Sturgis does

MB Sturgis Inc. is a privately held, family-owned B2B manufacturer of LP (propane) and natural gas connection products, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The company designs and manufactures hose assemblies, quick disconnects, tank connections, regulators, fittings, and adapters engineered for safe gas delivery to indoor and outdoor appliances. Its proprietary branded product lines include Sturgi-Safe quick disconnects for commercial kitchens, Sturgi-Stay auxiliary cylinder connectors for motorhomes, Sturgi-Swivel rotating connectors for commercial cooking equipment, and Sturgi-Flow quick disconnect devices for LP camping hoses. Products carry CSA and UL certifications, are rated across a temperature range of -40°F to 130°F and BTU outputs up to 130,000 per hour, and can be custom-assembled to lengths up to 100 feet in diameters from 1/4 inch to 2 inches.

The company's go-to-market is direct and channel-driven. It sells primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across multiple verticals — including BBQ grills (e.g., Weber-Stephen), recreational vehicles, standby generators, construction heaters, roofing and weed torches, and commercial kitchens — and supplements OEM supply with a distributor/reseller network, direct sales to professional gas installers, e-commerce via mbsturgis.com and CaloreEquipment.com, and international orders processed via wire transfer with Pro-Forma invoicing. Pricing is quote-based with Net 30 terms on orders over $250 and credit card terms below that threshold. Through its wholly owned subsidiary M.B. Sturgis Fittings Inc. (acquired from Head Manufacturing in 2018, based in South Elgin, Illinois), the company also produces custom brass, steel, and aluminum precision screw machine parts for automotive, plumbing, hydraulic, pneumatic, and lawn/garden industries, leveraging approximately 45 multi-spindle screw machines and a 35,500 sq ft production facility.

Ownership and operations are concentrated within the Diel family. Rosemary Diel, who led an employee buyout from founder Malcolm B. Sturgis in 1995 and acquired full ownership and the Maryland Heights facility in 1997, remains the sole owner; her sons Bill Jr. and Brian serve as operations managers with a focus on factory automation and cost reduction. The company has no disclosed institutional investors, no public listing, and no external equity partners, and operates as a niche specialty manufacturer in a regulated product category where CSA/UL certifications and OEM spec-in positions constitute the primary competitive moats.

Name

MB Sturgis

Legal name

M.B. Sturgis Inc.

Website

https://mbsturgis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MB Sturgis Inc. is a family-owned US manufacturer of LP and natural gas hose assemblies, quick disconnects, regulators, and fittings, supplying OEMs in BBQ grills, RVs, standby generators, commercial kitchens, and construction equipment, alongside a subsidiary producing precision screw machine parts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gas Connection Products and Fittings

NAICS

Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

Hoses, Tubing & Fittings (Hydraulic/Pneumatic Lines & Connectors) (IMAHAGAH)

Keywords

• Gas hose assemblies
• Quick disconnect fittings
• Propane connectors
• Natural gas regulators
• Precision screw machine parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Maryland Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gas Connection Products: Manufacturing and sale of LP and Natural Gas Hose Assemblies, Quick Disconnects, and Tank Connections for indoor and outdoor gas appliances. Revenue generated from OEM supply contracts, distributor orders, and direct sales to gas installers and end users.
2. Precision Screw Machine Products: M.B. Sturgis Fittings Inc. (wholly owned subsidiary) manufactures custom brass, steel & aluminum automatic screw machine parts for various applications including automotive, plumbing, hydraulic, pneumatic, and lawn/garden industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

MB Sturgis manufactures LP and Natural Gas connection products, including hose assemblies, quick disconnects, regulator assemblies, tank connections, and adapters used in BBQ grills, patio heaters, standby generators, construction heaters, roofing torches, and recreational vehicles. It also operates a wholly owned subsidiary, M.B. Sturgis Fittings Inc., that produces custom brass, steel, and aluminum automatic screw machine parts for automotive, plumbing, hydraulic, and other industrial applications.

Product overview

MB Sturgis Inc. is a manufacturer of LP and Natural Gas connection products, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hose assemblies, quick disconnects, regulators, tank connections, and fittings. The product portfolio centers on two main categories: gas connection products (including BBQ grill connectors, RV propane products, roofing torch accessories, generator connectors, and commercial kitchen connectors) and precision machined components. Key product lines include SturgiSafe RV propane products, Sturgi-Stays quick disconnect devices, Sturgi-Swivels, and various regulator assemblies. The company also operates a subsidiary, M.B. Sturgis Fittings Inc., which specializes in precision screw machine products for various industries including automotive, plumbing, and hydraulic applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SturgiSafe: RV Propane Products brand including LP Hoses, Sturgi-Stays, Quick Connects & Regulators
• Sturgi-Swivels
• Sturgi-Stays
• Sturgi Flows

Quantifiable outcome

• Max flow capacity of 130,000 BTU per hour on select regulators
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Head Manufacturing Inc.coreOthersAcquired in 2018 by M.B. Sturgis Inc., Head Manufacturing was a long-standing supplier of automatic screw machine parts for 35+ years before acquisition. The acquisition included Multi-Spindle Screw Machines and a 35,500 sq ft building specifically built for screw machine operations. Now operates as M.B. Sturgis Fittings Inc. subsidiary.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BrassCraft Manufacturing: BrassCraft produces gas connectors, risers, fittings, and water supply lines for residential and commercial gas appliances, directly competing in the gas hose/connector category MB Sturgis serves. Both companies target OEMs and the installation/installer channel with CSA-certified products.
• T&S Brass and Bronze Works: T&S Brass manufactures plumbing products, gas connectors, and fittings for commercial foodservice and sanitary applications, directly comparable to MB Sturgis's commercial kitchen gas connector business (Sturgi-Swivel, Sturgi-Safe).
• Merit Brass Company: Merit Brass manufactures brass and stainless steel pipe nipples, fittings, and adapters for plumbing, gas, and industrial distribution. Highly comparable to MB Sturgis's adapter/fitting business (SAE flare, pipe thread, brass elbows and tees).
• Dormont Manufacturing: Dormont is one of the most recognized manufacturers of gas appliance connectors and quick disconnects for commercial kitchens and residential gas appliances, directly competing with MB Sturgis's Sturgi-Safe and Sturgi-Swivel lines. Both serve OEMs, distributors, and installers with certified flexible gas connections.
• OmegaFlex (TracPipe): OmegaFlex manufactures flexible gas piping systems (TracPipe/CSST) for residential and commercial gas distribution, overlapping with the broader gas connector and fitting category where MB Sturgis competes. Both serve certified, code-compliant gas delivery for OEMs and installers.
• Maxitrol Company: Maxitrol is a leading manufacturer of gas pressure regulators and control valves used across gas-fired appliances and equipment, overlapping with MB Sturgis's regulator hose assemblies and gas connection products. Both serve appliance OEMs and the HVAC/RV/generator markets.
• Ward Manufacturing: Ward Manufacturing makes brass fittings, nipples, and gas connector components for plumbing, gas, and industrial markets, closely comparable to MB Sturgis's brass adapter, fitting, and connector portfolio. Both are U.S.-based brass plumbing/gas fitting specialists.

Broad incumbents

• NIBCO: NIBCO is a manufacturer of copper, brass, and plastic fittings, valves, and flow control products serving plumbing, HVAC, and industrial markets. Comparable to MB Sturgis Fittings Inc.'s screw machine and brass fitting production, but at substantially larger scale.
• Watts Water Technologies: Watts Water is a diversified manufacturer of plumbing, flow control, and water safety products with overlapping capabilities in gas and plumbing fittings, regulators, and connectors. Much larger scale and broader portfolio than MB Sturgis, but competes in adjacent categories.
• Emerson (Fisher Controls): Fisher Controls, part of Emerson, is a major manufacturer of industrial gas regulators, valves, and control instrumentation. Adjacent to MB Sturgis's pressure regulator and gas connector portfolio, but operating at enterprise-industrial scale rather than OEM gas appliance scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 MB Sturgis