Independent Protection

What Independent Protection does

Independent Protection Co., Inc. (IPC) is a US-based, family-owned manufacturer of structural lightning protection systems headquartered in Goshen, Indiana. Founded in 1934 by Earnest C. Cripe (with predecessor roots to the mid-1920s), IPC is now run by fourth- and fifth-generation Cripe family members and claims to be the oldest continually operated lightning protection manufacturer in the United States. The company designs, engineers, and produces a 399+ SKU catalog of lightning protection components including air terminals, conductor cable and strip, mounting bases, connectors, fasteners, grounding equipment, surge protection devices, and thru-roof/wall assemblies, plus a specialized Tree Lightning Protection Systems (TLPS) line. All systems are designed to comply with UL96A, NFPA 780, and LPI 175 standards using LPI-certified staff.

IPC operates a B2B channel-partner go-to-market: it manufactures and supplies components, provides CAD-based design, layout, and material take-off services, and refers end-customer inquiries to a network of affiliated dealer contracting companies that handle installation across most major US markets and select international markets. Revenue is generated through one-time equipment sales to dealers and wholesalers, plus professional services fees for engineering and design work. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. End customers span commercial and industrial facilities, residential homes (including historic landmarks), and tree owners (golf courses, estates), with the wholesale/manufacturer/engineer/architect channel as a distinct business unit. No external funding, M&A, or recapitalization events have been disclosed, and AI/ML capabilities are not a stated part of the technology stack.

Name

Independent Protection

Legal name

Independent Protection Co., Inc.

Website

https://ipclp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent Protection is a family-owned US manufacturer, founded 1934, that designs and produces structural lightning protection components and systems, supplying dealers and contractors in commercial, industrial, residential, and tree-protection markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lightning Protection Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Grounding, Bonding & Lightning Protection (grounding bars, clamps, earthing systems, lightning arrestors) (IMAGAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grounding, Bonding & Lightning Protection Conductors (IMADAMAM)

Keywords

• Lightning protection systems
• Structural lightning protection
• Lightning protection components
• Surge protection devices
• Lightning protection design

Headquarters

HQ city

Goshen

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, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lightning Protection Equipment Manufacturing: IPC manufactures and sells lightning protection components including air terminals, cable, connectors, bases, ground rods, and surge protection equipment to dealer contractors and wholesalers.
2. Design and Engineering Services: Provides CAD design, layout assistance, and material take-off services for lightning protection systems. Fees for engineering support and custom design work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Independent Protection Company manufactures structural lightning protection components—including air terminals, conductor cables, connectors, bases, grounding equipment, surge protection devices, and thru-roof/wall assemblies—and sells them to a network of dealer contractors. The company also provides custom CAD design, layout, and material take-off engineering services compliant with UL96A, NFPA 780, and LPI 175 standards. A specialized Tree Lightning Protection System (TLPS) line extends the offering to arborists, golf courses, and estates.

Product overview

Independent Protection Company (IPC) is a manufacturer and installer of lightning protection systems, established in 1934. The company operates as a hardware manufacturer producing a comprehensive portfolio of lightning protection components including Bases (aluminum and copper/bronze), Conductor Cables & Strips, Connectors (aluminum, copper, bi-metallic), Fasteners, Grounding Equipment, Surge Protection Devices, Thru-Roof & Thru-Wall Assemblies, and Strike Termination components (air terminals, adapters, tube points). IPC also manufactures specialized Tree Lightning Protection Systems (TLPS) for arborists and tree care companies. Beyond component manufacturing, IPC provides complementary services including CAD design and layout, material take-offs, and installation assistance for commercial, residential, and tree protection applications. The company is the oldest continually operated lightning protection manufacturer in the nation, affiliated with dealer contracting companies across the United States and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lightning Protection Bases Mounting bases for lightning protection systems available in aluminum and copper/bronze/brass variants, including concealed, horizontal, saddle (ridge) type, and universal configurations for various structural applications. Sold to dealer contractors and wholesalers for installation on commercial, industrial, and residential structures.
• Conductor Cable and Strip Conductor cables and strips for lightning protection systems, including aluminum cable, copper cable, flexible bonding cable, and copper/aluminum strip materials in various gauges. Used by dealers to assemble structural lightning protection systems.
• Lightning Protection Connectors Connector types for lightning protection systems including bonding plates and straps, bus terminals and track connectors, cross run clamps, parallel connectors, straight connectors, T splicers, and bi-metallic connectors in aluminum and copper materials. Used by contractors to join components in lightning protection installations.
• Fasteners and Related Hardware Fastening hardware for lightning protection installations including adhesive style anchors, anchor type fasteners, bolts/nails/screws/nuts, loop style fasteners, washers, and seals in aluminum and copper/bronze materials. Sold to dealers for system assembly.
• Grounding Equipment Grounding components including ground plates, ground rods with clamps and couplers, guard pipes and fasteners, water pipe clamps, and miscellaneous grounding equipment for safe lightning dissipation. Used by contractors to complete lightning protection installations.
• Surge Protection Devices Surge protection equipment for incoming electric, telephone, and CATV services to protect structures from lightning-induced power surges. Sold to dealers and wholesalers for residential and commercial installations.
• Thru-Roof and Thru-Wall Assemblies Weatherproof assemblies for routing lightning protection conductors through roofs and walls, including component items, thru-roof assemblies, and thru-wall assemblies with Neoprene washers and stainless steel rods. Supplied to dealers for system installation.
• Strike Termination Devices (Air Terminals, Adapters, Tube Points) Air terminals (lightning rods), adjustable and fixed adapters, chimney access components, chimney notched rods, point tip protectors, spring points, decorative terminals, and tube point accessories for intercepting lightning strikes. Includes IPC's patented specialty items such as tube points and adjustable adapters.
• Lightning Protection System Design Services Complete computer-aided design (CAD) and layout services for lightning protection systems, including design and layout assistance, material take-offs, and engineering support compliant with UL96A, NFPA 780, and LPI 175 standards. Provided to manufacturers, engineers, architects, designers, wholesalers, and contractors.
• Installation Assistance and Consultation Installation assistance for lightning protection systems including LPI certified staff support, parts selection guidance, AutoCAD submittal drawings, and consultation services for contractors and engineers.
• Tree Lightning Protection Systems (TLPS) Specialized lightning protection systems for trees utilizing TCIA-endorsed ANSI A300 Pt. 4 Tree Standards and ISA Best Management Practices, including preliminary material estimates, cable, air terminals, and tree drive equipment. Sold to arborists, golf courses, and estate owners to preserve high-value trees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lightning protection systems are nearly 99% effective when properly installed per Underwriters Laboratories.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Dealer Contracting CompaniescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIPC is affiliated with dealer contracting companies in most major market areas in the United States and internationally. These dealers handle installation of lightning protection systems using IPC manufactured components.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Alltec (formerly Lightning Eliminators & Consultants): Specializes in lightning protection, surge protection, and grounding solutions for industrial, commercial, and renewable energy applications; competes head-to-head in the same UL/NFPA-code-driven specification market.
• National Lightning Protection: U.S. designer, manufacturer, and installer of UL-listed lightning protection systems — directly comparable in product offering, code compliance focus, and commercial/industrial customer mix.
• Thompson Lightning Protection: Family-owned lightning protection manufacturer and installer serving the Midwest and beyond — comparable in scale, product scope, and reliance on code-driven specifications.
• Heary Bros Lightning Protection: Long-standing family-run lightning protection manufacturer and installer (founded 1895) — direct historical peer in the structural lightning protection category with similar dealer/installer business model.
• Harger Lightning & Grounding: Manufacturer of lightning protection and grounding equipment (air terminals, down conductors, grounding systems, exothermic connections) — directly overlapping IPC's catalog and B2B dealer channel.
• A-C Lightning Security: Manufacturer and installer of commercial and residential lightning protection systems and surge protection — overlapping product line and customer base with IPC.
• East Coast Lightning Equipment: U.S.-based manufacturer of structural lightning protection components (air terminals, cable, connectors, grounding hardware) serving the same UL96A/NFPA 780-compliant market through a similar dealer-contractor model.

Broad incumbents

• DEHN SE: German-headquartered global manufacturer of lightning protection, surge protection, and earthing systems — broad incumbent with overlapping product categories but a global footprint and much larger R&D budget than IPC.
• nVent ERICO (nVent Electric): Large electrical equipment platform owning ERICO's Cadweld grounding and nVent ERICO lightning protection product lines — competes with IPC on grounding hardware and surge protection within a much broader electrical portfolio.
• ABB Installation Products (Thomas & Betts / O-Z/Gedney): Large diversified electrical products manufacturer offering grounding, bonding, and surge protection solutions that overlap with portions of IPC's catalog, serving similar commercial/industrial customers via broader electrical distribution channels.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IndependentProtectionCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-protection-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Independent Protection