Koehl Bros

What Koehl Bros does

Koehl Bros., Inc. is a privately held Illinois-based grain systems company founded in 1946, headquartered in Fairbury with additional locations in Maroa and Assumption. The company operates as a division of Koehl Enterprises (owned by Jason Luster since 2013) and provides a full lifecycle of services for the commercial grain handling industry, including design/build of grain elevators and terminals, field construction and millwright services, equipment sales (acting as an authorized GSI and Zimmerman dealer), custom fabrication, preseason and emergency service, and parts supply. Its primary customer segments are commercial grain elevators, terminals, and large-scale agricultural operations in the Midwest, with a secondary segment serving individual farmers requiring on-farm storage and handling equipment.

The company's technical capabilities center on a 75+ year-experienced design team producing 3-D CAD layouts and turnkey facility plans, a 10,000 sq ft Maroa fabrication shop with precision plasma cutting, plate rolling, 250-ton press brake, and welding capabilities, and a NCCCO-certified crane fleet (4 cranes, 65-130 ton capacity) operated by personnel with 147+ years of combined experience. A patent-pending Burner Entry Rail System for tower dryer fall prevention (rated to 600°F, OSHA compliant) represents proprietary product development beyond dealer-resale activities. The company also co-owns a NAPA Auto Parts retail location in Assumption, extending beyond the core agricultural focus into automotive parts.

Koehl Bros generates revenue through multiple streams: professional services (design/build project fees, construction and millwright labor, recurring preseason service packages Levels 1-3, 24-hour emergency service) and hardware sales (tower dryers, grain bins up to 1.1 million bushels, material handling equipment, air systems, pit hoppers, replacement parts through Grain Systems Express). Pricing is quote-based with direct customer contact through three regional Illinois offices, and the go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting commercial grain operators across the Midwest.

Name

Koehl Bros

Legal name

Koehl Bros., Inc.

Website

https://koehlbros.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Koehl Bros is an Illinois-based grain systems company providing design, construction, equipment sales, fabrication, service, and parts for commercial grain elevators, terminals, and farms across the Midwest, operating three locations as a division of Koehl Enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Grain Handling System Design and Construction

NAICS

Machine Shops (33271), Machinery Manufacturing (333)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Grain Conveying & Handling Systems (Conveyors/Legs/Spouts) (AFAOAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grain & Agri-Bulk Terminals (Elevators, Silos, Feed Grains) (TLAHABAD), Bulk Loadout Systems (Railcar/Truck/Vessel) (AFAOAAAH)

Keywords

• Grain system design build
• Millwright services
• Grain handling equipment
• Tower dryer service
• Custom metal fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Design/Build Services: Complete grain system design and construction services for new facilities including 3-D layouts, engineering, and turnkey project management.
2. Construction Services: Field construction crews for industrial and commercial projects including grain elevators, terminals, millwright work, installation, repair, and on-site fabrication.
3. Parts Sales: Full line of service parts for tower dryers, bucket elevators, conveyors, storage bin accessories, safety equipment and day-to-day business needs. Fully stocked inventory with shipping, delivery, or pickup options.
4. Equipment Sales: Sales of grain handling equipment including Zimmerman and GSI tower dryers, portable dryers, bucket elevators, material handling systems, grain storage bins, pit hoppers, air systems, and accessories.
5. Service and Maintenance: Preseason tower dryer service packages (Level 1, 2, 3), manlift service and inspections, equipment service calls, safety upgrades. 24-hour emergency service available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Koehl Bros provides turnkey design, engineering, construction, equipment sales, custom fabrication, and ongoing service and parts for commercial grain handling facilities including elevators, terminals, tower dryers, and storage systems. The company operates as a one-stop shop serving Midwest grain operators with millwright crews, NCCCO-certified crane operators, and a 10,000 sq ft fabrication shop.

Product overview

Koehl Bros is a grain systems company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the commercial grain handling industry. The core offering centers on design/build solutions for grain elevators and terminals, complemented by GSI and Zimmerman branded equipment (tower dryers, portable dryers, commercial and farm grain storage bins, material handling equipment, and air systems), custom fabrication capabilities at their Maroa facility, and full-service maintenance including tower dryer preseason service and manlift/elevator servicing. The company also provides proprietary safety products like the patent-pending Burner Entry Rail System, temporary bunker storage solutions, and a full range of accessories and replacement parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grain System Design/Build Complete design, engineering, and construction services for new grain handling facilities, including 3-D layouts and turnkey projects for commercial grain elevators and terminals.
• Commercial Grain Storage GSI steel corrugated grain storage bins with capacities up to 1.1 million bushels, featuring 5-gauge high tensile steel construction and Z-Tek roof systems, for commercial grain operators.
• Farm Storage GSI farm grain bins available in multiple models (4002, 4004, 4024, 4022, 4032) with capacities ranging from 1,631 to 1.2 million bushels for individual farmers and farming operations.
• Zimmerman Tower Dryers Commercial tower grain dryers featuring Allen Bradley CompactLogix PLC controls, grain inverters, moisture samplers, and WatchDog remote monitoring with self-cleaning patented Accu-Trol metering system.
• GSI Portable Dryers Portable grain dryers with capacities from 220 to 4,000 BPH, featuring Vision controls with color graphical touch display and remote mounting up to 1,000 feet.
• Material Handling Equipment Bucket elevators, chain elevators, belt conveyors, unload systems, distributors, scales, and truck probes from GSI and other manufacturers for moving grain through handling facilities.
• Air Systems Grain air systems that move grain through tubes using air, featuring CA-Select valves, automatic control centers, and dual motor systems for 4-inch and 5-inch configurations.
• Pit Hoppers Custom-built in-ground receiving systems available in sizes from 75 to 1,700 bushels, featuring heavy-duty hopper construction and one-piece double-welded construction.
• ProTec Hoop Buildings
• Temporary Grain Storage Bunker storage systems handling up to 2 million bushels, featuring configurable wall panels, aeration systems, tarps, and center towers.
• Burner Entry Rail System Patent-pending fall-prevention safety system for tower dryer burner service and maintenance. Internal components rated up to 600 degrees F, 310 lb weight capacity (620 lb with dual rail), retrofittable to many brands and sizes, and OSHA compliant.
• Custom Fabrication 10,000 sq ft fabrication shop in Maroa offering precision gantry cutting (Hi Def Plasma for steel up to 2.5 inches thick), plate rolling, 250 ton press brake, welding, and structural steel fabrication for grain handling projects.
• Parts Supply Full line of service parts for tower dryers, bucket elevators, conveyors, and storage bin accessories, with online ordering through Grain Systems Express and shipping, delivery, or pickup.
• Tower Dryer Service Service for Zimmerman and GSI commercial tower dryers including parts, inspections, preseason work, and technical support; also specializes in manlift and Special Purpose Personnel Elevator service for Sidney, Shelby, Schumacher, and other brands, with 24-hour emergency service available.
• Accessories Koehl-built square spouting (10-foot lengths in 12ga to 1/4 inch), transitions, flanges, and custom configurations for existing or new equipment.
• Crane and Construction Equipment Services Crane services with NCCCO certified operators (over 147 years combined experience) and a fleet of 4 cranes ranging from 65 tons to 130 tons capacity for grain facility construction and service work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24-hour emergency service availability
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and primary.

• NAPA Auto PartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2015Koehl Enterprises acquired NAPA Auto Parts retail location at 302 S Business 51, Assumption, IL. Store serves existing agricultural customers and new automotive market segment. NAPA provides over 6,000 stores, 64 distribution centers, and 400,000+ part numbers inventory.
• GSI (Grain Systems Inc.)primaryTechnology or IntegrationPrimary equipment supplier partner for grain bins, tower dryers, portable dryers, bucket elevators, material handling systems, and air systems. Koehl is an authorized GSI dealer offering complete GSI product line including commercial storage bins (up to 1.1 million bushels), Zimmerman tower dryers, and GSI farm equipment.
• ZimmermanprimaryTechnology or IntegrationKoehl specializes in Zimmerman and GSI Commercial Tower Dryers with parts in inventory and comprehensive service capabilities. Company has provided service since 1963 when Zimmerman began operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Intersystems: Manufacturer of grain handling, conditioning, and storage equipment. Listed as a Koehl partner and a directly comparable supplier of bucket elevators, conveyors, and grain cleaning systems.
• Hutchinson (Mayrath): Manufacturer of grain handling equipment including augers, conveyors, and bucket elevators. Listed as one of Koehl's equipment partners and a comparable supplier of material handling components in the same market.
• Zimmerman Grain Dryers: Manufacturer of commercial tower grain dryers that Koehl specializes in servicing. Directly comparable as a specialist in the same product category — Zimmerman dryers — where Koehl has acted as a service partner since 1963.
• NECO (Nebraska Engineering Company): Manufacturer of grain drying, aeration, and handling equipment. Comparable to Koehl in commercial grain drying and conditioning products, particularly tower and in-bin dryer systems.
• Superior Grain Equipment: Designs and manufactures commercial grain handling and storage systems including bucket elevators, conveyors, and bins. Directly comparable as a competitor and supplier in the same Midwest grain systems space.
• Mathews Company: Manufacturer of grain dryers and material handling equipment serving farm and commercial markets. Comparable to Koehl in the dryer product category and the broader grain handling equipment space.

Broad incumbents

• Brock Grain Systems: Major manufacturer of grain bins, aeration, and material handling equipment; sister company to GSI under CTB. Comparable to Koehl because it competes for both equipment sales and project execution in commercial grain facilities.
• Sukup Manufacturing: Iowa-based family-owned manufacturer of grain bins, dryers, material handling, and steel buildings. Comparable to Koehl as a full-line grain systems provider covering storage, drying, and handling.
• GSI (Grain Systems Inc.): Largest North American manufacturer of grain storage bins, dryers, conveyors, and material handling equipment and Koehl's primary equipment partner. Directly comparable as the dominant grain systems brand Koehl installs and services.
• Chief Industries: Nebraska-based manufacturer of grain storage bins, grain dryers, and steel buildings. Comparable to Koehl for commercial grain storage and handling equipment, with overlap in Midwest project execution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KoehlBros
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZWNhSaVGmZQvjVUnRF3y8w
• Facebookfacebook.com/koehlbrothers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koehl-bros-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Koehl Bros