Acme Refrigeration

What Acme Refrigeration does

Acme Refrigeration (legal entity Acme Refrigeration Distributors, LLC) is a privately held HVAC/R wholesale distributor founded in 1945 by Adrian E. Kaiser, Sr. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and currently operating as an affiliate of Gemaire Distributors LLC within the Watsco corporate family. The company distributes a catalog of more than 100,000 HVAC/R products spanning residential and commercial air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, water heaters, thermostats, parts, indoor air quality systems, and accessories from manufacturers including Rheem, Mitsubishi, Gree, Comfortmaker, Friedrich, Scotsman, and others. Its geographic footprint comprises 17 branches across Louisiana, 1 branch in Jackson, Mississippi, and Kaiser Supply locations in the Greater New Orleans metro (Harahan, Harvey, New Orleans East), positioning it as a regional distributor anchored in the Gulf Coast.

The company operates a hybrid distribution model combining physical branch will-call and freight delivery with a full e-commerce platform at acmeref.com and the HVAC Pro+ mobile application, which together provide 24/7 ordering, real-time inventory lookup, and account management. Digital tool stack includes the GEMstock inventory management module, the AHRI Matchups Selector for certified system configuration, GemPay invoicing integrated with Versapay, Order Templates for bulk reordering, and an online warranty claims process that does not require part return. Wingman technical support, including a January 2026 integration with the Mitsubishi Diamond Service Group for certified contractors, provides live video and text chat through the app.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time wholesale equipment and parts sales to HVAC contractors and commercial builders, supplemented by recurring credit-account services (Net-30 terms) and a small transaction-fee layer via online dealer co-op programs. Pricing is quote-based and account-gated rather than publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led, with direct relationships managed through branch-based account representatives and supported by bundled third-party software (OnCall Air, Housecall Pro, Amply, Alert Labs, Credit for Comfort) sourced from Watsco Ventures portfolio companies. Customer support operates centrally at (888) 601-0038 and through email, with dedicated phone and mobile channels.

Name

Acme Refrigeration

Legal name

Acme Refrigeration Distributors, LLC

Website

https://acmeref.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Acme Refrigeration is a privately held HVAC/R wholesale distributor serving HVAC contractors and commercial builders across Louisiana and Mississippi through 18+ physical branches and an e-commerce platform, with a 100K+ SKU catalog and an integrated mobile app for ordering, inventory, and warranty management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC/R Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740), Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42373)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC (Foodservice) Wholesale (AFAIALAI)

Keywords

• HVAC equipment distribution
• Refrigeration wholesale supply
• HVAC parts distribution
• Commercial HVAC equipment
• HVAC contractor supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Florida

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HVAC Equipment Sales: Wholesale distribution of HVAC equipment including residential and commercial air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and related systems. Sells equipment from brands including Rheem, Mitsubishi, Gree, Comfortmaker, and others.
2. Parts and Supplies Distribution: Distribution of HVAC parts, components, thermostats, indoor air quality products, water heaters, and accessories. Features over 100K products in catalog.
3. Credit Account Services: Provides credit accounts to qualified contractors and businesses, enabling Net-30 payment terms for bulk purchases.
4. Online Dealer CO-OP Programs: Marketing co-op programs accessible from account dashboard, allowing dealers to participate in joint promotional activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Acme Refrigeration is a wholesale HVAC/R distributor that sells residential and commercial heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating equipment along with parts, thermostats, and indoor air quality products from brands such as Rheem, Mitsubishi, Gree, Comfortmaker, and Friedrich. Distribution is conducted through 18+ physical branch locations in Louisiana and Mississippi and an e-commerce storefront carrying over 100,000 SKUs. The company supports contractors with proprietary digital tools including the HVAC Pro+ Mobile App, GemPay invoicing, GEMstock inventory management, AHRI Matchups, and Wingman live technical support.

Product overview

Acme Refrigeration operates as a full-service HVAC/R wholesaler with an e-commerce platform (AcmeRef.com) and over 18 branch locations in Louisiana and Mississippi. The core product offering includes the Acme HVAC Pro+ Mobile App for field technicians, supplemented by digital tools for ordering (Quick Order, Order Templates), invoicing (GemPay via Versapay), inventory management (GEMstock), and AHRI-matched system configuration. The company distributes a portfolio of equipment brands including Rheem, Mitsubishi, Gree, Comfortmaker, Friedrich, and Scotsman, along with parts brands (TradePro, White-Rodgers, Nu-Calgon, Protech, DiversiTech), smart home devices (Google Nest), and indoor air quality products (Fresh-Aire UV, PlasmaPure, iWave, REME Halo). Acme also partners with third-party software providers including OnCall Air (sales software), Housecall Pro (field service management), Amply (design/load calculation), Alert Labs (leak detection), and Credit for Comfort (financing), which are recommended to contractors but are separate software platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acme HVAC Pro+ Mobile App: Mobile application providing HVAC contractors access to product data, inventory, warranty submission, AHRI system builder, and online ordering while on the go.
• GemStock
• GemPay
• Wingman

Products and services

• Residential and Commercial HVAC Equipment Distribution Wholesale distribution of heating, air conditioning, mini-split, and water heating equipment from brands such as Rheem, Mitsubishi, Gree, Comfortmaker, and Friedrich, sold to HVAC contractors and commercial builders through branch locations and the acmeref.com online store.
• HVAC Parts, Components, and Supplies Distribution Distribution of over 100,000 SKUs of HVAC parts, thermostats, indoor air quality products, water heater accessories, and supplies from brands including TradePro, White-Rodgers, Nu-Calgon, Protech, DiversiTech, Google Nest, and Fresh-Aire UV.
• Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Distribution Wholesale distribution of commercial refrigeration equipment including ice machines (Scotsman) and walk-in cold storage for restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels, and industrial facilities.
• Acme HVAC Pro+ Mobile App Proprietary mobile application providing HVAC contractors product data, real-time branch inventory, warranty status, barcode scanning, push notifications, and on-the-go ordering through their Acme Refrigeration account. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shop a catalog of +100K Products in one place
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OnCall AircoreTechnology or IntegrationSales software built for HVAC featuring AHRI match-ups, live inventory, dynamic pricing, interactive quotes, and a powerful proposal builder. Offered as a Watsco Ventures portfolio company integrated with Acme Refrigeration services.
• Housecall ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationTop-rated field service management software built for the trades with smart scheduling and dispatching, online booking, fast payments, and essential business tools. Offered as a Watsco Ventures portfolio company integrated with Acme Refrigeration services.
• Credit for ComfortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancing program to power sales teams with simple and easy-to-use financing for closing sales on the first visit. Offered as a Watsco Ventures portfolio company.
• Gemaire Distributors LLCcoreOthersParent company and affiliated HVAC distributor. Acme Refrigeration LLC is an affiliate of Gemaire Distributors LLC, operating as part of the same corporate family under Watsco.
• Heating & Cooling Supply LLCminorOthersAffiliated entity of Acme Refrigeration operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada markets. Located in Ranch Cordova, CA.
• Kaiser SupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDivision of Acme Refrigeration family operating in Greater New Orleans area with stores in Harahan, Harvey, and New Orleans East.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Carrier Enterprise: Distributor of Carrier and Bryant HVAC/R equipment and parts to contractors across the southern U.S. Direct competitor in Louisiana/Mississippi with a comparable HVAC/R product catalog and branch-based distribution model.
• Johnstone Supply: National HVAC/R wholesale cooperative serving residential and commercial contractors with multi-brand equipment, parts, and digital tools. Directly competes with Acme in Louisiana and Mississippi and operates a similar counter-and-delivery model with e-commerce.
• Trane Supply: Trane Technologies' distributor arm selling Trane/Mitsubishi Trane HVAC equipment and parts to contractors. Competes head-to-head with Acme in the Gulf South, with similar commercial/residential contractor focus and digital ordering tools.
• R.E. Michel Company: Independent HVAC/R wholesale distributor with branches across the eastern and southern U.S. Directly comparable to Acme in customer base (HVAC contractors), product mix (multi-brand equipment and parts), and branch-based distribution model.
• Heating & Cooling Supply: Watsco-affiliated HVAC distributor operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Direct corporate sibling of Acme, sharing Watsco's HVAC distribution platform, technology, and brand portfolio.
• Gemaire Distributors: Direct corporate sibling of Acme Refrigeration under Watsco, operating HVAC distribution branches in Florida and the southeastern U.S. Shares HVAC Pro+ mobile app, GemPay, GEMstock, and AHRI system tools with Acme.

Regional players

• Gateway Supply Company: Regional HVAC/R distributor with multi-state operations in the Mid-South and Southeast. Competes with Acme for contractor accounts in overlapping geographies and offers similar multi-brand equipment and parts assortment.
• Texas AirSystems: Large regional HVAC distributor serving Texas and surrounding states with commercial and residential equipment. Comparable to Acme in commercial-builder and contractor focus, though operating in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Watsco: Acme's parent company and the largest HVAC/R distributor in North America. Operates a national network of HVAC distribution subsidiaries (Gemaire, Carrier Enterprise JV, etc.) and provides shared technology, brand relationships, and scale advantages to Acme.
• Ferguson Enterprises: Large diversified plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks distributor with national branch network. Overlaps with Acme in commercial HVAC distribution and offers the scale and credit capacity to win larger commercial/construction projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61580383341994
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acme-refrigeration-of-b-r-
• Instagraminstagram.com/acmerefrigeration

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 Acme Refrigeration