MECOA

What MECOA does

MECOA (Model Engine Corporation of America) is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer and distributor of small-bore internal combustion model engines for radio-controlled aircraft, boats, and cars, headquartered in Irwindale, California. The company produces and sells engines ranging from .049 to 3.4 cubic inch displacement using glow plug ignition, with proprietary porting designs (Schnuerle, cross-flow) and constructions such as ABC (Aluminum Bored Chrome) cylinders, platinum/rhodium-alloy glow plugs, and double ball-bearing crankshafts. Its core manufactured line is branded MECOA, but the business is also the consolidator of an extensive portfolio of acquired U.S. and European heritage brands — K&B, FOX, WEBRA, HP, HB, FUJI, VECO, Torpedo, FURY, RJL, Cameron, Cox, Edson, Hayes, Klett, CB-Tatone, MACS, and Zinger — each retained as a distinct sub-brand with original factory replacement parts supported.

The company operates a factory-direct, multi-channel go-to-market model: primary sales occur through the mecoa.biz e-commerce platform, supplemented by phone orders, mail order, international shipping, and approved authorized dealers. Revenue is generated from four streams: (1) new engine and product sales across all owned brands, (2) replacement parts and accessories, (3) non-warranty repair services, and (4) limited vintage engine restoration and parts support. Pricing is unit-based with quantity discounts on select accessories, no sales tax outside California, and customers are not charged until shipment. The customer base is fragmented and consumer-oriented — individual hobbyists in control-line, R/C aircraft, model marine, and nitro RC car segments, plus vintage engine collectors — with no disclosed enterprise or B2B customers.

MECOA's growth has been driven entirely by acquisition rather than institutional capital: founder Randy Linsalato began the business in 1980 with RJL Industries and has incrementally absorbed legacy engine tooling and inventory from exiting manufacturers for over 40 years. The company has no external funding, no app, no API, and no disclosed digital platform beyond its e-commerce site and marketing video channels on YouTube and Rumble.

Name

MECOA

Legal name

Model Engine Corporation of America

Website

https://mecoa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MECOA is a privately held, family-owned American manufacturer and consolidator of glow-plug model engines for R/C aircraft, boats, and cars, selling factory direct across acquired brands including K&B, FOX, WEBRA, HP, HB, FUJI, VECO, and Cox to individual hobbyists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hobby Model Engines

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336), Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing (333618)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Manufacturing (Gasoline/Diesel) (IMACAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Passenger Vehicle Engine Systems Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAF)

Keywords

• Model engines
• Glow plug engines
• Hobby rc engines
• Control line engines
• Model boat engines

Headquarters

HQ city

Irwindale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engine Sales: Direct sales of model engines under MECOA, K&B, FOX, WEBRA, RJL, HB, HP, Fuji and other acquired brands for airplanes, boats, and cars. Ranges from .049 to 3.4 cubic inch displacement engines.
2. Parts and Accessories: Replacement parts, glow plugs, fuel tanks, engine mounts, propellers, spinners, mufflers, tuned pipes, and marine accessories. Original factory replacement parts for all supported engine brands.
3. Engine Repair Services: Non-warranty repair services for engines they manufacture or supply parts for. Labor and parts pricing with estimation fees.
4. Vintage Engine Restoration: Limited restoration and support for vintage engines including Anderson Spitfire, Baby Cyclone, Cunningham, Holland Hornet, Atwood, Forster, Edco, Elfin, Johnson, Hassad, Viking Twin, ME Snipe, and Remco engines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MECOA manufactures and distributes small internal combustion model engines (glow-plug and ignition) for radio-controlled airplanes, boats, and cars in sizes from .049 to 3.4 cubic inches, sold under its own brand and multiple acquired legacy brands (K&B, FOX, WEBRA, HP, HB, FUJI, VECO, RJL). The company also sells original factory replacement parts, glow plugs, propellers, carburetors, tuned pipes, engine mounts, fuel tanks, and accessories, and provides repair services for engines it manufactures or supplies parts for.

Product overview

MECOA (Model Engine Company of America) is America's largest producer of model engines, operating as a manufacturer and distributor of hobby products. The company owns multiple acquired brands including K&B, FOX, WEBRA, HP, HB, FUJI, and RJL, producing model engines for airplanes, boats, and cars in sizes ranging from .049 to 3.4 cubic inches. Beyond engines, MECOA's portfolio includes accessories like Hayes fuel tanks and wheels, CB-Tatone mounts and accessories, Edson adjustable engine mounts, Klett tail wheels, Zinger propellers, Kavan carburetors, and K&B/FOX glow plugs. The company also acquired MACS tuned pipe systems, Cameron Engineering (Rodzy tether cars), and Cox Hobbies. MECOA sells factory direct and through authorized dealers, offering original factory replacement parts for all their brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K&B Engines: Model engine brand acquired from K&B Manufacturing
• RJL Engines
• Hayes Products
• CB-Tatone
• WEBRA Engines
• FOX Motors
• Zinger Propellers
• Edson
• Klett Plastics
• Cameron Engines
• MACS Products

Products and services

• MECOA Model Engines MECOA-branded model engines for airplanes, boats, and cars. The company produces its own engine line including .15, .32, .46, and .61 cubic inch engines with hard chrome ABC cylinders, double ball bearings, Schnuerle porting, and all-metal carburetors. Sold factory direct.
• K&B Engines
• FOX Motors
• WEBRA Engines
• HP (Hirtenberger) Engines
• HB Engines
• FUJI Engines
• VECO Engines
• RJL Engines
• Vintage Engine Restoration and Parts
• Hayes Products
• CB-Tatone Products
• Edson Adjustable Engine Mounts
• MACS Products Tuned Pipes
• Klett Plastics
• Zinger Propellers
• Kavan Carburetors
• K&B and FOX Glow Plugs
• Marine Accessories
• Engine Replacement Parts
• Compagnucci R/C Cars
• Engine Repair Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.5% stock availability accuracy
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Zinger PropellersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020MECOA purchased remaining inventory and equipment of Zinger Propellers maker of maple hardwood propellers. Joe Zingali spent 25 years designing Pro Zinger props for competitive flyers.
• Cox HobbiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019MECOA purchased Cox Hobbies in entirety from Estes Industries. Sterling Models was also included in the purchase. MECOA makes COX engine replacement parts. Significant brand acquisition.
• Cameron EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018MECOA acquired Cameron Engineering makers of Rodzy Tether Cars and Engines. Cameron .23 ignition, 15 and 19 glow and Rodzy Engines available through MECOA.
• Hayes ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Hayes Products originally sold by Kraft Systems in the 1970s, made by Chuck Hayes. MECOA acquired the remaining inventory and equipment when the owner passed away. Hayes Products makes nylon mounts, fuel tanks, wheels, clamps, and hardware.
• MACS ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MACS Products maker of tuned pipe systems. MECOA purchased all remaining MACS inventory after owner David McAllister passed away. Supply is limited.
• FOX ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MECOA bought FOX Manufacturing of Fort Smith Arkansas and moved most of it to California. Major American model engine brand acquisition.
• Webra EnginescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014MECOA bought Webra Engines of Austria/Germany and moved all inventory, some machinery, and all tooling to California. Key brand acquisition for European market presence.
• Klett PlasticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013MECOA bought Klett Plastics. Products include tail wheels, control horns, hinges, and push rod exit guides.
• Edson Engine MountsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008MECOA bought Edson who made adjustable engine mounts. Edson mounts now made in USA by MECOA from aluminum and components.
• Shuwa IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007MECOA bought Shuwa Industries of Japan. Owner Mr. Tsuno passed away early 60s. Family could not continue business due to US customer bankruptcy owing $100,000.
• CB-TatoneminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005MECOA bought CB-Tatone makers of tires, engine mounts and mufflers. Both CB Associates and Tatone were acquired and consolidated.
• K&B ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999MECOA bought K&B Manufacturing in its entirety and moved it to So. California. With K&B came the rights to VECO, Torpedo and FURY engines. Most significant brand acquisition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• APC Propellers: US maker of composite and wood propellers for RC aircraft, complementary to MECOA's Zinger propeller line. Competes with MECOA in propellers and is sold into the same hobbyist channel.
• Dynamo Model Aircraft Engines: US-era producer of high-end reed-valve model engines whose tooling and IP were absorbed into MECOA's portfolio. Illustrative competitor for vintage/precision hobby glow engines.
• Estes Industries: US model rocket maker that previously owned Cox Hobbies before selling it to MECOA in 2019. Adjacent hobby peer operating in similar specialty/RC channels and consolidating hobby assets.
• Enya Model Engine Mfg: Long-established Japanese maker of high-quality model engines, sold in the US via MECOA (limited stock) and independent distributors. Comparable as a small-bore precision model ICE manufacturer with overlapping product range.

Broad incumbents

• Tower Hobbies: Large US mail-order and online hobby retailer for RC aircraft, cars, and engines. MECOA distributes certain products through Tower-related channels; functionally a channel and assortment competitor for hobby engines and accessories.
• Horizon Hobby: Large US hobby distributor and manufacturer of RC aircraft, cars, and accessories, distributing multiple engine brands including OS, Saito, and Evolution. Comparable to MECOA as a US-based hobby engine and accessories seller, but operates at far greater scale across electric and combustion products.

Regional players

• HobbyKing: Hong Kong-based global online hobby retailer selling budget engines and accessories. Competes with MECOA on imported model engines at the low end of the market and serves international hobbyists that MECOA struggles to reach economically.

Direct peers

• OS Engines (OS Max): Japanese manufacturer of model glow- and gasoline-engine lines (OS Max, OS Superior, FS Series) widely considered the global market leader. Directly comparable to MECOA as a model ICE engine maker for aircraft, marine, and cars.
• Saito Engines: Japan-based manufacturer of large-displacement four-stroke model aircraft engines, distributed through Horizon Hobby. Directly competes with MECOA in glow/gasoline model aircraft engines and shares the air-cooled small-bore ICE specialization.

Others

• Carl Goldberg Models: Legacy US model aircraft and engine brand (Ultimate, Eagle, Sophisticated etc.), historically adjacent to MECOA's K&B/VECO portfolio in control-line and RC model aircraft hobbyists. Weak direct overlap but same installed base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MECOA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/MECOA-100066588099455
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mecoa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries12 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 MECOA