Kem Equipment, Inc

What Kem Equipment, Inc does

Kem Equipment, Inc. is a privately held, vertically integrated marine and industrial engine manufacturer headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, operating since 1948. The company sells under the Kodiak Marine Engines and KEM Power Industrial Engines brands, producing GM Marine Engine Fuel Injection (MEFI) controlled powerplants spanning 3.0L to 10.3L displacements for marine sport (jet, sterndrive, inboard), stationary industrial (pumps, generators, well head gas), and mobile industrial applications. All Kodiak marine engines ship standard with a proprietary closed cooling system and are custom dyno-calibrated in-house across four dynamometers, with options for direct injection, variable valve timing, supercharging (6.2L LT4 at 600 hp), and big-block port injection (LSX 454 at 511 hp). Engine packages are certified to EPA, CARB, and (as of 2026) CE standards across 31 European countries.

The business model is B2B hardware sales of high-value, custom-configured engines plus parts and accessories (MVP Gauge Panels, Diacom diagnostic software), distributed via direct phone sales (800-304-0751), a published marine service dealer network, and a Lewiston, Idaho distribution facility. Industrial engines support flexible fuel configurations including gasoline, propane, natural gas, CNG, dual fuel, and well head gas (700–2500 BTU). The company is privately held with no disclosed funding, parent company, management roster, or financial statements, operating with 13 employees from a single Tualatin facility that houses design, testing, parts sourcing, manufacturing, and assembly under one roof.

Name

Kem Equipment, Inc

Legal name

KEM Equipment, Inc.

Website

https://kemequipment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kem Equipment, Inc. is a privately held, 13-employee marine and industrial engine manufacturer in Tualatin, Oregon, selling Kodiak-branded GM MEFI ECM-powered engines (3.0L–10.3L) to boat builders, generator OEMs, and oilfield operators via direct sales and a marine dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engine Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing (333618)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Propulsion, Power & Energy Systems Design (Diesel, Hybrid, Electric, Alternative Fuels) (IMAJAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN), Propulsion Control, Monitoring & Automation (ECS, PMS interface) (IMAJAHAH), Marine Diesel & Barge-Mounted Power Generation (EUACACAJ)

Keywords

• Marine engines
• Industrial engines
• Engine manufacturing
• Fuel injection systems
• Custom engine calibration

Headquarters

HQ city

Tualatin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marine Engine Sales: Sale of Kodiak Marine engines including direct injection, supercharged, and port injection models for recreational and commercial marine applications. Engines are custom calibrated and come standard with closed cooling systems.
2. Industrial Engine Sales: Sale of industrial engines for mobile and stationary applications running on gasoline, propane (LP), natural gas (NG), compressed natural gas (CNG), dual fuel, and well head gas. Applications include pumps, generators, and industrial equipment.
3. Parts and Accessories: Sale of Kodiak branded parts including MVP Gauge Panels, Diacom diagnostic software, jet drives, and replacement parts through parts manuals and dealer network.
4. Service and Support: Technical support, calibration services, and ongoing service for engines that have been in service for years. Development of new products to meet customer needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kem Equipment designs, manufactures, and calibrates Kodiak-branded marine engines and KEM-branded industrial engines using GM Marine Engine Fuel Injection (MEFI) engine control modules. Marine engines (4.3L to 7.4L) are dyno-calibrated for jet, sterndrive, and custom inboard installations and ship standard with closed cooling systems. Industrial engines (3.0L to 10.3L) support mobile and stationary applications running on gasoline, propane, natural gas, CNG, dual fuel, and well head gas.

Product overview

Kem Equipment, Inc. is a marine and industrial engine manufacturer headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, operating since 1948. The company offers two core product lines: Kodiak Marine Engines for marine sport applications (inboard jet, sterndrive, and custom installations) and KEM Industrial Engines for mobile and stationary power equipment. Marine engines include direct-injected V6 and V8 models (4.3L, 5.3L, 6.2L), supercharged engines (6.2L LT4), and big block port-injected options (LSX 454). Industrial engines span 3.0L to 10.3L displacements running on gasoline, propane, natural gas, CNG, and well head gas. Both lines utilize GM MEFI engine control modules. Accessories include MVP Gauge Panels for engine monitoring and Diacom diagnostic software. The company operates four dynamometers and emissions testing equipment on-site for in-house development and certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kodiak Marine Engines: Marine engines featuring closed cooling systems and GM Marine Fuel Injection (MEFI) control modules, including models like LT4 supercharged, LSX 454, and direct-injected V6 and V8 engines
• Kodiak Jet Drive
• Kodiak Marine

Products and services

• Kodiak Marine Engines Complete line of Kodiak-branded marine engines for inboard jet, sterndrive, and custom boat installations. All models come standard with closed cooling systems and GM MEFI ECM control modules, dyno-calibrated and tested in northwest waters for jet pump and out drive applications.
• KEM Industrial Engines Complete line of KEM industrial engines for mobile and stationary applications in displacements from 3.0L to 10.3L. Engines are configured for gasoline, propane (LP), natural gas (NG), CNG, dual fuel, or well head gas fuels using GM MEFI ECM for spark and fuel control.
• 6.2L LT4 Marine Engine Supercharged 6.2L Gen-V V8 small-block marine engine producing 600 hp @ 6000 rpm and 657 lb-ft torque @ 4100 rpm. Features a 1.7L Eaton R1740 TVS supercharger, direct injection, variable valve timing, and a 10.0:1 compression ratio for high-performance marine applications.
• LSX 454 Marine Engine 7.4L Gen-IV V8 small-block port fuel injected marine engine producing 511 hp @ 5200 rpm and 528 lb-ft torque @ 4200 rpm. Features LSX cast iron block, high-flow CNC ported cylinder heads, and operates on regular gasoline for big block performance repowers.
• 4.3L V6 VVT DI (LV3) Marine Engine 4.3L direct injected V6 marine engine producing 294 hp @ 5000 rpm and 331 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm. Features MEFI 7 ECM, 11.0:1 compression ratio, and direct injection for efficient clean-running marine performance.
• 5.3L V8 VVT DI (L83) Marine Engine 5.3L direct injected V8 marine engine producing 343 hp @ 5000 rpm and 383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm. Features SIDI fuel system, regular unleaded fuel compatibility, and 11.0:1 compression ratio.
• 6.2L V8 VVT DI (L87) Marine Engine 6.2L direct injected V8 marine engine producing 407 hp @ 5000 rpm and 460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm. Features 11.5:1 compression ratio, active fuel management, and MEFI 7 ECM. CE certified for European sale.
• Kodiak Jetdrive Kodiak-branded jet drives in two-stage (100-415 hp, for 18'-20' planing craft) and three-stage (200-450 hp, for 20'-22' planing craft) configurations featuring stainless steel impellers, true axial-flow design, and emergency reverse bucket.
• Stationary 3.0L Industrial Engine 3.0L inline-4 industrial engine available with natural gas or propane fuel, producing up to 65 BHP intermittent @ 2600 rpm. Features industrial grade cylinder valves and hardened valve seats for stationary power applications.
• Stationary 4.3L Industrial Engine 4.3L V-6 industrial engine running on propane, natural gas, or low BTU gaseous fuel, producing up to 96 BHP on propane. Features a balance shaft for smooth operation in stationary applications.
• Stationary 5.7L Industrial Engine 5.7L V-8 industrial engine available for propane, natural gas, or low BTU gaseous fuel for pumps, generators, and industrial equipment. Features a hydraulic roller camshaft pattern for low RPM performance.
• Stationary 8.0L Industrial Engine 8.0L industrial engine with 488 cid displacement and 738 lbs net weight for stationary industrial applications. EPA certified package available.
• Stationary 10.3L Industrial Engine 10.3L V-8 industrial engine with 632 cid displacement and 10.5:1 compression ratio, producing up to 198 BHP intermittent on propane. Features dual fuel mixer system, oil coolers, and electronic throttle.
• Mobile 8.0L (GFI-LP) Industrial Engine 8.0L gaseous fuel injected liquid propane engine for mobile industrial applications with ultra low emissions certification. Features MEFI ECM control, hydraulic roller cam, and internally balanced design for dynamic loading conditions.
• MVP Gauge Panels CAN-based (J1939) gauge panel accessory displaying engine parameters including intake manifold air temperature, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. Reads and clears trouble codes, displays FMI and SPN. IP68 rated for marine and industrial use.
• Diacom Marine Diagnostic System PC-based Windows diagnostic software for GM MEFI ECM equipped engines, supporting reading engine parameters, detecting and clearing trouble codes, recording live EFI data, exercising outputs, and ECM reflash capability for factory authorized dealers.
• MotoService Windows PC-based service tool for WoodWord ECM equipped industrial engines featuring graphical data logging, detailed fault diagnostics, activation and testing of loads, fault history viewing, and ECM calibration changes for authorized OEM distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600 horsepower and 657 lb-ft of torque from 6.2L LT4 supercharged engine
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Caterpillar Marine Power: Major supplier of marine propulsion and auxiliary engines for commercial vessels. Comparable industrial/marine engine portfolio, but focused on heavier-duty diesel markets; KEM's gaseous-fuel flexibility is differentiated versus Cat's diesel-heavy lineup.
• Mercury Marine (Brunswick Corporation): Largest marine propulsion OEM globally, offering inboard, outboard, and sterndrive engines across recreational and commercial segments. Directly comparable in marine engine manufacturing and competes with Kodiak in jet/sterndrive/inboard power categories, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Volvo Penta: Global marine and industrial engine manufacturer offering sterndrives, inboards, and auxiliary industrial power. Directly comparable product portfolio to KEM's Kodiak marine line and KEM industrial engines, with stronger brand presence in Europe — the same region KEM is just entering via CE certification.
• Yamaha Marine: Major outboard and inboard marine engine manufacturer with deep dealer network. Comparable as a marine propulsion competitor, though predominantly outboard-focused where KEM does not compete. Useful as a benchmark for marine GTM and brand-building.
• Doosan Industrial Vehicles / Power Systems: Manufacturer of industrial engines and power systems for stationary and mobile applications including gaseous fuel. Comparable industrial-side competitor for KEM's stationary and mobile engines serving generators and pumps.
• Cummins Inc. Global manufacturer of diesel and natural gas engines for marine, industrial, oil & gas, and power generation applications. Comparable on the industrial/gaseous-fuel side where KEM sells stationary and mobile industrial engines, including well head gas applications.

Direct peers

• Crusader Marine Engines: Manufacturer of gasoline inboard marine engines for recreational boats, focused on the repower and OEM builder market — directly comparable to KEM's Kodiak inboard and sterndrive products. Similar niche, similar customer base (boat builders and re-power dealers).
• PCM Marine Engines: Producer of inboard marine engines for ski/wake/surf boats and cruisers. Direct competitor to Kodiak in the inboard marine propulsion segment, with similar scale and similar dependence on automotive-derived V8 platforms.
• Ilmor Engineering: High-performance marine and motorsport engine manufacturer, well-known in performance boating for V8 inboard engines. Comparable to KEM on performance marine engines (LT4-class outputs) and on serving custom/builder channels.

Emerging players

• Stelling Banff (no clear single fit) — substituted with Mast Motorsports: Performance engine builder specializing in GM LS/LT-based marine and automotive crate engines. Highly comparable to KEM's Kodiak marine line in technology base (GM MEFI ECM, LS/LT platforms) and customer profile (enthusiast/repower channel), though more auto-skewed.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kem-equipment-inc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Kem Equipment, Inc