BlowHard Fans

What BlowHard Fans does

BlowHard Fans is a privately held, family-owned designer and manufacturer of battery-operated positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans headquartered in Albany, Oregon. Founded before 2010, the company pioneered the first battery-operated PPV fan for the firefighting industry and now sells a full lineup spanning ultra-compact (Squirt), compact (Quickee), high-performance compact (Quickee Xtendo), swappable-battery (Hottee), and large battery-operated (Commando) models, plus the legacy BH-20 (being discontinued). All products are built around proprietary technologies under the BH Technologies umbrella: High-Flow X-Jet expansion airstream technology, Smart-Tec integrated control and diagnostics, Power Sharing battery management, Ergo-Fold 180-degree articulation, and the Opti-Max design philosophy that engineers nearly every component in-house. The portfolio is targeted at municipal and volunteer fire departments, technical rescue teams, and industrial emergency response crews, with named customers including the City of Windsor Fire Department, Brentwood FD, MD State Firefighters Association, Lake Cities FD, Tewksbury FD, and Meridian Twp FD, several of whom report 10-15+ year relationships with the brand.

BlowHard generates revenue through direct hardware sales of PPV fans and recurring parts and accessories (misting rings, high-flow misters, ducting, wheel kits, and the BH-20 retrofit kit). Go-to-market runs through an authorized dealer network for fan sales and direct phone/email ordering for parts and accessories, with quote-based pricing (no public list prices). Distribution is North American (USA and Canada), and the company invests in content marketing via a technical blog, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and a monthly newsletter aimed at firefighter buyers. The business is bootstrapped and founder-controlled by the Hadlock family, with Michael Hadlock as Owner/Creator/Engineer, Ben Hadlock as VP Sales and Distribution, Rebekah Hadlock as Operations Manager, Kyle Davis as Business Manager, and Ed Schwanke in customer support, supported by a team of 1-10 employees.

Name

BlowHard Fans

Legal name

BlowHard Fans

Website

https://blowhardfans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BlowHard Fans designs and manufactures battery-operated positive pressure ventilation fans for firefighting, rescue, and industrial crews. The privately held, family-owned Oregon company sells its premium Squirt, Quickee, Hottee, and Commando lines through US and Canadian dealer networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firefighting Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Fans, Blowers & Ventilation Units (Supply/Exhaust/Inline) (IMADANAB)

Keywords

• Positive pressure ventilation fans
• Battery operated PPV fans
• Firefighting ventilation equipment
• Industrial ventilation fans
• Emergency response fans

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PPV Fan Hardware Sales: Direct sales of battery-operated and AC-powered positive pressure ventilation fans to fire departments, rescue teams, and industrial customers through dealer network and direct purchasing.
2. Parts & Accessories: Replacement parts, accessories (misting rings, high-flow misters, ducting, wheel kits), and retrofit kits for existing BH-20 fans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BlowHard Fans designs, engineers, and manufactures a complete lineup of high-performance battery-operated and AC-powered Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fans for firefighting, rescue, and industrial emergency response crews. The product portfolio spans ultra-compact to high-performance models (Squirt, Quickee, Quickee Xtendo, Hottee, Commando, BH-20) along with accessories such as misting rings, ducting, wheel kits, and retrofit battery upgrade kits, sold through an authorized dealer network and direct channels.

Product overview

BlowHard Fans manufactures a complete lineup of high-performance Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fans for firefighters, rescue, and industrial crews. The product portfolio spans from ultra-compact to high-performance models: Squirt (smallest PPV fan, 17-inch blade), Quickee (compact, 20-inch blade), Quickee Xtendo (X-Series smart fan), Hottee (swappable battery for DeWalt/Milwaukee), Commando (high-performance designed to replace gas-powered fans, 24-inch blade), and BH-20 (first battery-operated PPV fan, being discontinued). All fans feature proprietary High-Flow Jet Technology, Ergo-Fold 180-degree articulation, and Smart-Tec intelligent control systems. Accessories include Misting Ring, High-Flow Mister, Ducting (fan-specific), and Wheel Kits. The company pioneered battery-operated PPV technology and continues to innovate with X-Series smart fans featuring real-time dynamic feedback.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• X-Series: Product line featuring Smart-Tec intelligent control system with dynamic operator interface, battery management, and diagnostics. Includes Squirt, Quickee Xtendo, and Hottee models.
• BH Technologies

Products and services

• Squirt Ultra-compact, lightweight battery-operated PPV fan with 17-inch blade, designed for maximum maneuverability while delivering 11,200 CFM AMCA equivalent and 8.32 lbs thrust. Features Smart-Tec System with dynamic battery monitoring. For fire departments, rescue teams, and industrial crews.
• Quickee Compact battery-operated PPV fan with 20-inch blade and High-Flow Jet Technology, delivering 11,400 CFM AMCA equivalent and 7.4 lbs thrust. Features Ergo-Fold 180-degree tilt and adjustable path lighting. For fire departments and emergency services.
• Quickee Xtendo X-Series Smart fan in the compact Quickee package with extreme performance rivaling Commando. Features 14,540 CFM, 53-minute runtime, 1100Wh battery, and Smart-Tec System with dynamic operator interface. For fire departments needing high-performance compact ventilation.
• Hottee Swappable battery-operated PPV fan compatible with DeWalt or Milwaukee batteries. Features BlowHard Power Sharing Technology, IP-76 protection, and delivers 12,700 CFM with 8.32 lbs thrust. Only swappable battery-operated fan with full IP-76 protection including battery compartments.
• Commando High-performance battery-operated PPV fan designed to replace gasoline-powered fans. Features 24-inch blade, 16,300 CFM AMCA equivalent, 13.4 lbs thrust, and 1073 watt-hour battery equivalent to 5 large 12AH batteries.
• BH-20 First battery-operated PPV fan that changed the firefighting industry. Features 20-inch blade, 10,200 CFM AMCA value, Ergo-Fold design. Now being discontinued with retrofit kit available for battery upgrade.
• Misting Ring Universal accessory for all BlowHard fans with magnetic quick setup and 8 nozzles. Places nozzles in airstream for optimal mist distribution, ideal for firefighter and civilian heat recovery.
• High-Flow Mister Universal accessory for all BlowHard fans that produces 60L per minute wall of water to create protective barrier between buildings to stop fire spreading. Magnetic quick setup with On/Off ball valve.
• Commando Ducting Fan-specific ducting for Commando in 16-inch diameter. Reinforced PVC fabric with 650gsm thickness and 55mm insulation. Deploys to 9.5m/31 ft length for reaching difficult places.
• Quickee Ducting Fan-specific ducting for Quickee available in 12-inch and 16-inch diameters. Deploys to 9.5m/31 ft length for reaching difficult places.
• Commando Wheel Kit Optional wheel kit for Commando with folding design. Handle lifts and locks, wheels have foot press to quickly open/close. Adds only 2 3/8 inch thickness and weighs 5kg/11 lbs.
• Quickee Xtendo Wheel Kit Optional wheel kit for Quickee Xtendo that expands in and out. Keeps fan light and ultra compact while adding only 4 lbs weight and minimal thickness.
• BH-20 Retrofit Kit Battery and BMS upgrade kit for BH-20 that increases original 35+ minute runtime to 45-50 minutes. Includes new battery tray that slips into existing battery space.

Quantifiable outcome

• High-Flow Jet increases airstream volume by nearly 125%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• RAMFAN (Euramco Group): Euramco's RAMFAN line is a direct competitor offering battery-powered and electric PPV fans for firefighting, confined space, and industrial ventilation, distributed globally through safety equipment channels.
• Tempest Technology: Tempest Technology specializes in ventilation equipment for fire and rescue, including battery-powered PPV fans and smoke blowers, making it a directly comparable specialty ventilation manufacturer.
• Super Vac: Super Ventilator Co. (Super Vac) is one of the most established US manufacturers of positive pressure ventilation fans for fire and industrial applications, with a comparable product range spanning battery, electric, and gasoline-powered PPV fans sold through fire equipment dealers.
• Leader Fans: Leader Fans manufactures high-performance PPV and smoke ejection fans for fire departments and emergency services, with overlapping product positioning to BlowHard's Quickee and Commando lines.

Broad incumbents

• Akron Brass: Akron Brass is a major manufacturer of firefighting equipment including monitors, nozzles, and ventilation products, sold through the same fire service dealer channel as BlowHard — competing for shelf space and budget allocation.
• Holmatro: Holmatro is a global manufacturer of rescue and firefighting equipment (cutting tools, lifting equipment), with growing presence in powered ventilation — addressing the same fire/rescue end customer with broader equipment portfolios.
• Hartzell Air Movement: Hartzell is a long-established industrial and commercial fan and blower manufacturer with a much broader portfolio, including fire/rescue ventilation products — serving as a larger incumbent in the same general category.
• Ziamatic Corp: Ziamatic (Zico) supplies equipment and accessories for fire apparatus, including compartment equipment and tools — adjacent in the fire service supply ecosystem and reaching the same municipal buyer through similar channels.

Others

• DeWalt (Stanley Black & Decker): DeWalt provides the swappable battery platform (FlexVolt/60V) used by BlowHard's Hottee fan — an enabling ecosystem partner that could also become a competitor if DeWalt launches its own PPV fan line.
• Milwaukee Tool: Milwaukee Tool provides the M18 swappable battery ecosystem compatible with the Hottee fan; a dominant brand in fire service cordless tools and a potential direct competitor if it expands into PPV fans.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BlowHardFans
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlowHardFans
• Instagraminstagram.com/blowhardfans
• Xx.com/blowhardfans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blowhard-fans

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 BlowHard Fans