Behrmann Company

What Behrmann Company does

Behrmann Company is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1952 and headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The company acts as an intermediary between more than 50 commercial HVAC equipment manufacturers and end-buyers in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois, earning commissions on the sale of boilers, pumps, chillers, air handlers, steam generators, geothermal systems, and related controls and accessories. It is the only manufacturer's representative in its territory that carries both heating and cooling equipment, a position it formalized with the December 2012 acquisition of Engineered Thermal Systems.

The firm operates on a relationship-driven, sales-engineer-led model. Its sales engineers — most holding mechanical-engineering degrees and several with prior experience at represented principals — provide application engineering, project management, system startup, owner training, and warranty service, supported by an in-house parts department offering 24/7 emergency coverage. Customers are mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, universities, hospitals, building owners, and industrial buyers; pricing is quote-based, and the company accepts credit cards with a 2.5% pass-through fee. Customer-facing activity is reinforced by a training center at the Saint Louis headquarters, product-forum events, and a professional website and social presence.

Ownership transitioned from founder Raymond A. Behrmann to his sons Don and Tom in 1979, and then to Walt Steiner in April 2010; the company has been under Steiner's leadership since. The firm employs a team of roughly 10-30 people spanning sales engineering, product support, supply chain, and finance, and reports no public funding, institutional investors, or external capital events. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and growth signals are confined to incremental sales-engineer hiring and the 2012 ETS integration.

Name

Behrmann Company

Legal name

Behrmann Company

Website

https://behrmanncompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Behrmann Company is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1952 in Saint Louis, Missouri, earning commissions on commercial HVAC equipment from 50+ manufacturers for mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, universities, hospitals, and industrial buyers across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial HVAC Equipment Distribution

NAICS

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

SIC

Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Commercial HVAC distribution
• HVAC manufacturer representation
• Mechanical equipment sales
• HVAC application engineering
• Commercial heating ventilation

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Manufacturer's Representative Sales Commission: Behrmann Company operates as a manufacturer's representative earning commissions on equipment sales. They represent over 50 leading manufacturers of commercial HVAC equipment including boilers, pumps, chillers, air handlers, and accessories. Revenue is generated through commissions on sales to contractors, engineers, and institutions in their territory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Behrmann Company is a manufacturer's representative agency that sells commercial HVAC equipment on behalf of multiple manufacturers to mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, institutions, and industrial customers in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. The firm earns commissions on equipment sales and provides value-added services including application engineering, equipment selection, startup services, warranty service, 24/7 parts support, and training programs. Behrmann is independently owned and represents more than 50 manufacturer brands across heating, cooling, and ventilation product categories.

Product overview

Behrmann Company is a manufacturer's representative (sales agency) for commercial HVAC equipment, not a product manufacturer. The company serves as an intermediary between equipment manufacturers and mechanical contractors, engineers, and institutions in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Their portfolio includes products from over 25 represented manufacturers, offering a comprehensive range of HVAC equipment including boilers (Burnham Commercial, Lochinvar, Rite), steam generators (Certuss), chillers (ICS Chillers), pumps (Leo Pumps), air handlers, heating and cooling equipment (GeoComfort, Armstrong, AirFlow Equipment), and related components and controls (Eaton, Macon Controls, Chromalox). The company provides technical expertise, application engineering, product support, and startup services for the equipment they represent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial HVAC Equipment Sales Representation Sales representation service for commercial HVAC equipment on behalf of more than 50 manufacturers, selling to mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, institutions, and industrial customers in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Revenue is earned through commissions on equipment sales.
• Application Engineering Technical engineering support provided by Behrmann's application engineers to assist mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, and customers in selecting and specifying the right commercial HVAC equipment for their projects. This service combines manufacturer-specific product knowledge with system integration expertise.
• Equipment Selection and Quotation Service to help customers identify the right HVAC equipment for their specific requirements, with itemized quotes based on customer specifications. Behrmann's independence allows it to recommend best-fit equipment from more than 50 manufacturers rather than being tied to a single brand.
• Startup Services Post-sale startup service for commercial HVAC equipment, ensuring that newly installed systems are properly commissioned and brought online. Provided by Behrmann's technical team to support mechanical contractors and end customers.
• Warranty Service Warranty service for commercial HVAC equipment sold through Behrmann, performed by factory-trained service technicians. This service supports customers by addressing covered equipment issues during the warranty period.
• 24/7 Parts Support Round-the-clock parts identification and ordering service for commercial HVAC equipment, supporting mechanical contractors and end customers in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois with urgent parts needs for installed equipment.
• Training Programs Training programs offered to customers and partners on commercial HVAC equipment and systems, supporting ongoing education and product knowledge. Training is offered as both continuing education and refreshers on existing products.

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Engineered Thermal Systems (ETS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2012In December 2012, Behrmann Company acquired Engineered Thermal Systems (ETS). This acquisition expanded their product array to include chillers, humidifiers, and other chilled water and air side product lines formerly represented by ETS, making them a more comprehensive HVAC solutions provider in the St. Louis market.
• AirFlow EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirFlow Equipment is one of the manufacturers represented by Behrmann Company for commercial HVAC equipment including air handlers and related products.
• Armstrong InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArmstrong International is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, specializing in steam and hydronic heating equipment.
• Burnham Commercial BoilerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBurnham Commercial Boilers is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, specializing in commercial boiler systems.
• Certuss Steam GeneratorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertuss Steam Generators (Certuss America) is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for steam generation equipment.
• Chil-PakminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChil-Pak is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for cooling equipment solutions.
• ChromaloxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChromalox is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, specializing in electric heating solutions.
• CoilmasterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoilmaster is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for coil products.
• EatonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEaton is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, providing various HVAC components.
• First Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst Co. is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC equipment.
• GeoComfortminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeoComfort is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for geothermal HVAC solutions.
• ICS ChillerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorICS Chillers is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, providing chiller equipment. This product line was added through the 2012 acquisition of Engineered Thermal Systems (ETS).
• Industrial CombustionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial Combustion is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for combustion equipment.
• Leo PumpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeo Pumps is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for pumping equipment.
• LochinvarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLochinvar is a major manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, specializing in commercial and residential boilers and water heaters. A former sales manager at Behrmann Company previously worked at Lochinvar for over 20 years.
• NovelaireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNovelaire is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC equipment.
• PRO Hydronics SpecialtiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRO Hydronics Specialties is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for hydronic system components.
• Rapid EngineeringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRapid Engineering is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC equipment.
• ReznorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReznor is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company, specializing in HVAC equipment and systems.
• Rite BoilerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRite Boiler is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for boiler equipment.
• CCSolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCCSolutions (Composite Cooling Solutions) is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for cooling solutions.
• Cain IndustriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCain Industries is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for industrial equipment.
• Canariis CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanariis Corporation is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company.
• Macon ControlsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMacon Controls is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC control products.
• Reco USAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReco USA is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC equipment.
• ReymsaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReymsa is a manufacturer represented by Behrmann Company for HVAC equipment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Habegger Company: Midwest-based HVAC manufacturer's representative with a similar systems-expertise positioning. Comparable in size, business model, and target customer base (mechanical contractors, engineers, institutions), and represents many of the same boiler and hydronic equipment lines.
• R.L. Deppmann Company: Michigan-based manufacturer's representative for commercial HVAC and hydronic equipment. Directly comparable in business model, commission structure, and customer segments (mechanical contractors and consulting engineers) to Behrmann.
• The KIRLIN Company: Midwest HVAC manufacturer's representative with a similar focus on commercial boilers, hydronic systems, and engineered HVAC solutions. Comparable in line-card breadth and institutional customer mix.
• John W. McDougall Co. Regional HVAC manufacturer's representative with a long operating history and similar systems-expertise positioning. Comparable in target customers (contractors, engineers, institutions) and product categories represented.
• McMillan Sales Associates: Southeast U.S. HVAC manufacturer's representative firm with a comparable multi-line approach and contractor/engineer customer base. Operates with the same sales-engineer-led, commission-based model.

Broad incumbents

• Carrier Enterprise: HVAC distributor serving the residential and light commercial market with strong ties to Carrier brand equipment. Overlaps with Behrmann in serving contractors in select geographies and on certain product categories.
• Ferguson Enterprises: One of the largest U.S. distributors of plumbing, HVAC, and related products. While not a manufacturer's rep, Ferguson overlaps with Behrmann in serving mechanical contractors and competes for institutional HVAC specification influence at a much larger scale.
• Watsco: Largest U.S. HVAC distributor (publicly traded, NYSE: WSO). Indirect peer: while Watsco is a stockist/distributor rather than a commission rep, both serve the same contractor and institutional customer base for commercial HVAC equipment and compete for specification influence.

Others

• Comfort Systems USA: Large publicly traded national mechanical contractor that purchases commercial HVAC equipment. Functions as a customer of Behrmann (rather than a true peer), but a useful comparison for the downstream end market Behrmann serves.
• Bell & Gossett (Xylem brand): Major brand of pumps and hydronic equipment now owned by Xylem. Not a peer in business model, but Behrmann may compete against or alongside B&G-employed specification teams in the hydronic systems market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/behrmanncompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/behrmann-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 Behrmann Company