Somes-Nick & Company

What Somes-Nick & Company does

Somes-Nick & Company is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1952 by Jack Somes and Gus Nick, headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The firm acts as the regional sales, application engineering, and post-sale support arm for 16+ leading industrial equipment manufacturers across the Midwest United States, covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and portions of Ohio and Nebraska. Rather than manufacturing products, Somes-Nick generates revenue through manufacturer commissions on the sale and specification of steam turbines (Siemens Energy up to 100 MW, including Dresser-Rand heritage brands), combined heat and power systems (2G Energy 50–4,500 kW), packaged boilers (Hurst, 6–4,500 hp), heat recovery steam generators (Vogt Power), cooling towers (Evaptech), valves and regulators (Spence, Kunkle, Cash Valve, RTK, Schroedahl), filtration (Evoqua), mist eliminators (Koch-Glitsch), pumps (Sterling), and ancillary boiler room equipment.

The firm's competitive position rests on a curated line card and a sales force composed predominantly of degreed mechanical engineers with an average of over 20 years of application engineering experience. This technical depth enables proper equipment specification across complex steam systems—pressure reducing valves, steam traps, deaerators, heat exchangers, and boiler feedwater systems—where incorrect sizing or application can produce significant operational and energy efficiency penalties for end customers. Somes-Nick serves enterprise industrial customers in oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, packaging, and plastics, providing equipment selection, pricing and lead-time coordination, and system repair and upgrade support. The firm supplements its field-sales motion with a content-driven resource library of technical articles and videos on steam system topics and periodic trade show participation. Ownership remains with the founding Nick family into the third generation, with no institutional investment or parent company affiliation.

Name

Somes-Nick & Company

Legal name

Somes-Nick & Company

Website

https://somes-nick.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Somes-Nick & Company is a privately held manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1952, representing 16+ industrial equipment manufacturers across the Midwest US in steam turbines, CHP systems, boilers, valves, and ancillary boiler room equipment for enterprise industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Manufacturer's Representative Commissions: Somes-Nick operates as an independent manufacturer's representative firm, earning commissions from the manufacturers they represent. The company does not manufacture products but acts as the sales and technical application arm for leading equipment manufacturers in the steam systems industry, covering specified geographic territories.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Somes-Nick & Company is a manufacturer's representative firm selling industrial steam system products and providing engineering support to industrial and institutional customers across the Midwest United States. The company represents more than 16 manufacturers of steam traps, pressure relief valves, level controls, boilers, feedwater equipment, heat tracing, valves, and related process equipment. It supplements product sales with engineering sizing, technical training, spare parts, and field service.

Product overview

Somes-Nick & Company is a manufacturer's representative firm founded in 1952, headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL, representing leading manufacturers of industrial steam, power generation, and boiler room equipment. Rather than a single unified software product, the company offers a curated portfolio of 17+ manufacturer lines spanning steam turbines (Siemens-Energy up to 100 MW), combined heat and power systems (2G Energy 50–4,500 kW), heat recovery steam generators (Vogt), cooling towers (Evaptech), boiler room equipment (Hurst packaged boilers 6–4,500 hp), valves and regulators (Spence, Kunkle, Cash Valve, RTK, Schroedahl), mist eliminators (Koch), pumps and strainers (Sterling), water heaters and control valves (Armstrong/Leslie), filtration (Evoqua), burners (Sellers), portable ventilators (Coppus), heat exchange equipment (Thermal Engineering/TEI), and industrial stacks/dampers (Fox Equipment). The portfolio also includes the NFT250 Series Float & Thermostatic Steam Trap as a specific branded product, along with Hurst biomass boiler systems and boiler room peripherals as sub-products. The company does not manufacture its own products; it acts as a regional sales, application engineering, and post-sale support representative covering the Midwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Watson McDaniel Pressure Relief Valves (Pilot Operated) Pilot operated pressure relief valves manufactured by Watson McDaniel, represented by Somes-Nick & Company for steam system applications in chemical, petrochemical, refining, food processing, pharmaceutical, and utility facilities across the Midwest US.
• Steam Traps and Steam Trap Sizing Services Industrial steam traps sold and supported through manufacturer representation, including sizing calculation guidance for industrial and institutional steam customers across the Midwest US.
• Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) Sizing Software and Services Sizing software and engineering services used to size pressure relief valves for steam systems, supporting customers in selecting appropriately rated PRVs for their steam applications.
• Gestra Level Controls and Valves Gestra level controls and valves represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial steam boiler and process applications in Midwest US facilities.
• Clark-Reliance Steam System Products Steam system products from Clark-Reliance represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial customers across the Midwest US.
• CCI Thermal Technologies Heat Tracing Heat tracing products from CCI Thermal Technologies represented by Somes-Nick & Company for steam and process piping applications across the Midwest US.
• Thermon Heat Tracing Solutions Heat tracing solutions from Thermon represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial steam and process applications across the Midwest US.
• ASCO Valves ASCO solenoid and process valves represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial steam system and process control applications in the Midwest US.
• GK-Specialist Products GK-specialist steam and process products represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial customers in the Midwest US.
• Haws Emergency Eyewash and Safety Equipment Haws emergency eyewash and safety equipment represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial and institutional facilities across the Midwest US.
• Hermann Products Hermann steam and process products represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial customers across the Midwest US.
• Nelson Heat Tracing Products Nelson heat tracing products represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial and institutional steam applications across the Midwest US.
• Strahman Industrial Washdown Equipment Strahman industrial washdown equipment represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial facilities across the Midwest US.
• Sivyer Steel Castings Sivyer Steel castings represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial applications across the Midwest US.
• Curtiss-Wright Engineered Pumps Curtiss-Wright engineered pumps represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial process and boiler feed applications across the Midwest US.
• Carrier Heat Exchangers Carrier heat exchangers represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial and institutional steam and process applications across the Midwest US.
• Patterson-Kelley Boilers and Process Equipment Patterson-Kelley boilers and process equipment represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial, institutional, and utility customers across the Midwest US.
• Hurst Boilers Hurst boilers represented by Somes-Nick & Company for industrial and institutional steam generation applications across the Midwest US.
• Boiler Feedwater Treatment Products Boiler feedwater treatment products and related engineering support provided through the firm's manufacturer representation relationships for industrial and institutional steam customers across the Midwest US.
• Spare Parts and Field Service for Steam Systems Spare parts supply and field engineering service for steam system equipment, provided to existing manufacturer-line customers across the Midwest US territory.
• Technical Training Seminars and Educational Events Technical training seminars and educational events covering steam system topics for industrial, institutional, and utility customers in the Midwest US.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• Siemens EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSomes-Nick represents Siemens Energy steam turbines including single and multi-stage turbines up to 100 MW, steam turbine generators, and provides OEM parts/service for Dresser-Rand heritage brands including Coppus, Murray, Terry, Worthington, Turbodyne, Moore, and Carling. Territory: Illinois, Central and Northern Indiana, Michigan (excluding UP), Eastern and Central Iowa, Eastern Missouri.
• 2G EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents 2G Energy modular engine-driven combined heat & power (CHP) packages ranging from 50-4,500KW output with fuel types including Biogas, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, and LNG. Territory: Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri.
• Spence EngineeringcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Spence pressure reducing valves (pilot and direct operated), pressure and temperature regulators, back pressure regulators, control valves, steam desuperheaters, condensate pumps, safety/relief valves, steam traps, and steam separators. One of the original manufacturers brought in 1961. Territory: Central and Northern Illinois, Central and Northern Indiana, Iowa, Eastern Nebraska.
• Kunkle ValvecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Kunkle safety and relief valves for steam, air, liquid, and gas service. One of the original manufacturers brought in 1961. Territory: Central and Northern Illinois, Central and Northern Indiana.
• Hurst Boiler & Welding CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Hurst Scotch Marine, Firebox, and Vertical boilers; modified scotch marine boilers; skid packed boiler systems; and boiler room ancillary equipment. Hurst has been represented since the company's founding era. Territory: Northern Illinois, NW Indiana.
• Vogt Power InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents custom-designed heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) for combustion turbines >25 MW, including 1-3 pressure configurations with/without reheat, SCR and CO systems, stack dampers, and complete OEM parts/service. Territory: Southern Wisconsin, Michigan Lower Peninsula, Eastern Iowa, Northern half of Illinois, Northern half of Indiana.
• Sellers ManufacturingstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Sellers boilers and burners for industrial steam applications.
• Sterling (Sterlco)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Sterling condensate pumps, boiler feed pumps, centrifugal pumps, strainers, temperature control valves, and hand radiator valves.
• Cash ValvestandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Cash Valve pressure reducing regulators. Territory: Illinois and northern & central Indiana.
• Koch-GlitschstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents wire mesh, vane type, and fiberbed mist eliminators, plus liquid-liquid coalescers for process applications. Territory: Central and Northern Illinois, Central and Northern Indiana, Eastern Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, NW Ohio.
• EvaptechstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents field erected cooling towers including counterflow and crossflow towers, plus fan, gear, parts replacements, inspections and field service. Territory: All of Illinois, Northern Indy, Southern Wisconsin.
• Thermal Engineering International (TEI)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents feedwater heaters, surface condensers, moisture separator reheaters (MSRs), heat exchangers, and engineering/field services. Territory: Northern Indiana and Northern Illinois.
• RTK (Circor)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents RTK pneumatic and electric control valves, mixing valves, and boiler blowdown valves.
• Evoqua Filtration SolutionsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents high-efficiency microsand filters, automatic self-cleaning screen filters, cooling tower basin sweeper systems, and reverse osmosis pre-treatment.
• Schroedahl (Circor)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents automatic recirculation pump protection valves and desuperheaters.
• Armstrong InternationalstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Armstrong control valves and water heaters for HVAC and industrial applications.
• Coppus Portable VentilatorsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents portable ventilators (electric, steam, water, and compressed air powered) for industrial ventilation. Territory: Central and Northern Illinois, Central and Northern Indiana, Eastern Iowa.
• Fox EquipmentstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents stacks, dampers/louvers, expansion joints, and noise control equipment. Territory: Illinois, Wisconsin, Northwest Indiana, and Michigan.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• W.W. Grainger: Large industrial MRO distributor serving the same Midwest industrial customer base as Somes-Nick with a much broader catalog and digital channels — represents a structural threat on commoditized ancillaries and basic valves.
• Carrier Global: Global HVAC and industrial process equipment manufacturer with adjacency to Somes-Nick's HVAC, steam-system, and process-heating portfolios across Midwest end customers.
• Trane Technologies: Global HVAC and building-systems manufacturer with overlapping reach into commercial/industrial steam and hot-water applications served by Somes-Nick's HVAC segment.
• Bell & Gossett: Xylem brand manufacturing pumps, heat exchangers, and hydronic/steam system equipment widely specified in the same commercial and industrial applications Somes-Nick serves.
• Watts Water Technologies: Diversified manufacturer of valves, flow control, and water-heating products that overlaps significantly with Somes-Nick's valve and pressure-regulation portfolio across commercial and industrial customers.
• Mueller Industries: Manufacturer of copper/brass products, valves, and industrial fittings with overlap to Somes-Nick's plumbing, heating, and steam-system accessory categories.
• Spirax-Sarco: Global steam-specialty manufacturer (steam traps, valves, controls) that competes with several Somes-Nick principals (Spence, Kunkle, Sterling). A senior sales engineer on Somes-Nick's team previously worked at Spirax-Sarco, underscoring direct competitive overlap.
• Cleaver-Brooks: Major manufacturer of packaged boilers, burners, and boiler-room systems — a principal whose products are represented by Somes-Nick's portfolio and a broader incumbent whose distribution overlaps with Somes-Nick's customer base.
• Armstrong International: Manufacturer of steam traps, control valves, and hot-water systems — both a Somes-Nick principal in the HVAC/process portfolio and a broader incumbent competing for end-customer wallet share in steam system optimization.

Direct peers

• R.F. MacDonald Co. Independent industrial manufacturer's representative specializing in boilers, heat exchangers, and steam/process equipment across the Western U.S. — directly analogous business model to Somes-Nick in a complementary territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Somes-Nick & Company