WAECO
WAECO, a 50-year-old brand within the Dometic portfolio, manufactures portable and built-in coolers, refrigerators, and rooftop air conditioners for recreational vehicles, boats, trucks, and outdoor users, distributed through an authorized dealer network spanning approximately 100 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersTidaholm, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What WAECO does
WAECO, founded in 1974 in northern Germany by brothers Theo and Peter Wähning, is a brand specializing in portable and built-in cooling and climate-control products for mobile applications. Its portfolio comprises three core categories: portable compressor coolers (WCC series ranging from 19L to 78L with dual-zone capability), built-in compressor refrigerators (WCR series from 44L to 153L using low-GWP R600A refrigerant), and rooftop air conditioners (WAC series at 2200W and 2600W cooling capacities). The company's underlying technology stack spans compressor cooling, absorption refrigeration, and thermoelectric cooling, with proprietary features including a 3-stage battery protection system, dual-mode (Performance/Quiet) operation, and dual independent temperature zones. WAECO also markets supporting accessories such as mains adapters and air distribution boxes.
WAECO operates as a brand within the Dometic portfolio and is headquartered at Östra Ringvägen 2, Tidaholm, Sweden (organization number 556528-1093), under Managing Director Kester Petersson. Its business model is hardware product sales, executed primarily through an authorized dealer network spanning approximately 100 countries, supplemented by direct e-commerce and language-specific websites in six languages (German, English, French, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch). End-customer segments are horizontal: recreational vehicle owners, outdoor/camping enthusiasts, boat owners, and professional truck drivers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set by individual dealers within the channel. Manufacturing and assembly leverage Dometic's 25 production locations across 11 countries, providing WAECO with significant scale and supply-chain integration relative to its standalone Swedish footprint. In 2023, WAECO Germany WSE GmbH was established as a separate entity within the group to address the workshop-equipment and vehicle-AC segment, broadening the brand's commercial surface.
WAECO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WAECO
- Legal name
- WAECO
- Website
- https://waeco.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WAECO, a 50-year-old brand within the Dometic portfolio, manufactures portable and built-in coolers, refrigerators, and rooftop air conditioners for recreational vehicles, boats, trucks, and outdoor users, distributed through an authorized dealer network spanning approximately 100 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WAECO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Cooling & Climate Control Equipment
- NAICS
- Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Vehicle Cooling, HVAC & Thermal Management Manufacturing (IMACABAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive HVAC Modules & Integrated Climate Units (IMACALAA), Compressors, Refrigeration Components & Condensing Units (IMADANAG), Marine HVAC, Refrigeration & Ventilation Systems (IMAJAIAE), Automotive Air Distribution & Ventilation Components (Blower Motors/Ducts/Vents/Cabin Filters) (IMACALAF)
Keywords
Where WAECO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tidaholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
WAECO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: WAECO generates revenue through the sale of physical cooling and climate control products including portable coolers, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Products are sold through dealer networks and direct online channels. The company operates as part of the Dometic portfolio.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
WAECO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WAECO manufactures and sells portable compressor coolers (WCC series), built-in compressor refrigerators (WCR series), and rooftop air conditioners (WAC series) for motorhomes, campervans, caravans, boats, and trucks. Products are engineered for 12/24V DC vehicle operation with 3-stage battery protection, dual-mode cooling, and dual-zone temperature control in selected models. The lineup is sold through an authorized dealer network across approximately 100 countries and positioned as a practical, proven, German-engineered choice for travelers on the road and water.
Product overview
WAECO is a brand under the Dometic portfolio offering a comprehensive range of mobile cooling and climate control solutions for recreational vehicles, boats, trucks, and outdoor use. The product portfolio consists of three main categories: compressor cool boxes (WCC series: WCC 18, WCC 32, WCC 40, WCC 60, WCC 80DZ) for portable cooling; compressor refrigerators (WCR series: WCR 50, WCR 60, WCR 80, WCR 150) for built-in installation in vehicles and boats; and rooftop air conditioners (WAC series: WAC 2200, WAC 2600, WAC 2600I, WAC ADBL) for motorhomes, campervans, and caravans. The WPS 90 mains adapter provides accessory connectivity for using compressor coolers with AC power. WAECO positions itself as an uncomplicated, proven, and affordable choice for travelers, emphasizing German innovation and reliability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WAECO WCC 18 Compressor Cooler
Companies that use WAECO
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WAECO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
WAECO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DometiccoreWAECO is part of the Dometic portfolio of companies. In 2023, WAECO Germany WSE GmbH was established as a separate entity within the Dometic group, focused on workshop equipment and vehicle air conditioning. Dometic is a global leader in mobile living conditions, providing WAECO with strategic backing and brand association.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
WAECO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Truma: German RV systems supplier offering RV refrigerators, rooftop air conditioners and heating products. Closely comparable product portfolio to WAECO in the European motorhome and caravan OEM and aftermarket channels.
- ARB: Australian 4x4 accessories specialist whose ARB Fridge Freezer range directly competes with WAECO's portable compressor coolers in the outdoor, overlanding and touring customer base.
- Vitrifrigo: Italian manufacturer of RV and marine refrigerators with built-in compressor units. Competes head-to-head with WAECO's WCR series in the European RV OEM and aftermarket space.
- Engel: Japanese manufacturer of portable compressor coolers and built-in RV refrigeration. Direct product overlap with WAECO's WCC and WCR lines, particularly in the 4x4, marine and overlanding segments.
- Dometic: Parent company and direct competitor in mobile cooling and HVAC. Dometic markets its own overlapping RV refrigerators, rooftop ACs, and portable coolers, putting WAECO and Dometic-branded SKUs head-to-head in the same product categories and dealer channels.
- Isotherm (Indel Webasto Marine): Marine refrigeration specialist producing built-in compressor refrigerators and ice-makers for boats. Overlaps with WAECO's marine cooling offerings and shares the same boat-owner customer segment.
- Yeti Holdings: U.S. outdoor cooler brand with the Tundra and Roadie portable cooler lines. Competes with WAECO's WCC portable coolers in the outdoor enthusiast and overlanding segments, primarily in North America.
Broad incumbents
- LG Electronics: Global HVAC and compressor manufacturer whose components and finished refrigeration products touch adjacent markets. Relevant as a technology and supply-chain reference point for compressor-based cooling at WAECO's scale.
- Webasto: German automotive thermal management supplier with rooftop ACs and parking coolers for trucks and RVs. Broader portfolio than WAECO but directly comparable in vehicle HVAC and truck parking cooling categories.
Regional players
- Dometic WSE (Workshop Equipment): WAECO's 2023 spin-off entity focused on workshop equipment and vehicle air conditioning service tools. Sister entity within the Dometic group with overlapping customer base but distinct B2B service-channel focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WAECO social profiles
Digital presenceWAECO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WAECO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
WAECO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WAECO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WAECO
What does WAECO do?
WAECO manufactures and sells portable compressor coolers (WCC series), built-in compressor refrigerators (WCR series), and rooftop air conditioners (WAC series) for motorhomes, campervans, caravans, boats, and trucks. Products are engineered for 12/24V DC vehicle operation with 3-stage battery protection, dual-mode cooling, and dual-zone temperature control in selected models. The lineup is sold through an authorized dealer network across approximately 100 countries and positioned as a practical, proven, German-engineered choice for travelers on the road and water.
Is WAECO a public or private company?
WAECO is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was WAECO founded?
WAECO was founded in 1974. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WAECO based?
WAECO is headquartered in Tidaholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does WAECO make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Product Sales.
Who are WAECO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Truma, ARB, Vitrifrigo, Engel, Dometic, Isotherm (Indel Webasto Marine) and Yeti Holdings. Broad incumbents are LG Electronics and Webasto. Dometic WSE (Workshop Equipment) is listed as a regional player.
Does WAECO have an API?
No public API is recorded for WAECO.
What industry is WAECO in?
WAECO's product category is Mobile Cooling & Climate Control Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAN, Commercial Vehicle Cooling, HVAC & Thermal Management Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACALAA, Automotive HVAC Modules & Integrated Climate Units. Its NAICS code is 333415 and its SIC code is 3585.