dealers

What dealers does

Dealers LP Equipment Company is a wholesale distributor dedicated exclusively to the LP (liquefied petroleum/propane) gas and adjacent heating equipment market. Founded in 1986 and operating as an affiliate of R.E. Michel Company, LLC (domiciled in Maryland), the company serves gas-industry trade professionals across a 20-state service territory from a main distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee, with branch locations in Dothan AL, Davenport IA, Louisville KY, Jackson MS, and Hickory NC. The customer base is composed primarily of small and mid-sized mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, and boiler contractors; oil and gas heating service companies; industrial and manufacturing buyers; property management firms; and government agencies. Overnight delivery to most served states is the core service promise.

The company's product portfolio spans 50+ categories — adapters and fittings, valves and regulators, cylinders and tanks, pumps and meters, CSST tubing, heating and water-heating equipment (Rinnai, Bradford White), generators (Generac), hearth products (Empire Comfort Systems), bulk plant and bobtail equipment, safety gear, and remote tank monitoring — sourced from premier manufacturers (RegO, Manchester Tank, Empire, Rinnai, Generac, Marshall Excelsior). Proprietary technology is limited but includes the ESP (Exclusive Supplier Partnership) inventory management program with Customer Link software (launched 1991), which gives participating customers direct, real-time access to Dealers' inventory, pricing, and ordering. Supporting infrastructure includes EDI for B2B ordering, an online catalog and web ordering system, online invoice search, and digital catalogs hosted via mydigitalpublication.com.

Dealers LP makes money primarily through wholesale hardware sales to trade accounts, with open-account credit terms of Net 10th Prox and a 1.5% per month (18% APR) service charge on delinquent balances, plus ancillary revenue from late-payment/finance charges and customer loyalty programs (REM Rewards, Travel Incentive). Go-to-market is sales-led with a field branch network and truck delivery on scheduled routes, supplemented by digital self-serve ordering. Marketing is multi-channel — website, MailChimp email, four social platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram), co-op advertising support for customers, customer service schools, and incentive travel programs. The company does not disclose pricing, revenue, or headcount publicly.

Name

dealers

Legal name

R.E. Michel Company, LLC

Website

https://dealerslp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Dealers LP Equipment is a wholesale distributor of LP gas, propane, and heating equipment serving mechanical contractors, HVAC installers, industrial buyers, and government agencies across a 20-state U.S. territory from its Memphis, TN distribution center and five regional branches, operating as an affiliate of R.E. Michel Company, LLC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale HVAC & LP Gas Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4237)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Propane equipment wholesale
• LP gas distribution
• HVAC wholesale supply
• Gas heating products
• Wholesale distribution services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Burnie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Revenue generated through wholesale distribution of gas equipment, HVAC products, propane/LP gas equipment, and related accessories to trade professionals. The company serves as a distributor between manufacturers and installers/service technicians.
2. Credit/Account Services: Open account privileges extended to qualified customers with Net 10th Prox payment terms (payment due 10th of month following invoice). Service/finance charges of 1.5% per month (18% APR) on delinquent balances.
3. Incentive Programs: Programs including REM Rewards online rewards program and travel incentive programs for customers, which drive customer loyalty and purchasing volume.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dealers LP Equipment Company is a wholesale distributor dedicated solely to LP gas, propane, heating, and HVAC equipment, serving gas industry professionals through a network of branches across a 20-state U.S. service area. The company distributes products from major manufacturers including Bradford White, Rinnai, RegO Products, Empire Comfort Systems, Generac, and Manchester Tank across over 50 product categories. Beyond physical product distribution, the company offers value-added services including EDI capability, the ESP (Exclusive Supplier Partnership) inventory management program with Customer Link software, online catalog and web ordering, REM Rewards loyalty program, and customer training schools.

Product overview

Dealers LP Equipment Company is a wholesale distributor dedicated solely to the LP (liquefied petroleum/propane) gas industry, serving a 20-state area from Memphis, Tennessee with additional branches in Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The company offers an extensive product portfolio spanning over 50 product categories including cylinders, tanks, valves, regulators, fittings, heating equipment, water heaters, generators, hearth products, grills, hose and tubing, safety equipment, and specialized equipment for bobtail/transport and bulk plant operations. The company distributes products from major manufacturers including Bradford White, Rinnai, RegO Products, Empire Comfort Systems, Generac, Manchester Tank, and others. Beyond product distribution, the company offers value-added services including EDI capability for B2B ordering integration, an ESP (Exclusive Supplier Partnership) inventory management program using Customer Link software, an online catalog and web ordering system, REM Rewards incentive program, Incentive Travel Program, and Energy Rebates programs. The company also operates an outlet section for discounted and overstock items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adapters, Connectors and Couplings Connector products including ACME Adapters, ACME Connectors, ACME Couplings, POL Adapters, Unloading Adapters, Chek-Lok Adapters, Manifold Tees, Strainers, and Braided Stainless Steel Flex Connectors for LP gas applications, distributed to gas industry trade customers.
• Cylinders and Tanks LP gas cylinders and tanks including DOT cylinders, ASME horizontal and vertical tanks, and forklift cylinders from Manchester Tank & Equipment Company and Quality Steel Corporation, supplied to gas industry professionals.
• Heating Equipment Heating equipment including agricultural heaters, boilers, construction heaters, direct vent heaters, infrared heaters, portable heaters, unit heaters, vent-free heaters, and vented heaters from Empire Comfort Systems, Enerco, L.B. White, Reznor LLC, and Rinnai.
• Water Heaters Water heaters including Bradford White commercial and residential units and Rinnai tankless and tanked water heaters with various BTU capacities, distributed to plumbing and HVAC trade customers.
• Regulators and Accessories Gas pressure regulators including first stage, second stage, twin stage, 2 PSI, line regulators, auto changeover, pounds-to-pounds, and appliance regulators from RegO Products, Marshall Excelsior Co, Maxitrol Company, and others.
• Valves Comprehensive valve products including ASME valves, ball valves, globe valves, excess flow valves, filler valves, internal valves, emergency shut-off valves, and relief valves from RegO Products, Manchester Tank, and other manufacturers.
• Bulk Plant Equipment Bulk propane plant equipment including pumps, valves, and accessories from Blackmer, Corken Inc, and RegO Products, used by industrial and bulk propane operations.
• Generators and Accessories Generators and accessories from Generac Power Systems Inc including residential and commercial generators with various power capacities and accessories.
• Hearth Products Hearth products including fireplaces, log sets, burners, and accessories from Empire Comfort Systems and RH Peterson Co for residential and commercial heating applications.
• ESP (Exclusive Supplier Partnership) Inventory Management Program Inventory management program providing customers direct access to Dealers LP Equipment inventories via exclusive Customer Link software to check availability, pricing, and place orders in real time. Designed to eliminate duplication of efforts between the distributor and dealers in maintaining working inventories.
• Incentive Travel Program Travel incentive program for customers including international destinations (e.g., Fiesta Vallarta) with full travel arrangements, baggage handling, gratuities, meals, and special events, provided to drive customer loyalty and purchasing volume.
• Energy Rebates Program Vendor rebate program providing customers with energy-related rebates on eligible purchases, helping reduce total acquisition cost for qualifying energy-efficient equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Overnight delivery service to majority of served states
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Empire Comfort SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured supplier brand on Dealers LP Equipment website. Empire Comfort Systems is described as 'a family company since 1932' that has 'built a tradition of excellence' manufacturing gas-fired zone heating systems, American-made fireplaces, hearth products, and Broilmaster grills.
• RegO ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured supplier brand, with RegO LP gas and NH3 anhydrous ammonia products manufactured to exacting standards in the USA with 100% testing and a 10-Year Limited Warranty. RegO is a major supplier of regulators, valves, and gas equipment.
• RinnaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured supplier brand, with Rinnai's 100 years of superior engineering delivering the best water heating and home heating solutions. Rinnai is noted as the #1 selling tankless water heating brand in the U.S. and Canada.
• Bradford WhitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor supplier of water heaters including commercial and residential water heaters. One of the primary water heater brands distributed through Dealers LP Equipment catalog.
• Manchester Tank & Equipment CompanymajorTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of propane cylinders, tanks, and related equipment including forklift cylinders, bobtail equipment, and bulk plant components.
• Schwartz DistributingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as an affiliate company, indicating a distribution or partnership relationship within the R.E. Michel Company network.
• R.E. Michel CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParent/affiliate company and major distribution partner. The R.E. Michel Company website and branding is used across Dealers LP Equipment communications, and the company is listed as an affiliate with cross-referenced resources and catalogs.
• Generac Power Systems IncmajorTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of generators and generator accessories, providing backup power solutions through Dealers LP Equipment distribution network.
• TSYSmajorTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing merchant responsible for processing credit card transactions. TSYS is responsible for abiding by PCI security standards for handling payment information.
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a financial link resource for customers, providing access to wealth of information and additional links of interest to businesses.
• National Association of Credit Management (NACM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a financial link resource for customers, providing credit management information and industry resources.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ferguson: Ferguson is a large wholesale distributor serving professional customers with plumbing, HVAC, waterworks, and related equipment. Its broad portfolio and contractor-focused distribution model make it a relevant incumbent benchmark for Dealers LP's trade distribution operations.
• Hajoca Corporation: Hajoca is a national wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and related supplies to professional contractors. Its product breadth, branch network, and trade-counter fulfillment are comparable to Dealers LP's regional equipment distribution.
• Watsco: Watsco is a large HVAC distribution company serving contractors through an extensive network of distribution businesses. Although broader and more diversified, it provides a relevant public benchmark for Dealers LP's contractor distribution and replacement-parts activity.
• MRC Global: MRC Global is an industrial distributor of pipe, valves, fittings, and related equipment, including products used in energy and gas infrastructure. Its industrial product breadth and project-oriented distribution provide a relevant adjacent benchmark.

Direct peers

• WinSupply: WinSupply operates a decentralized wholesale distribution network spanning HVAC, plumbing, and other trade products. Its local-company structure and contractor customer base closely resemble Dealers LP's branch-based wholesale model.
• Johnstone Supply: Johnstone Supply is a wholesale distributor of HVAC and refrigeration equipment, parts, and supplies to contractors and service professionals. It directly overlaps with Dealers LP's HVAC, refrigeration, controls, and replacement-parts offering.
• Baker Distributing Company: Baker Distributing Company wholesales HVAC and refrigeration products, equipment, parts, and supplies to professional customers. Its product mix and contractor distribution model directly overlap with Dealers LP's HVACR trade business.
• Airgas: Airgas distributes packaged gases, gas-handling equipment, safety products, and related supplies to industrial and commercial customers. Its gas-equipment and safety-product assortment serves a customer base closely related to Dealers LP's propane and industrial gas professionals.
• United Refrigeration: United Refrigeration is a wholesale distributor of HVACR equipment, controls, parts, and supplies. Its refrigeration-service focus, replacement inventory, and contractor customers make it a direct product and business-model peer.
• Heritage Distribution: Heritage Distribution wholesales HVAC and refrigeration equipment, parts, and supplies to contractors and service professionals. Its branch-based HVACR distribution model is closely comparable to Dealers LP's regional trade network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/remichel_hvac
• Facebookfacebook.com/remichel01
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dealers-lp-equipment
• Instagraminstagram.com/r.e.michelcompany

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 dealers