CaptiveAire Systems

CaptiveAire Systems is the largest privately held manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems in the US and an emerging manufacturer of HVAC equipment.[1] The company, founded by Robert L. Luddy in 1976, is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its inception, the company has expanded from fire suppression to a wide array of products including exhaust, pollution control, fire suppression and prevention, HVAC, and utility distribution. In 2018, CaptiveAire brought in over $500 million in revenue.[2]

CaptiveAire Systems, Inc.
TypePrivate
Founded1976
FounderRobert Luddy
Headquarters
Raleigh, North Carolina
,
United States
Area served
North America
Products
Websitecaptiveaire.com

History

In November 1976, Luddy started Atlantic Fire Systems, which sold automatic dry chemical fire systems to restaurants and industry. Sales for the first full year in business reached $297,000. Luddy developed a relationship with James Maynard and Bill Carl, co-founders of the Golden Corral restaurant chain which started in nearby Fayetteville. Golden Corral became an important customer and its growth helped to propel the growth of Atlantic Fire. In 1978, Ben Maynard, James’ father, suggested to Luddy that he open a sheet metal shop to manufacture ventilation hoods and integrate the fire system. Sales reached one million in 1979. In 1981, a separate company was formed for the ventilation business with the name “CaptiveAire". The company has continued to expand, acquiring several ventilation companies in order to expand its product line. In 2017, CaptiveAire entered the HVAC market with the release of a dedicated outdoor air system.[3]

Company and products

CaptiveAire has over 1,300 employees in its network of over one hundred sales offices in the U.S. and Canada and six manufacturing plants located in North Carolina, Iowa, Oklahoma, California, Pennsylvania, and Florida.[2] The company’s clients, made up of independent restaurants and national chains, include many well-recognized names in the national food industry. The company also services public and private institutions such as industrial, correctional, military, and school facilities.

CaptiveAire’s integrated ventilation packages include hoods, exhaust fans, electrical controls, direct-fired heaters, grease duct systems, fire suppression systems, grease filters, utility distribution systems, dedicated outdoor air systems, and internet based control systems.

A commercial kitchen with a CaptiveAire exhaust hood, makeup air return plenum, and utility distribution system.

Community and awards
  • One of the top 500 fastest growing private companies in America, INC. magazine [4]
  • Voted "Best in Class" for ventilation systems by industry dealers and consultants (eight times), Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine
  • Voted "Best in Class Overall" for ventilation systems 2013, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine][5]
  • One of the 100 largest private companies in North Carolina, Business North Carolina magazine
  • One of the top 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle area, Triangle Business Journal[6]

References
  1. "CaptiveAire to double size of Bedford plant". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  2. Epstein, Jim (25 January 2019). "Private College for $11,000 a Year? Libertarian Businessman Creates an Alternative to Higher Ed Waste". Reason. Reason Foundation. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. Luddy, Robert (2018). Entrepreneurial life: the path from startup to market leader. ISBN 0989498921.
  4. "One of the top 500 fastest growing private companies in America".
  5. "Voted "Best in Class Overall 2013" for ventilation systems". Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  6. "Top 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle".
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