CaptiveAire Systems
CaptiveAire Systems is a privately held manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems in the U.S. along with heaters, fans, and HVAC equipment.[1] The company, founded by Robert L. Luddy in 1976, is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.[2] Since its inception, the company has expanded from fire suppression to a variety of products including exhaust, pollution control, fire suppression and prevention, HVAC, and utility distribution.
History
In November 1976, Robert L. Luddy started Atlantic Fire Systems, which sold automatic dry chemical fire systems to restaurants and industry.
In 1978, Ben Maynard, suggested to Luddy that he open a sheet metal shop to manufacture ventilation hoods and integrate the fire system.[citation needed]
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.[4] The company’s clients are made up of independent restaurants and national chains in the food industry. The company also services public and private institutions such as industrial, correctional, military, and school facilities.
Community and awards
- 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
- ^ "CaptiveAire to double size of Bedford plant". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "CaptiveAire announces major expansion plan". Bedford Gazette. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ Luddy, Robert (2018). Entrepreneurial life: the path from startup to market leader. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0989498920.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Voted "Best in Class Overall 2013" for ventilation systems". Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ "Top 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle".