A Century of Experience
Founded in 1922 by Len Trotter and a financial partner, the Lathrop Trotter Co. was originally established as a manufacturer’s representative to serve the growing coal-fired boiler market with products such as ash handling systems, steam turbines, lubricators, and gears. The utility power industry is still a large part of the business, and Lathrop Trotter still represents two of the original manufacturers from the 1920s: United Conveyor Corporation and Terry Steam Turbine – now Dresser Rand.
For 39 years, Lathrop Trotter primarily served the coal-fired steam boiler industry. In the early sixties, then president, Bill Bissmeyer Sr., decided it was time to diversify the company. Paul Niklas, a young salesman who would later become president of the company, was introduced by his wife to the owner of a new company called Cincinnati Fan. Lathrop Trotter has been representing them since that meeting. He also added the LJ Wing Co., and we have since continued to expand into the industrial and commercial HVAC market.
Lathrop Trotter Expands and Diversifies
As the power industry has diversified into other fuels, Lathrop Trotter has diversified with it. In the nineties, the company began representing gas turbines through Solar Turbines. In 2012, Lathrop Trotter moved more heavily into the cogeneration and combined heat and power markets through a merger with Stoermer Industrial Equipment. Ed Stoermer, of Stoermer Industrial, and T.J. Mueller, a partner at Lathrop Trotter, met at a trade conference and discussed the potential of the representation of their combined offerings.
Ultimately, an agreement was reached to have Ed join Lathrop Trotter and move representation of his manufacturers to the new combined company. The agreement was made official and Ed joined Lathrop Trotter in July 2012. The merger added several industrial boilers, HRSG, and heat recovery lines to our offerings.
Lathrop Trotter Acquired by Koch Air
In July of 2021 Lathrop Trotter was acquired by Koch Air, LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Enterprises, Inc. Located in Evansville, Indiana, Koch Air works with Carrier and other HVAC product vendors to provide system solutions in the Midwest. Since 1936, Koch Air has been providing value to its customers with industry leading products and solutions.
After becoming a sister division of Koch Air and Level Solutions Group, Lathrop Trotter continues to provide boiler and power solutions as a trusted industry brand.
Our Team Today
Since 1922, our team has been dedicated to serving our customers with the best solutions in the industry. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with the owners of our equipment and to help owners efficiently and cost-effectively operate their systems for years of reliable service.
