Koch Air History

THE KOCH FAMILY SETS SAIL

for America from their home in Germany. Their plan was to reunite with family members in Evansville, Indiana.

Willis Carrier invents air conditioning

GEORGE KOCH SONS

George W., Louis and Albert incorporate the George Koch Tin Shop and rename it to honor their father.

FIRST RESIDENTIAL APPLICATION First Residential Application

is placed into Gates Mansion in Minneapolis, MN.

“MANUFACTURED WEATHER” IS LAUNCHED

with Willis Carrier's introduction of centrifugal refrigeration. This landmark event launched modern air conditioning from the factory floor into movie theatres, office buildings, and department stores

George Koch Sons expand into the air conditioning industry

George Koch Sons decided for the first time to expand into an industry completely unrelated to their other business, the air conditioning industry. George Koch Sons opened a Carrier distributor business to become the first franchised distributor for Carrier Air Conditioning Company. During this time, only two places in Evansville were air conditioned. They were cooled with well water that was run through a cooling coil with a large fan placed to blow across it and create cool air. Evansville became an air-conditioned city much sooner than other same size cities.

Started the construction of war products and stopped production of metalcraft

George Koch Sons stopped production of metalcraft for customers and started the construction of war products. A federal law was passed that required all manufacturing of non-essential metal goods to be stopped in order to use all metal in the war effort. As with all companies at this time, the plant’s chief duty became to support the country throughout World War II.

In support of the new law and increased war efforts, George Koch Sons built a new plant in 1942 on Upper Mount Vernon Road in Evansville. The craftsmen's metalworking skills were quickly put to use as they began the fabrication of parts for the famous LST ships. Other systems for the war effort were also produced at the new plant. These systems were produced for other factories throughout the US that included spray booths for aircraft wings, shell case testing equipment, and fixtures for aircraft wings and engines. Also manufactured were ovens for dehydrating, baking, and testing.

Koch Air Acquires Carrier Midwest Expanding the Koch Air Geographic Coverage with Carrier

Koch Air acquired Carrier Midwest from Carrier to add the Northern Indiana markets and the territory considered Louisville and Lexington KY.

Koch Air Acquires Marco Sales Adding additional geographic coverage with Carrier

Koch Air acquires Marco Sales located in St Louis Missouri covering central and southern Illinois and Central and Eastern Missouri. This acquisition added another major market area of growth while also adding several strong rural markets to the business.

MT VERNON IL OPENS Investment for Growth

Koch Air adds a stocking branch in Mount Vernon, IL. Positioned near instate 64, the store is situated at one of the main thoroughfares across the Midwest. This convenient location offers both potential and existing customers a convenient option in the Illinois market.

Koch Air Acquires Level Solutions Adding Niche World Class Equipment Solutions

Koch Air added Level Solutions in Indianapolis to add more applied HVAC niche solutions to the product offering and bringing added value to the customer base.

FENTON New Branch in Fenton MO Opens

Koch Air opens new location in Fenton MO to service the southern portions of the STL Metro Area.

INDIANAPOLIS EAST New Branch Location Opened for Business

Koch Air opens new location in Indianapolis, IN Market.

Koch Air Acquires Lathrop Trotter Expanding Geographic Coverage + Adding Niche Product Offering

In July of 2021, Lathrop Trotter, a well respected representative of boilers, fans, and power/utility solutions became part of the Koch Air Family.

Level Solutions & Lathrop Trotter Rebranding Koch Applied Solutions, LLC is created

A merge of the the Level Solutions and Level Solutions rep businesses created a need to rebrand under the name Koch Applied Solutions. While Lathrop Trotter remains a brand in the Power Generation and Utility business, Koch Applied Solutions has become business for all niche HVAC and Industrial product needs.

LEXINGTON EXPANSION Adding space to add value

Koch Air expands its branch size in Lexington KY Market to make room for more inventory to support the growth of our customers.

Koch Air Acquires Standard Air Expansion in Western PA & WV

Standard Air & Lite (https://www.stdair.com/) was the 3rd oldest Carrier Distributor until it became part of Koch Air in January of 2025. Adding Standard Air to the Koch Air family expands the footprint and brings great synergies and growth potential to the business to better support all customers.