- The Anchor: Retains the historic Phasemaster® since 1960 and Kay Industries since 1972 metrics that build immediate trust with old-school electricians.
- The Expansion: Seamlessly introduces your evolved capabilities (digital systems, drives, transformers) without cluttering the pitch.
- The Promise: Swaps the weak ending line “is here to help” for a dominant, authority-driven statement regarding industrial reliability.
About Us
Cost-Effective Infrastructure for a Three-Phase World.
Since 1960, the Phasemaster® brand has been the world’s premier name in rotary three-phase conversion. Since 1972, Kay Industries has engineered the technical standard for power transformation, helping tens of thousands of clients successfully convert single-phase utility grids into high-performance three-phase distribution networks.
Today, we are bridging the legacy of the past with the intelligence of the future. From our classic static and rotary phase converters to cutting-edge digital systems, industrial drives, and advanced transformers, Kay Industries delivers the absolute reliability your heavy machinery demands.
Call Us
(574) 236-6220
Rob Rohena
CEO
Brand Story: Powering Possibility
Kay Industries – Our Journey
e Roots of Innovation (1957–1960)
The blueprint for the commercial phase converter market was drafted by pioneering inventor James F. Buffington under the early business banner Buffington-Payne. In 1957, Buffington introduced the Miniphase™, a highly efficient static converter that allowed small workshops to safely start three-phase equipment using standard single-phase utility lines. Seeking a way to deliver 100% continuous motor horsepower, Buffington achieved another massive breakthrough three years later. In 1960, he launched the Phasemaster®, which earned distinction as the world’s first commercially sold rotary three-phase converter.
The Katz Era & Rapid Market Growth (1971–1980)
A major corporate turning point occurred in 1971 when Aaron Katz and his son Steven Katz took control of the company. Under this new leadership, Kay Industries aggressively scaled and standardized Buffington’s original breakthroughs. The company acquired the Miniphase line in 1971, backing the static design with advanced capacitor architecture. By 1972, they secured the exclusive manufacturing rights to the flagship Phasemaster® brand. From 1971 through 1980, the company experienced exponential growth. During this foundational decade, Kay Industries established itself as an industry pioneer by introducing packaged internal controls and standardizing rigorous safety features.
Tragedy and Transition to Larry Katz (Early 2000s)
In the early 2000s, the company faced immense hardship following the tragic passing of Aaron and Steven Katz, who had successfully steered the business together for three decades. Stepping up to preserve and expand his family’s legacy, Larry Katz took over leadership of Kay Industries. Bringing a powerful technical background—including an electrical engineering degree from Purdue University—Larry streamlined the company’s manufacturing, production, and engineering processes. Serving concurrently as Principal Engineer, Larry steered the business into the modern era by pioneering advanced controls and new three-phase converter advancements. Over a 13-year period of focused product innovation and manufacturing improvements, Larry successfully grew the company’s annual sales from less than $700,000 to approximately $1.2 million.
Economic Hardship, Pandemic, and the PPP Lifeline (2008–2021)
The journey was not without significant adversity. The 2008 global financial collapse severely impacted the industrial manufacturing sector, nearly destroying the company. Kay Industries fought to stabilize, but over a decade later, the COVID-19 pandemic brought global supply chains and operations to a sudden halt. During this critical period, vital federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans provided the necessary financial cushion to keep the doors open, protect workforce jobs, and maintain production lines.
Turnaround, Disruptions, and Strategic Alliances (2022–2025)
By 2022, amid ongoing financial difficulties and the looming retirement of Larry Katz and long-time General Manager Gregory Shroff, the company reached a major intersection. To preserve the legacy and inject new capital, 100% of Kay Industries’ stock was acquired by entrepreneur and investor Rob Rohena.
The first two years under Rohena’s ownership presented fierce challenges. The company struggled to maintain its traditional market share because the barrier to entry had been lowered significantly by the widespread market introduction of Baldor 3-phase motors in 2016. Faced with shifting industrial dynamics, Rohena enacted sweeping operational changes and pivoted toward high-tech, exclusive engineering alliances:
- The Phazpak Partnership: Kay Industries signed an exclusive partnership—complete with a first right of refusal option to buy the entire company—with Phazpak Technology. This tech is deployed inside Kay’s proprietary boost-start capacitor line, branded as Kandlestick™.
- The North American Rotary Alliance: Turning a fierce industry rivalry into a strategic asset, Rohena partnered with chief competitor North American Rotary to co-develop advanced 480v panel designs. This landmark deal secured Kay Industries a first right of refusal option to acquire North American Rotary in the future.
- The Shift to Digital Conversion: Expanding past legacy mechanical setups, Kay Industries aligned with Phase Technologies to co-offer the cutting-edge E-Phase Perfect All-Electronic digital phase converter, bringing true solid-state digital precision to the modern grid.
- The Hammond Partnership (2025): Solidifying its position in full power infrastructure, Kay Industries partnered with industry super-brand Hammond Power Solutions in 2025. Through this strategic alliance, Kay Industries began offering a specialized line of high-performance industrial transformers under the proprietary name Hawk Transformers.
Diversification and the Expansion Era (2026–Present)
Building on a long-standing collaborative history in mobile phase converter and hydraulic power pack delivery, Kay Industries fully acquired AMG Bolting Solutions in 2026. Long known as an essential distributor for industrial torque equipment in the oil and gas sector, AMG Bolting Solutions faced operational headwinds when its primary tooling vendor was bought out. Recognizing the latent equity in AMG’s client network and robust industrial application portfolio, Rohena absorbed 100% of the firm under the Kay Industries umbrella. This acquisition successfully diversified the company’s technical capabilities, combining elite phase conversion technology with heavy industrial bolting, fluid management, and torque precision systems under a single powerhouse ecosystem.
Today, fully stabilized and highly expanded, Kay Industries has consolidated its core engineering, manufacturing, and executive operations into northern Indiana. The legendary pioneer operates out of its primary corporate offices in Nappanee, Indiana, and its dedicated shipping facility in Monroe, Indiana, and Plymouth, Indiana, engineering the future of full-scale industrial power.
Diversification and the Expansion Era (2026–Present)
The year 2026 marked a massive, multi-front expansion for Kay Industries, transforming the company from a regional power specialist into an international industrial powerhouse. In January 2026, Kay Industries formed a monumental international partnership with Daelim Electric and Hydraulic Technologies. This strategic alliance paired Kay’s precision engineering with Daelim’s world-class transformer manufacturing and specialized fluid power engineering, vastly scaling Kay’s production capacity and expanding its global supply chain.
Immediately leveraging this enhanced infrastructure, Kay Industries executed an aggressive consolidation strategy, acquiring AMG Bolting Solutions in 2026. Long known as an essential distributor for industrial torque equipment in the oil and gas sector, AMG Bolting Solutions faced operational headwinds when its primary tooling vendor was bought out. Recognizing the latent equity in AMG’s client network and robust industrial application portfolio, Rohena absorbed 100% of the firm under the Kay Industries umbrella.
Simultaneously, Kay Industries set its sights on acquiring transitioning legacy manufacturers that were on the verge of closing their doors. By stepping in to absorb these historic brands, Kay Industries successfully preserved vital American manufacturing jobs, kept legendary product lines alive, and rapidly captured dominant market share—combining elite phase conversion, custom transformer infrastructure, hydraulic precision, and heavy industrial tooling under a single, unified powerhouse ecosystem.
Today, fully stabilized and highly expanded, Kay Industries operates a highly optimized logistics network from the heart of the Midwest. Executive leadership and core engineering are centralized at our primary corporate offices in Nappanee, Indiana. To guarantee maximum efficiency and elite quality control, all product freight and order fulfillment are centralized out of our specialized shipping and logistics hub in Monroe, Indiana, while all precision equipment diagnostics, repairs, and industry-leading warranty services are executed out of our dedicated technical center in Plymouth, Indiana.
1957-1970
Foundations of Innovation
- 1957: James F. Buffington invents the Miniphase™ static converter under the early banner Buffington-Payne.
- 1960: Buffington introduces the Phasemaster® rotary converter, marking the world’s first commercially sold rotary 3-phase system.
- Engineering Impact: Breakthrough technology allows small American workshops to run heavy 3-phase machinery on single-phase utility lines.
1971-1999
The Katz Era & Industrial Scaling
- 1971: Aaron and Steven Katz take control of the company and formally absorb the Miniphase™ static line.
- 1972: The company officially secures exclusive manufacturing rights to the flagship Phasemaster® brand.
- 1972–1980: Kay Industries experiences exponential market growth by standardizing packaged internal controls and strict built-in safety features.
2000-2021
Engineering Precision & Economic Resilience
- Early 2000s: Purdue electrical engineer Larry Katz takes over as Principal Engineer and leader after family tragedy.
- Product Advancement: Larry modernizes the product lineup, driving annual revenues from under $700k up to $1.2 million.
- Survival & Grit: The company survives the devastating 2008 financial collapse and uses vital PPP loans to protect jobs during COVID-19.
2022-2025
The Rohena Acquisition & Strategic Alliances
- 2022: Entrepreneur and investor Rob Rohena acquires 100% of Kay Industries’ stock to revitalize the historic brand.
- Market Adjustments: Enacts major operational updates to counter low-barrier entry changes caused by 2016 Baldor 3-phase motor shifts.
- Tech Alliances: Secures a Phazpak partnership (Kandlestick™ capacitors) and a North American Rotary alliance (480v panels) with first right of refusal buyouts.
- Digital Evolution: Partners with Phase Technologies for E-Phase™ Perfect Balanced digital converters and Hammond Power Solutions for Hawk Transformers (2025).
2026-Present
Global Infrastructure & The Modern Footprint
- January 2026: Signs a monumental international infrastructure partnership with Daelim Electric and Hydraulic Technologies.
- AMG Acquisition: Absorbs 100% of AMG Bolting Solutions, diversifying the firm into industrial torque and fluid precision networks.
- Nappanee (HQ): Centralizes all executive leadership, corporate strategy, and principal electrical engineering.
- Monroe Hub: Streamlines high-velocity order fulfillment and finished goods freight out of a dedicated shipping facility.
- Plymouth Hub: Safeguards engineering excellence by hosting all master factory repairs, diagnostics, and warranty services.
The Unified Matrix:
Powering the Electro-Hydraulic Matrix
Why Choose Us
At Kay Industries, we are expanding our legendary engineering heritage into a unified electro-hydraulic matrix. We are aggressively transforming from a standalone phase converter workshop into the ultimate global aggregator and single-source provider of heavy industrial power infrastructure, automation, and fluid precision systems. By integrating utility-grade transformation through our global Daelim and Hammond partnerships, solid-state digital conversion, and the precision torque capabilities of AMG Bolting Solutions, we are building a seamless ecosystem that controls the entire value chain from the power grid to mechanical force. Operating through our specialized Midwest logistics hubs, our vision is to continuously absorb and scale legacy industrial technologies—driving efficiency, protecting manufacturing heritages, and engineering a smarter, more connected world for generations to come.
🚀 Mission Statement
Our mission is to deliver top-rate customer service, exceptional industrial value, and enduring market partnerships while steering the future of energy consolidation. We are committed to developing, acquiring, and scaling innovative electro-hydraulic technologies that revolutionize how the world transforms, converts, and utilizes electrical and mechanical power. By unifying utility-scale transformation, solid-state phase conversion, digital instrumentation, and heavy torque systems under one master ecosystem, we empower industries and communities with smarter, more resilient, and deeply sustainable three-phase solutions.
💡 Core Values
- Consolidated Innovation: We merge multi-decade engineering heritage with forward-thinking global alliances to pioneer a unified, smart-connected electro-hydraulic matrix.
- Uncompromising Integrity: We act with absolute honesty, transparency, and accountability, serving as dependable stewards for the legacy American brands we acquire. [1]
- Strategic Collaboration: We foster enduring international and domestic partnerships through shared industrial goals, mutual trust, and deep operational respect.
- Operational Excellence: We enforce the highest standards across our specialized hub-and-spoke logistics network, delivering flawless engineering from utility grid to mechanical force.
- Resilient Sustainability: We are committed to developing high-efficiency, solid-state three-phase power and fluid precision solutions that eliminate energy waste and protect our communities.
- Customer-Centric Performance: We listen, adapt, and rapidly deploy tailored solutions, backing our clients with elite factory technical support and an industry-leading warranty commitment.
⚡ Company Manifesto: Powering the Electro-Hydraulic Matrix, Together
We believe energy is more than electricity—it is the unified force that drives progress, possibility, and purpose. In an industrial world defined by complexity and urgency, we choose clarity, strategic market consolidation, and unyielding global impact.
We are builders of the future. Our mission is to transform how the world converts, manages, and utilizes three-phase electrical power and mechanical force. Through a unified electro-hydraulic matrix, we engineer systems not just for basic efficiency—but for systemic resilience, ultimate scaling, and industrial longevity. We see every legacy challenge as a spark for invention, and every corporate acquisition as a catalyst for growth.
We reject the status quo. We challenge outdated, fragmented machinery systems, disrupt low-barrier market competitors, and deploy solid-state, digital, and transformer infrastructures that scale. Our technologies are designed not just to perform—but to empower. To make factories smarter, supply chains stronger, and the planet healthier.
We are relentless in our pursuit of operational excellence. We act as fierce protectors of American manufacturing heritage, embrace elite international partnerships, and operate a hyper-efficient Midwest hub network that never settles for “good enough.” Guided by technical mastery and backed by an industry-leading warranty commitment, our work is grounded in the belief that absolute precision is always possible.
This is our manifesto. A declaration of who we are, the legacies we protect, and the integrated future we are creating—one phase, one breakthrough, one alliance at a time.