The Company

The Back Bay Associates, Inc. was founded in 1983 by William R. Ketterer as a manufacturers’ representative/outsourced sales engineering agency serving the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) level of the market focusing mainly on the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), Food Service Equipment, Tier Two automotive industries, Off-Highway Equipment and Marine verticals – primarily but not limited to – the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Western Pennsylvania. Certain principal/client relationships have no territorial boundaries and are managed on an account-by-account success basis. Since its inception, the company has seen steady, substantial growth in both principal product lines sold as well as its potential customer base.

In 1990, during an expansionary period for the firm, Jeffrey T. Ketterer joined the firm as Executive Vice President. Over the years, Jeff has been exposed to increasing levels of responsibility in terms of coverage of the territory for all principal suppliers served as well as managing the daily aspects of the business.

Bill and Jeff enjoyed over 30 years of extraordinarily successful and fulfilling business growth and expansion. Unfortunately, Bill passed away in May of 2024. While his passing leaves a massive personal void to all that loved him, at the same time, it also leaves behind a tremendous and rock-solid personal and professional legacy.

Today, Jeff continues Back Bay’s mission of adding to and delighting their customers, leveraging available technology while growing the firm’s overall reach and capabilities. Vital assistance comes from a network of extraordinary industry- imbedded and highly experienced business colleagues/contacts and collaborators. The overall effort drives professional, value-added personalized service to the total customer base while remaining cognizant of the specific goals and objectives of each representative principal/client adding value as a vital interface between principal and customer. Presently, The Back Bay Associates, Inc. counts five main different lines/sources/manufacturers (principals) as clients and is responsible for a significant amount of total sales volume.

Back Bay’s overarching day-to-day goal is quite simple: Target potential OEM customers, Identify and initiate successful starting points, earn the customer’s trust, and, therefore, diligently and steadily increase the business share of that particular component over time.

Our client manufacturers/sources/suppliers often serve complementary segments within their respective markets. These segments include Heat Transfer Air Coils (Condenser, Heater, and Evaporator coils), Fractional Horsepower AC and DC and EC Motors and Blower Assemblies, Axial (propeller style) Fan Blades and Blower Assemblies, Plastic Injection Moldings, Customized Electrical Wire Harnesses, and various electricals componentry: Relays, Contactors, Transformers, Thermistors, etc.…

The firm also maintains vital overseas and lowest cost country supply chain relationships to incorporate and deploy at any time when necessary.