History of the Firm

The Back Bay Associates, Inc. was founded in 1986 by William R.Ketterer as a manufacturers' representative 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 and Tier Two automotive industries primarily in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania. Certain principal/client relationships have no terrritorial boundry and are handled on an account by account basis. Since its inception, the company has seen steady, substantial growth in both principal product lines sold as well as the customer base.

In 1990, in the midst of an expansionary period for the firm, Jeffrey T. Ketterer joined the firm as Executive Vice President. Since that time, Jeff has been exposed to increasing levels of responsibility in terms of coverage of the territory for all principals served as well as managing the daily aspects of the business.

Together, Bill and Jeff, along with a small administrative staff, daily provide professional, 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 nine different manufacturers as clients and is responsible for a significant amount of total sales volume. 

The client companies often serve complementary segments within their respective markets. These segments include: Heat Transfer Air Coils  (Condenser, Heater and Evaporator coils),  Heat Transfer Water Coils (Water Cooled, Tube-in-Tube, Coaxial Coils) Fractional Horsepower AC and DC and EC Motors and Blower Assemblies, Customized Electrical Wire Harnesses, Cord Sets and Cable Assemblies,  Motor Run and Start Capacitors, Engineered Propeller Style Axial Fan Blades, Imported Metal Wire Formings and Fan Guards, Metal Stamping, as well as highly engineered precision quality Plastic Injection Molded Components.