Inside Sales Representative - Mechanical Products Group
About the job
- An Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, two to four years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an engineering program of study is preferred.
- Working knowledge of mechanical systems, positive displacement pumps (especially internal gear and vane pumps), and filtration, or very strong mechanical aptitude, is preferred.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical drawings, and to write reports and general business correspondence, is preferred.
- Ability to calculate discounts, commissions, proportions, and percentages, and to convert standard measurements to metric, is preferred.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel, and Prophet 21 is preferred.
- Provide outstanding service to customers and support outside sales staff regarding mechanical equipment orders.
- Answer telephone calls or respond to customer correspondence regarding technical questions on products or systems.
- Engage in technical discussions to obtain applicable information, identify the correct product, and advise customers on product substitutions or modifications when replacement is necessary.
- Select and specify products based on customer applications and design prerequisites.
- Confer and correspond with service technicians, service managers, or manufacturers to resolve unusual or complex technical problems, or refer highly complex problems to the manager.
- Prepare detailed product quotations by computing prices, discounts, and shipping charges in accordance with company guidelines.
- Inform customers about pricing, back orders, delivery, delayed shipments, and other order-process problems, and provide tracking information.
- Obtain purchase order numbers and/or credit card information from customers.
- Confer with Accounting to research and resolve invoicing or credit discrepancies.
- Attend sales meetings or educational activities to stay up to date on technical developments in the products.
About the company
SunSource distributes fluid power components and systems to OEMs, MROs, and mobile industrial equipment users. It provides design and engineering support, supply chain optimization, productivity solutions, value-added services, and repair capabilities. The products are delivered through a national network with strong local presence, combining technical expertise with customer service to offer cost-effective, maintenance-reducing solutions. SunSource differentiates itself through its long track record (85+ years), comprehensive engineering and repair services, and a focus on helping customers boost productivity while lowering operating costs. The company aims to deliver high-quality products and services, foster growth for its associates and partners, and build lasting customer relationships through technical support and reliable service.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Windsor, California
Founded
2001
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Vytl expands SunSource into chemical, marine, and downstream-energy end markets.
- SunSource’s 240-plus North American locations strengthen local service and parts fulfillment.
- MDM estimated fiscal 2025 revenue above $2 billion, supporting acquisition-funded growth.
What critics are saying
- SunSource’s June 2026 data breach exposed Social Security numbers, IDs, and health data.
- CD&R’s August 2026 takeover raises integration risk after the January 2026 Vytl acquisition.
- Applied Industrial Technologies still leads fluid power scale, squeezing SunSource pricing and share.
What makes SunSource unique
- SunSource ranked No. 1 in Hose and No. 1 in Fluid Power in 2026.
- SunSource acquired Vytl Controls on January 30, 2026, adding flow-control repair capabilities.
- CD&R completed SunSource’s majority-stake acquisition on August 19, 2026, backing roll-up expansion.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
5%1 year growth
5%2 year growth
5%SunSource acquires Vytl Controls from middleground capital. Vytl was formerly known as PVI Holdings and further strengthens SunSource's flow control capabilities. Fluid power, process, conveyance and industrial automation components distributor SunSource has acquired Vytl Controls Group from private equity firm MiddleGround Capital. MiddleGround announced its sale of Woodlands, TX-based Vytl - previously known as PVI Holdings - in a Jan. 30 news release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. SunSource actioned the acquisition through an undisclosed subsidiary. Vytl Controls Group operates globally in the distribution, service & repair and design and manufacturing of flow control solutions servicing MRO applications across chemical, downstream energy, marine and other industrial end markets. The company offers both third-party and private lavel products, complemented by in-house engineering and repair services. Vytl operates through three business units: * Setpoint Integrated Solutions, a distributor of valves, actuators, and instrumentation primarily serving the chemical and downstream energy markets; * W&O Supply, a global distributor of technical flow control products and solutions to the military and commercial maritime sectors; and * AT Controls, a designer and manufacturer of valves, actuators, and process control accessories for a wide range of industrial applications. MiddleGround rebranded the company from PVI Holdings to Vytl to unify the company's operations and integrate an improved go-to-market structure. "The Vytl team has effectively operated and integrated these three businesses from a leadership, systems and organizational perspective to expand their collective capabilities," MiddleGround Founding and Managing Partner John Stewart said. "Achieving this outcome amid a complex economic environment reflects the strength of the management team and demonstrates the application of our hands-on, operationally focused investment approach." MiddleGround emphasized its investments in Vytl's centralized technology, strengthened leadership and corporate functions, and standardized processes across operations - positioning Vytl as a comprehensive flow control platform connecting suppliers and customers. "MiddleGround has been a valued partner to Vytl over the past several years," Vytl CEO Matt Bate added. "Their deep operational expertise and strategic guidance have been instrumental in supporting our efforts to strengthen relationships across the process solutions value chain. We're excited to build on this foundation by advancing our unified go-to-market strategy, broadening our product offerings and exploring opportunities in additional end markets and geographies." MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund, MiddleGround Partners II, which closed in August 2021 with $800 million of committed capital. Vytl represents the firm's fifth portfolio company exit since inception and the second exit from MiddleGround Partners II, LP. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor to MiddleGround Capital and Vytl Controls Group, with Baird serving as co-advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acting as legal counsel. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel to SunSource in connection with the transaction. SunSource's national footprint includes more than 240 locations across North America. Founded in 1922, the company was No. 1 on MDM's 2025 Top Distributors List for Hose & Accessories, No. 2 for Fluid Power and No. 15 for Industrial Supplies.
MiddleGround Capital has completed the sale of Vytl Controls Group to an affiliate of SunSource, a value-added industrial distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Vytl operates globally in distribution, service and manufacturing of flow control solutions serving chemical, energy, marine and industrial markets. The company operates through three business units: Setpoint Integrated Solutions, W&O Supply, and AT Controls. During MiddleGround's ownership, Vytl implemented a unified strategy, centralised technology, strengthened leadership and standardised processes across operations. MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund. This marks MiddleGround's fifth portfolio exit since inception and second from MiddleGround Partners II. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor, with Baird as co-advisor.