Ditek

Ditek was founded in 1988 by Robert McIntyre, a Navy veteran, after ten years of working alongside another surge protection entrepreneur. Based in Largo, Florida, the company grew from a small operation into a family business. McIntyre eventually passed leadership to his daughters, Wendy Gattis and Melissa Lostraglio. Gattis now serves as CEO.

Ditek has spent more than three decades designing and manufacturing surge protection devices, with a workforce of over 100 employees based in the United States. The company has been recognized repeatedly as a top employer in the Tampa Bay region. It maintains a manufacturing and distribution presence built specifically around surge protection rather than a broader electrical product catalog.

Product Lines

SupplyHouse stocks Ditek's surge protection devices for HVAC and residential electrical systems. These devices guard equipment like furnaces, air handlers, and control boards against voltage spikes from lightning strikes or grid switching events. The line also extends to whole-home power protection units installed at the electrical panel to protect an entire property rather than a single appliance.

Beyond HVAC-focused protection, Ditek's broader catalog covers surge devices for fire alarm systems, access control, networking and communications equipment, and video surveillance systems. This reflects the company's original focus on protecting low-voltage and control systems alongside standard AC power circuits.

Why Contractors Specify Ditek

HVAC and electrical contractors specify Ditek surge protection because a single lightning-induced spike can take out a control board or compressor. Either can cost far more to replace than the protective device itself. Adding a Ditek unit at installation is a straightforward way to reduce callback risk on equipment installed in areas prone to lightning or unstable grid power.

Ditek's family ownership and long operating history in a single product category give contractors a specialized surge protection manufacturer to specify.

How to Choose Ditek Products

Choosing the right Ditek device starts with identifying what needs protection. A single piece of HVAC equipment calls for a point-of-use surge protector sized to that unit's voltage and amperage. Protecting an entire property calls for a panel-mounted whole-home unit instead. Contractors should also check the surge current rating against the exposure risk of the installation site. A property in a high lightning-strike area needs a higher-rated device than one in a low-risk region.

For systems that include fire alarm, access control, or networking equipment alongside HVAC controls, it's worth confirming whether a single whole-home unit adequately protects those low-voltage lines. Dedicated surge devices may be needed for each system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ditek based?

Ditek is based in Largo, Florida. The company was founded in 1988.

Is Ditek a family-owned company?

Yes. Founder Robert McIntyre passed leadership of Ditek to his daughters, Wendy Gattis and Melissa Lostraglio, making it a second-generation family business.

What does Ditek surge protection protect?

Ditek makes surge protection devices for HVAC equipment, whole-home electrical panels, fire alarm systems, access control, networking equipment, and video surveillance systems.

Do I need a whole-home surge protector or a point-of-use unit?

A point-of-use device protects a single piece of equipment like an air handler. A panel-mounted whole-home unit protects everything on the property's electrical system. The choice depends on how much equipment needs coverage.

How long has Ditek been manufacturing surge protection?

Ditek has been designing and manufacturing surge protection devices since 1988, giving the company more than three decades of experience in the category.