US Synthetic
US Synthetic Corporation designs and produces custom-engineered polycrystalline diamond cutters, bearings, and mining tools for the oil and gas industry. Founded in 1978 in Orem, Utah, it holds 600+ patents and serves approximately 50% of global PDC drilling activity.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersOrem, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What US Synthetic does
US Synthetic Corporation is a US-based manufacturer of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) products founded in 1978 by Louis Pope and headquartered in Orem, Utah. The company designs and produces custom-engineered polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDCs) for oil and gas drill bits, diamond bearings for downhole drilling equipment and renewable energy systems, and diamond-enhanced mining and construction tools. Its core manufacturing capability rests on proprietary cubic press technology for high-pressure, high-temperature diamond synthesis, with sintering at approximately 1400°C and 60 kbar pressure yielding PCD with industry-leading thermal conductivity (543 W/m·K), hardness (49.8 GPa), fracture toughness (13 MPa√M), and coefficient of friction (0.01) per company disclosures. The company holds over 600 patents globally in advanced diamond technology and was the first PDC manufacturer to achieve ISO 9000 certification in 1993.
US Synthetic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- US Synthetic
- Legal name
- US Synthetic Corporation
- Website
- https://ussynthetic.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- US Synthetic Corporation designs and produces custom-engineered polycrystalline diamond cutters, bearings, and mining tools for the oil and gas industry. Founded in 1978 in Orem, Utah, it holds 600+ patents and serves approximately 50% of global PDC drilling activity.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where US Synthetic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
US Synthetic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- PDC Cutter Sales: Sale of polycrystalline diamond cutters for oil and gas exploration drill bits. Products are highly-engineered and custom-designed to meet specific drilling requirements.
- Diamond Bearings Sales: Sale of diamond bearings for downhole drilling equipment, including mud motors, ESPs, turbines, and directional drilling tools.
- Mining Tools Sales: Sale of diamond-enhanced mining tools and components.
- Intellectual Property Licensing: Licensing of PDC intellectual property to other manufacturers. Limited license agreements for high-performance polycrystalline diamond compact technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom product pricing based on specifications |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
US Synthetic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
US Synthetic designs and manufactures polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutters, bearings, and mining tools for the oil and gas drilling, mining, and industrial sectors. The company uses proprietary cubic press technology to produce highly-engineered, custom-designed diamond inserts (PDC cutters, bearings, valves, mining tools) that drill faster and last longer in demanding downhole and industrial applications. All products are 100% custom-designed to meet specific project requirements and are produced at the company's Orem, Utah facility.
Product overview
US Synthetic is a manufacturer of synthetic polycrystalline diamond (PCD) products for industrial applications. The core product portfolio centers on Polycrystalline Diamond Cutters (PDCs) for oil and gas drill bits, Diamond Bearings for down-hole drilling and renewable energy applications, and Mining & Construction Tools. The company operates several sub-brands including US Synthetic Bearings, US Synthetic Mining, and DiamondBack Nozzles. US Synthetic produces PDC inserts in various configurations including Diamond Fixed Cutter Bit Inserts, Diamond Rock Bit Inserts, and Diamond Hammer Bit Inserts. The company operates proprietary cubic press technology for high-pressure, high-temperature diamond synthesis and is ISO 9000 certified. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Orem, Utah, US Synthetic was acquired by LongRange Capital in July 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- US Synthetic Bearings: Diamond bearing technology division serving energy, mining, and industrial applications including downhole drilling tools, renewable energy, and chemical mixers.
- US Synthetic Mining
- DiamondBack Nozzles
- Engineering Good
Products and services
- Polycrystalline Diamond Cutters (PDCs) PDC cutters are sintered diamond and tungsten carbide composites used in drill bits for oil and gas exploration. They drill faster and last longer in tough conditions deep in the earth. Sold to oil and gas exploration companies, drill bit manufacturers, and mining operators.
- Diamond Bearings Diamond bearings for downhole drilling equipment, mud motors, electrical submersible pumps (ESPs), turbines, and directional drilling tools. Feature extremely low coefficient of friction (0.01 COF) and high wear resistance. Also used in renewable energy (hydrokinetic turbines) and chemical mixers.
- Mining & Construction Tools Diamond-enhanced tools for mining applications that boost performance, increase durability, and dramatically improve drilling economics in mining operations. Sold through the US Synthetic Mining sub-brand.
- Diamond Fixed Cutter Bit Inserts Diamond inserts for fixed cutter drill bits, ranging from 5mm to 25mm in diameter and 3mm to 25mm in length, designed for specific drilling project requirements. Sold to drill bit manufacturers.
- Diamond Rock Bit Inserts Diamond inserts for traditional rock bits that boost performance and increase durability in drilling formations too difficult for tungsten carbide inserts, ranging from 5mm to 25mm in diameter. Sold to drill bit manufacturers.
- Diamond Hammer Bit Inserts Diamond-enhanced hammer bit inserts for hard rock drilling situations, ranging from 13mm to 25mm in diameter and 19mm to 35mm in length. Sold to drill bit manufacturers and mining operators.
- DiamondBack Nozzles Diamond nozzle products for industrial applications, sold under the DiamondBack Nozzles brand by a US Synthetic business unit. Designed for high-wear industrial fluid handling applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% of all drilling globally is done with US Synthetic equipment
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use US Synthetic
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
US Synthetic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
US Synthetic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, licensing/compliance, minor, community and research.
- HaimingruncoreUS Synthetic granted limited license to Haimingrun for high-performance polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) intellectual property. The license validates US Synthetic's patent portfolio and the importance of innovation. Part of settlement of ITC intellectual property dispute.
- ReedHycalog/NOVlicensing/complianceUS Synthetic is not a licensee under ReedHycalog's leaching technologies. Cannot sell partially leached diamond cutters to entities not licensed by ReedHycalog/NOV. Settlement agreement governs product sales to drill bit manufacturers.
- Terry DavisminorBusiness and operations leader with experience managing operations in Aerospace, Automotive, and Oil & Gas. Part of US Synthetic's lean manufacturing consulting team. Three of his teams were recognized with the Shingo Prize.
- Jeremy McClellanminorPlayed key role in change management at US Synthetic for 16 years. Experienced in value creation, strategy deployment, leadership coaching, and achieving business results. Part of US Synthetic's consulting team.
- Choice HumanitariancommunityHumanitarian organization working with rural communities around the globe ending extreme poverty. US Synthetic supports through Engineering Good program, including projects like building schools in Peru.
- Junior AchievementcommunityEducational organization. US Synthetic participates in career fairs with Junior Achievement, including events reaching 700+ students at Monument Valley High School and other Navajo Reservation schools.
- Weatherford InternationalcoreTechnology partnership where US Synthetic's cutter technology assists Weatherford's RipTide RFID drilling reamer. Premium cutter blocks designed to evenly distribute work ensuring smooth underreamed hole.
- University of AlaskaresearchConducted research study on renewable energy in hydrokinetic device design. Study showed US Synthetic's PCD bearings experienced least amount of wear compared to other bearing materials.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
US Synthetic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ReedHycalog (NOV): ReedHycalog, a brand of National Oilwell Varco, is one of the largest global manufacturers of PDC drill bits and cutters for oil and gas drilling. ReedHycalog controls foundational leaching technology IP that constrains US Synthetic's product mix — making it both a direct competitor in PDC cutters and a cross-licensing counterpart.
- Smith Bits (SLB): Smith Bits, part of SLB (formerly Schlumberger), is a leading global supplier of roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits using PDC technology for oil, gas, and geothermal applications. Smith Bits directly competes with US Synthetic in selling PDC cutter inserts to drill bit manufacturers and operators worldwide.
- Halliburton Drill Bits: Halliburton Drill Bits (formerly Security DBS, part of the Drill Bits & Solutions business) designs, manufactures, and markets PDC drill bits and diamond-enhanced cutting structures. Halliburton competes head-to-head with US Synthetic on PDC technology performance, durability, and price across global onshore and offshore drilling markets.
- Baker Hughes Drill Bits: Baker Hughes' Drill Bits business produces fixed cutter and hybrid bits using polycrystalline diamond cutters across conventional and unconventional plays. Baker Hughes is among US Synthetic's named direct competitors in the PDC cutter and drill bit insert market.
- Element Six: Element Six, a De Beers Group company, is a leading global manufacturer of synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride supermaterials, including PCD and PCBN products for oil and gas, mining, and industrial cutting applications. Element Six uses similar high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis technology and competes with US Synthetic in PCD products for cutting tools and wear parts.
- Hyperion Materials & Technologies: Hyperion Materials & Technologies (which absorbed Diamond Innovations) manufactures industrial synthetic diamond, cubic boron nitride, cemented carbide, and finished wear parts and cutting tool inserts. Hyperion competes with US Synthetic in industrial diamond materials and engineered cutting components for mining, machining, and oil and gas applications.
Broad incumbents
- Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology: Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is one of the world's largest suppliers of drilling equipment, tools, and consumables for mining and rock excavation. It overlaps with US Synthetic's mining tools division in producing diamond-enhanced drilling inserts and mining consumables for hard-rock applications.
- Epiroc: Epiroc supplies drilling rigs, rock drills, and consumables (including diamond-enhanced bits and tools) for surface and underground mining, infrastructure, and exploration. Epiroc competes with US Synthetic's Mining division on diamond-enhanced drilling consumables for hard-rock and mineral exploration applications.
Emerging players
- SF Diamond Co., Ltd. SF Diamond is a China-based manufacturer of polycrystalline diamond cutters and related diamond products for oil and gas drilling and mining. It represents an emerging low-cost competitor whose technological capability is reflected in the recent US Synthetic-Haimingrun ITC dispute settlement over PDC intellectual property.
- Boart Longyear: Boart Longyear is a global provider of drilling services, equipment, and performance tooling (including diamond-enhanced drill bits and consumables) for mining, energy, and infrastructure exploration. It is a relevant peer in the mining drilling consumables market where US Synthetic Mining operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
US Synthetic social profiles
Digital presenceUS Synthetic compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
US Synthetic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
US Synthetic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
US Synthetic subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
US Synthetic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
US Synthetic M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about US Synthetic
What does US Synthetic do?
US Synthetic designs and manufactures polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutters, bearings, and mining tools for the oil and gas drilling, mining, and industrial sectors. The company uses proprietary cubic press technology to produce highly-engineered, custom-designed diamond inserts (PDC cutters, bearings, valves, mining tools) that drill faster and last longer in demanding downhole and industrial applications. All products are 100% custom-designed to meet specific project requirements and are produced at the company's Orem, Utah facility.
Is US Synthetic a public or private company?
US Synthetic is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was US Synthetic founded?
US Synthetic was founded in 1978. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is US Synthetic based?
US Synthetic is headquartered in Orem, United States, in the North America region.
How does US Synthetic make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. PDC Cutter Sales are the primary driver. The others are diamond Bearings Sales, mining Tools Sales and intellectual Property Licensing.
Who are US Synthetic's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ReedHycalog (NOV), Smith Bits (SLB), Halliburton Drill Bits, Baker Hughes Drill Bits, Element Six and Hyperion Materials & Technologies. Broad incumbents are Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology and Epiroc. Emerging players are SF Diamond Co., Ltd. and Boart Longyear.
Does US Synthetic have an API?
No public API is recorded for US Synthetic.