Name

Forberg Smith Process Solutions

Legal name

Forberg Smith Process Solutions

Website

https://forbergsmith.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Forberg Smith Process Solutions is an authorized distributor and manufacturers' representative for 20+ process-control and instrumentation brands, serving industrial customers across 12 verticals with technical, VMI, and training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Process Control and Instrumentation Distribution

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Hoses, Tubing & Fittings (Hydraulic/Pneumatic Lines & Connectors) (IMAHAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH), Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Process control instrumentation
• Industrial control valves
• Flow measurement equipment
• Industrial filtration systems
• Valve automation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution & Sales: Distribution and resale of process control instrumentation, valves, fittings, filtration products, and measurement equipment from manufacturer brand partners. Revenue generated through product sales with pricing based on manufacturer suggested list prices, volume discounts, and account-specific arrangements. Customers can purchase through e-commerce or request quotes for non-stock/special order items.
2. Technical Services & Integration: Application engineering support, system integration, valve automation design, calibration guidance, and specification support bundled with product sales to deliver complete process control solutions.
3. Training Services: Process Training Unit (PTU) hands-on training, tube fitting installation and bending training, and coordination of manufacturer training programs including Endress+Hauser Online Courses and Brooks University.
4. Vendor Managed Inventory Programs: On-site inventory management and replenishment services ensuring critical components availability for customers, generating recurring service revenue through inventory management fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Forberg Smith distributes and represents industrial process-control and measurement products from more than 20 manufacturer brands, including instrumentation, valves, fittings, filtration, gas detection, heat trace, tubing, and pumps. It also provides technical selection, valve automation, custom assembly, digital procurement, inventory management, and hands-on training for industrial customers.

Product overview

Forberg Smith Process Solutions is a process control and instrumentation distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial products and services. The core product offering spans six main categories: (1) Flow, Level, Pressure & Temperature Measurement instruments; (2) Filtration Solutions including compressed air, process liquid, natural gas, and sterile air filtration; (3) Gas & Flame Detection safety equipment; (4) Fittings & Clamps featuring Parker, Ralston, and Topline brands; (5) Pressure Gauges and Accessories including Ashcroft gauges and diaphragm seals; and (6) Valves and Accessories from manufacturers including ASCO, AVCO, Burkert, Jamesbury, Parker, Topline, and Weir. Additional product categories include Sensors and Switches, Heat Trace products, Flowmeters, Tubing, Pumps, and ValveTop controllers. These products are complemented by five specialized services: Instrumentation (specification support, calibration, optimization), Valve Automation (actuator selection, system integration), Assembly & Fabrication (custom valve packages, control panels), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), and Digital Commerce (punchout integration, order tracking). Training services include Process Training Unit (PTU), Tube Fitting Installation & Bending Training, Endress+Hauser Online Courses, and Brooks University. The company supports diverse industries including Automotive, Chemical, Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Mining/Minerals/Metals, Oil & Gas, OEM, Power & Energy, Water & Wastewater, and operates as part of the Kendall Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brooks Instrument Mass Flow Controllers & Meters Precision mass flow controllers and mass flow measurement devices for industrial process-control applications.
• Brooks Instrument Variable Area Flow Meters (Rotameters) Variable area flow meters for measuring liquid and gas flow in process-control applications.
• Brooks Instrument Pressure & Vacuum Products Pressure and vacuum measurement and control products for industrial processes.
• Pepperl+Fuchs Intrinsic Safety Barriers Intrinsic safety barriers used to protect industrial equipment and operations in explosive environments.
• Pepperl+Fuchs Signal Conditioners Signal-conditioning equipment for industrial process-control systems.
• Pepperl+Fuchs Surge Protection Surge-protection devices for industrial electronic equipment.
• Pepperl+Fuchs HMI Systems Human-machine interface systems used for process-control visualization.
• Pepperl+Fuchs Purge+Pressurization Systems Purge and pressurization systems that provide explosion protection for hazardous industrial locations.
• Pepperl+Fuchs Power Supplies Industrial power-supply units for process-control applications.
• Samson Control Valves Industrial control valves for regulating process variables in industrial process-control systems.
• Samson Self-operated Regulators Self-operated regulators for simple control systems with constant reference variables.
• Samson Actuators Actuators used to automate industrial process-control valves.
• Samson Valve Accessories Accessories for industrial control-valve systems.
• Samson Signal Converters Signal-conversion equipment for industrial process-control systems.
• Samson Automation Systems Automated systems for industrial process-control applications.
• Samson Sensors and Thermostats Process sensors and thermostat devices for industrial temperature-control applications.
• Instrumentation Services Specification support, calibration guidance, and system-optimization services for industrial flow, pressure, temperature, and level measurement applications.
• Valve Automation Services Automated valve design services including actuator selection, system integration, and performance optimization for industrial flow control.
• Assembly & Fabrication Services Custom assembly of valve automation packages, gauge and diaphragm-seal configurations, control panels, and component groupings for industrial installation.
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Managed inventory programs that include demand planning, replenishment, and on-site stocking strategies to support component availability and reduce downtime.
• Digital Commerce Services Digital industrial-procurement tools with punchout integration, real-time order tracking, and documentation access for purchasing and account management.
• Process Training Unit (PTU) Hands-on instruction using real instrumentation, flow, level, and control-valve technologies in a simulated plant environment.
• Tube Fitting Installation & Bending Training Practical instruction in tubing selection, preparation, bending, and proper fitting assembly techniques.
• Endress+Hauser Online Courses Online and live instruction covering process automation, level, pressure, and industrial communication topics.
• Brooks University Application-driven training resources providing technical support, instrumentation fundamentals, and video-based learning modules.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved uptime, compliance, safety, and operational consistency

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Endress+HausercoreTechnology or IntegrationEndress+Hauser is a leading global supplier of level, pressure, and flow measurement instrumentation. Forberg Smith is an authorized distributor offering Endress+Hauser flowmeters and serving as a rep brand partner, providing local application expertise and customer support for their measurement solutions.
• Samson ControlscoreTechnology or IntegrationSamson Controls is a market leader in industrial process control valves with over 100 years of history. Forberg Smith offers Samson control valves, butterfly valves, actuators, self-operated regulators, automation systems, sensors, and thermostats as an authorized partner.
• Brooks InstrumentcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrooks Instrument is a leading global mass flow control and flow meter manufacturer offering precision flow measurement devices. Forberg Smith provides Brooks mass flow controllers, meters, variable area flow meters, and pressure/vacuum products as a rep brand partner.
• Burkert Fluid Control SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationBurkert is a global manufacturer of valves, flowmeters, and fluid control systems. Forberg Smith distributes Burkert valves and accessories and Burkert flowmeters and accessories.
• Parker HannifincoreTechnology or IntegrationParker Hannifin is a global leader in motion and control technologies. Forberg Smith offers Parker brass fittings, stainless steel fittings, steel fittings, valves, ball valves, check valves, needle valves, and tube fabrication equipment.
• ASCO ValvescoreTechnology or IntegrationASCO is a leading manufacturer of fluid automation equipment and solenoid valves. Forberg Smith distributes ASCO valves and accessories as part of their product portfolio.
• Jamesbury (Neles Corporation)coreTechnology or IntegrationJamesbury, now part of Neles Corporation, manufactures ball valves and butterfly valves for industrial applications. Forberg Smith distributes Jamesbury ball valves including the 4000 series, 100 series, and 9F series, plus high-performance butterfly valves.
• DragercoreTechnology or IntegrationDrager is a leading manufacturer of gas detection and safety equipment. Forberg Smith offers Drager flame detectors and gas detection products as a rep brand partner for safety-critical industrial applications.
• Pepperl+FuchscoreTechnology or IntegrationPepperl+Fuchs is a pioneer in explosion protection and sensor technology. Forberg Smith offers their intrinsic safety barriers, signal conditioners, surge protection, HMI systems, purge/pressurization systems, and power supplies.
• ValmetmajorTechnology or IntegrationValmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. Forberg Smith partners with Valmet as a trusted brand in their portfolio.
• AshcroftcoreTechnology or IntegrationAshcroft is a leading manufacturer of pressure gauges and instrumentation. Forberg Smith distributes Ashcroft commercial gauges, industrial gauges, process gauges, sanitary gauges, and diaphragm seals.
• Dwyer InstrumentsmajorTechnology or IntegrationDwyer Instruments manufactures instrumentation for flow, pressure, level, and temperature measurement. Forberg Smith offers Dwyer differential pressure gauges, single pressure gauges, flowmeters, and valves.
• BriskHeatmajorTechnology or IntegrationBriskHeat is a manufacturer of heat tracing and temperature control products. Forberg Smith distributes BriskHeat heat trace cable, connection kits, and accessories for process temperature maintenance.
• Clark-ReliancemajorTechnology or IntegrationClark-Reliance manufactures instrumentation and controls for steam and fluid processes. Forberg Smith includes Clark-Reliance products in their trusted partner brand lineup.
• LESERmajorTechnology or IntegrationLESER is a manufacturer of safety valves for industrial applications. Forberg Smith offers LESER safety relief valves as part of their valve product portfolio.
• Georg Fischer (GF Piping Systems)majorTechnology or IntegrationGeorg Fischer Piping Systems manufactures plastic piping systems and valves. Forberg Smith distributes GF Piping Systems thermoplastic valves for corrosive and specialized applications.
• PBM ValvesmajorTechnology or IntegrationPBM Valves manufactures specialty valves for industrial applications. Forberg Smith partners with PBM as part of their trusted valve brand portfolio.
• Weir Valves (Tricentric)majorTechnology or IntegrationWeir Valves, part of Weir Group, manufactures Tricentric triple offset butterfly valves. Forberg Smith distributes Weir Tricentric valves for severe service applications.
• ITT Engineered ValvesmajorTechnology or IntegrationITT Engineered Valves manufactures knife gates and specialty valves. Forberg Smith distributes ITT knife gates for demanding industrial processes.
• Fluke Process Instruments (Raytek)coreTechnology or IntegrationFluke Process Instruments (formerly Raytek) manufactures non-contact temperature measurement instruments. Forberg Smith offers Raytek products as a rep brand for thermal imaging and temperature sensing applications.
• Topline (Strahman)majorTechnology or IntegrationTopline (Strahman) manufactures stainless steel sanitary fittings, clamps, and valves for hygienic processes. Forberg Smith distributes Topline sanitary fittings and sanitary valves for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.
• Ralston InstrumentsmajorTechnology or IntegrationRalston Instruments manufactures quick test fittings, adapters, and accessories plus hand pumps for pressure testing. Forberg Smith distributes Ralston Quick Test products and Ralston test hand pumps.
• Kendall Group (Parent Company)coreOthersForberg Smith is part of the Kendall Group family of companies. The Kendall Group provides corporate infrastructure including shared services, website platforms, credit applications, and corporate policies. Forberg Smith leverages Kendall Group systems for e-commerce, customer accounts, and corporate governance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Peers

• MSC Industrial Direct:

Direct peers

• Kaman Industrial Technologies: Now part of Motion Industries, Kaman Industrial Technologies is a process control and fluid power distributor offering bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial products. Direct comparable given overlapping industrial distributor model and process control focus.
• Tencarva Machinery Company: Process equipment distributor serving chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and industrial markets with pumps, valves, instrumentation, and process control solutions. Closely comparable regional industrial distributor with similar manufacturer partnerships and value-added services.
• DXP Enterprises: Public industrial distributor specializing in rotating equipment, bearing, power transmission, and process control products serving oil & gas, food, chemical, and general industrial markets. Directly comparable business model and end-market mix.
• MRC Global: Leading global distributor of pipe, valves, fittings, and other infrastructure products to the energy and industrial markets. Directly comparable given overlapping valve, fitting, and instrumentation distribution with strong oil & gas and process industry exposure.

Broad incumbents

• Applied Industrial Technologies: One of North America's largest industrial distributors offering bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and general industrial supplies. Broader portfolio than Forberg Smith but overlapping customer base and product categories including instrumentation and MRO supplies.
• Grainger: Nation's largest broad-line industrial distributor offering over 1.5 million products through digital and branch channels. Competes with Forberg Smith on catalog MRO products but lacks the technical specialization and process control depth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forberg Smith Process Solutions