KTA-Tator, Inc.

What KTA-Tator, Inc. does

KTA-Tator, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm founded in 1949 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in coatings and corrosion inspection for critical infrastructure. The company's core offerings span independent third-party coatings inspection, cathodic protection inspection, steel and concrete inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), accredited laboratory testing (mechanical, metallurgical, failure analysis), condition assessments, forensic failure investigations, and consulting/contract administration services. Service delivery relies on a workforce of 170+ certified inspectors and 50+ engineers and scientists operating under industry standards (AMPP, SSPC, NACE, ASTM), with an associated training platform (KTA University) and an inspection-equipment e-commerce storefront (KTAGage.com).

The company generates revenue primarily through project-based, quote-driven B2B engagements with enterprise clients across oil & gas (pipelines), transportation/infrastructure (bridges, DOTs), manufacturing/fabrication, and highway safety product testing verticals. GTM motion is direct enterprise field sales — certified inspectors and engineers are deployed to client project sites under relationships that include named accounts such as Marathon Petroleum, American Bridge, Equitrans Midstream, KCI Technologies, and Mountain Valley Pipeline. Cathodic protection is delivered via a strategic partnership with Elzly, and highway safety testing was added through the March 2025 acquisition of Future Labs LLC (Madison, MS). Supporting revenue streams include KTA University training and KTAGage.com instrument sales and calibration.

In March 2025 KTA expanded its physical footprint with a new state-of-the-art testing facility at 1506 Parkway View Dr in Pittsburgh, adding mechanical testing, metallurgical evaluation, weld procedure qualification, and calibration services. The firm holds no external institutional ownership, discloses no revenue, and is led by CEO Dave McFayden with Ken Trimber as President, supported by technical leadership including KTA Fellow Bill Corbett and V.P. Professional Services Rob Leggat.

Name

KTA-Tator, Inc.

Legal name

KTA-Tator, Inc.

Website

https://kta.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

KTA-Tator is a 100% employee-owned engineering services firm that provides independent third-party coatings inspection, non-destructive testing, materials lab testing, and corrosion consulting to enterprise clients in pipelines, bridges, transportation infrastructure, manufacturing, and highway safety markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coatings Inspection and Materials Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Building Inspection Services (54135), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (8112)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrosion Inspection & Coating/CP Surveys (CUI, CP, DCVG/ACVG) (EUAEAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Advanced Inspection (Phased Array, TOFD, Guided Wave) (EUAEAKAF), Structural & Civil Inspection (Steel, Concrete, Foundations) (EUAEAHAI), Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN), Welding Inspection & QA/QC (NDT, PWHT, Weld Procedure/Qualification) (EUAEAHAD)

Keywords

• Coatings inspection services
• Non-destructive testing
• Corrosion engineering
• Materials testing laboratory
• Cathodic protection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Inspection Services: Provides independent third-party coating inspection services, cathodic protection inspection, steel and concrete inspection, and non-destructive testing for infrastructure, industrial, and commercial projects.
2. Laboratory Testing Services: Accredited laboratory offering coatings analysis, materials testing, mechanical testing, metallurgical evaluation, and failure analysis services.
3. Consulting Services: Engineering and consulting services including corrosion engineering, condition assessments, coatings consulting, and contract administration for maintenance and construction activities.
4. Training Services: KTA Training and KTA University providing professional development and continuing education for certified coating inspectors.
5. Instrument Sales (KTAGage.com): Sale of inspection equipment and calibration services through KTAGage.com e-commerce platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KTA-Tator, Inc. provides independent third-party coatings and corrosion inspection, steel and concrete inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), and accredited laboratory testing services to enterprise clients in oil & gas, transportation/infrastructure, manufacturing, and related sectors. The firm also delivers consulting, corrosion engineering, condition assessments, forensic failure investigations, and cathodic protection services (in partnership with Elzly). Complementing the service portfolio, KTA sells inspection instruments and offers calibration through its KTAGage.com storefront.

Product overview

KTA-Tator, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned company providing comprehensive inspection, materials engineering, and testing services since 1949. The company's portfolio centers on coatings and corrosion inspection, including Coatings Inspection Services, Steel & Concrete Inspection, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Cathodic Protection Services, and Paint & Coatings Laboratory testing. Supporting these core services are Condition Assessments, Forensic Coating Failure Investigations, Corrosion Engineering & Assessments, Architectural Services, and KTA University training resources. The company also operates KTAGage.com for inspection equipment sales and calibration, and offers AMPP PCCP Support Services. Recent expansions include a new Pittsburgh testing facility (2025) providing mechanical testing, metallurgical evaluation, weld qualification, and calibration services, plus the acquisition of Future Labs LLC (2025) for highway safety and polymeric product testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KTAGage.com: Inspection equipment sales and calibration laboratory services operated by KTA.

Products and services

• Coatings Inspection Services Independent third-party coatings inspection services ensuring quality coating application and mitigating corrosion risks for long-lasting asset integrity; serves oil & gas, transportation/infrastructure, and industrial clients.
• Steel & Concrete Inspection Services Meticulous steel and concrete inspections performed by certified technicians ensuring compliance with codes for durable, safe structures.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Advanced NDT services ensuring structural integrity by detecting hidden flaws in critical components using ultrasonic, magnetic, and eddy current methods; supports safer bridges, pipelines, tanks, and other infrastructure.
• Paint & Coatings Laboratory Accredited laboratory offering precise coatings analysis and testing to ensure coating quality and address coating issues effectively.
• Cathodic Protection Services Comprehensive cathodic protection services delivered in partnership with Elzly to provide corrosion protection solutions for diverse infrastructure assets.
• Paint & Coatings Consulting Expert coatings consulting services backed by decades of industry experience providing solutions for complex coating issues.
• Condition Assessments Coatings engineering services providing comprehensive condition assessments and corrosion mitigation strategies for industrial and infrastructure assets.
• Forensic Coating Failure Investigations Expert forensic coating failure analysis providing independent, data-driven insights for resolving complex coating issues.
• Architectural Services (EIFS) Architectural services including Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) for commercial buildings.
• Corrosion Engineering & Assessments Engineering surveys and design services for corrosion mitigation and asset protection.
• KTAGage.com Inspection Equipment & Calibration Online storefront (KTAGage.com) offering a diverse selection of inspection equipment and a state-of-the-art calibration laboratory for inspection instruments.
• Mechanical Testing Services Material strength and durability testing including tensile, Charpy V-Notch, bend/break, and hardness testing (Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell).
• Metallurgical Evaluation Comprehensive chemistry composition, macro, and micro analysis services as part of KTA's materials testing capability.
• Weld Procedure Qualification PQR (procedure qualification record) testing and welder performance testing services.
• Calibration Services Skidmore and torque wrench calibration services for inspection equipment, supporting KTA's KTAGage.com offering and third-party instruments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Third-party inspection services help prevent costly rework and ensure compliance with coating specifications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ElzlycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Elzly for comprehensive cathodic protection services, providing expert solutions for diverse infrastructure assets requiring corrosion protection.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC major offering coatings, corrosion, and asset integrity inspection services across energy, infrastructure, and maritime sectors. Highly comparable service lines to KTA but with a much broader portfolio and global scale.
• SGS SA: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with industrial inspection and materials testing services overlapping KTA's coatings and NDT offerings. Targets similar enterprise customers in oil & gas and infrastructure.
• Intertek Group: Global TIC major with strong energy and infrastructure inspection practices including coatings QA and materials testing. Competes with KTA on multi-disciplinary asset integrity tenders for large enterprise clients.
• Applus+ Group: European-headquartered TIC firm with significant energy and infrastructure inspection operations in North America, including pipeline integrity (Kiefner) and NDT services that directly overlap KTA's pipeline coatings work.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas): Global assurance and risk management firm with energy and infrastructure inspection services, including pipeline integrity and asset certification. Competes with KTA on independent third-party certification mandates.

Direct peers

• MISTRAS Group: U.S.-based provider of non-destructive testing, inspection, and asset protection services to energy and industrial markets. Closely comparable to KTA on NDT field services, technician deployment model, and end-market exposure.
• Acuren Inspection: North American NDT and inspection services provider serving oil & gas, pipeline, and industrial clients. Competes head-to-head with KTA on pipeline and industrial coatings inspection projects.
• TEAM Industrial Services: Specialty industrial services firm focused on NDT, inspection, and mechanical services for energy and industrial customers. Overlaps KTA's mechanical testing, weld qualification, and field inspection offerings.
• Elzly Technology Corporation: Specialty cathodic protection and corrosion engineering firm that is KTA's actual strategic partner on CP services. Directly comparable in corrosion mitigation expertise and infrastructure client base.

Emerging players

• Stress Engineering Services: Independent engineering and testing firm providing materials testing, failure analysis, and inspection services to energy and industrial clients. Comparable on the lab testing and mechanical testing capabilities KTA added at its new Pittsburgh facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ktatator
• Facebookfacebook.com/ktatator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kta-tator-inc-
• Xx.com/ktatatorinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 KTA-Tator, Inc.