What Fluid Components International does

Fluid Components International (FCI) is a privately held industrial instrumentation manufacturer founded in 1965 and headquartered in San Marcos, California. The company designs, manufactures, and sells thermal dispersion mass flow meters, flow switches, and level switches used for air and gas flow measurement, liquid level detection, and temperature monitoring across industrial process, aerospace, nuclear power, and OEM embedded applications. FCI's core technology relies on patented thermal dispersion principles, with proprietary innovations including constant power technology for wet/moist gas measurement, AST (Advanced Sensing Technology), VeriCal in-situ calibration verification, and VORTAB flow conditioners. The company operates a multi-million dollar NIST-traceable calibration facility and claims the world's largest installed base of thermal flow meters, flow switches, and level switches with nearly 60 years of operational history.

FCI operates through three primary business units: an Industrial division serving process measurement applications (wastewater, biogas, natural gas, hydrogen, flare gas, EPA GHG compliance); an AS9100-certified Aerospace division producing flight-qualified sensors for commercial, military, and general aviation customers including NASA, Boeing, Bombardier, and Lockheed Martin; and a Nuclear division serving BWR and PWR reactor designs since 1978. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales with complementary professional services for aerospace repair/recalibration and engineering support. The company distributes through direct sales offices in the USA, Netherlands, and China, supplemented by a manufacturer representative network. All sales are quote-based with pricing not publicly disclosed; aerospace segment pricing reflects mission-critical reliability premiums. FCI is part of the DwyerOmega group based on social media presence, though operating independently under its own brand and certifications.

Name

Fluid Components International

Legal name

Fluid Components International LLC

Website

https://fluidcomponents.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Fluid Components International manufactures patented thermal dispersion flow meters, flow switches, and level switches for industrial process, aerospace, and nuclear power customers globally, operating from San Marcos, California since 1965.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Process Measurement Instrumentation

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sensors & Feedback Devices (Pressure, Flow, Position, Encoders, Transducers) (IMAHAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Filtration, Condition Monitoring & Fluid Management (Filters, Breathers, Oil Analysis, Cooling) (IMAHAGAL)

Keywords

• Thermal mass flow meters
• Flow switches
• Level switches
• Flow conditioners
• Aerospace sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

San Marcos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Flow and Level Instrumentation: FCI designs, manufactures and sells a broad line of thermal dispersion mass flow meters, flow switches and level switches for industrial process measurement applications. Products include ST Series, FLT93 Series, FS10 Series, MT Series multipoint meters, and VORTAB flow conditioners.
2. Aerospace Sensors and Systems: FCI's AS9100 certified aerospace division produces flow sensors, temperature sensors, liquid level sensors and pressure sensors to aircraft manufacturers' exacting specifications for on-board aircraft applications. Products include AS-FS, AS-FT, AS-LLE, AS-LLS, AS-MLLS, AS-TE, AS-TS, AS-TT, AS-PS, AS-PT series.
3. Aerospace Repair and Recalibration Services: Product repair and recalibration services at San Marcos, CA USA facilities. Includes as-found diagnosis, failure analysis reports, repair or replacement of mechanical parts or electronics, and periodic calibration verification using NIST traceable standards.
4. Aerospace Engineering Services: Technical support with sensor and system design and qualification including statement of work development, specification documents, and concurrent engineering design improvements. Flight test sensor support and system dynamic modeling services.
5. Nuclear Instrumentation: Level, flow and temperature measurement solutions for nuclear power industry since 1978. Products applied in both safety-rated and balance of plant applications in BWR and PWR designs.
6. OEM Products: Custom and standard OEM flow meters, flow switches, and level switches for embedding into customer products. Includes gas flow meters with compression fittings, high temperature variants, and VORTAB integrated options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fluid Components International designs and manufactures thermal dispersion mass flow meters, flow switches, level switches, and flow conditioners for industrial process measurement, aerospace, and nuclear power applications. The company operates three business units (Industrial, Aerospace, Nuclear) plus an OEM product line, providing measurement instruments with no moving parts, NIST-traceable calibration, and agency approvals (Div 1/Zone 1, SIL, AS9100, FAA/PMA).

Product overview

Fluid Components International (FCI) offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial process measurement instruments centered on thermal dispersion technology. The core product line includes ST Series thermal mass flow meters (ST50, ST51, ST75, ST80, ST100A) for air and gas measurement, FS10i Series compact flow meters, and MT100 Series multipoint meters for large duct applications. FCI also manufactures FLT93 Series flow and level switches for diverse industrial applications, and VORTAB Flow Conditioners to eliminate flow distortions. The company operates AS9100-certified Aerospace and Nuclear divisions producing specialized sensors (flow, temperature, liquid level, pressure) for aircraft and nuclear power plant applications. Products are sold globally through industrial distributors and direct sales offices in the USA, Europe, and China, with NIST-traceable calibration services and repair/recalibration support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VORTAB: Flow conditioner products including VIP, VIS, VFK, VEL, and VMR models.
• FCI Aerospace
• FCI Nuclear

Products and services

• ST Series Flow Meters Industrial-grade thermal dispersion mass flow meters for air and gas measurement, available in insertion and in-line configurations (ST50, ST51, ST75, ST80, ST100A) with 1-3% accuracy, temperature ratings up to 850°F, and HART, Modbus, Foundation Fieldbus, and Profibus communication outputs. Targeted at industrial process measurement applications.
• FS10i Series Flow Meters Compact, light-duty thermal mass flow meters for natural gas and air/compressed air applications featuring 3% accuracy, LED display, inline and insertion configurations for line sizes from 1 inch to 20 inches.
• MT100 Series Multipoint Thermal Mass Flow Meters Multipoint thermal mass flow meters with up to 8 measurement points for large line sizes and ducts, designed for flow averaging across large cross-sectional areas with distorted or swirling flow profiles.
• FLT93 Series Flow Switches Thermal dispersion flow switches with models for general purpose (FLT93B), high temperature (FLT93S), flame detection (FLT93F), low flow (FLT93L), and hygienic/sanitary (FLT93C) applications. Features dual relays, SIL 2 compliance, 190 years MTBF, and 3-year standard warranty.
• FS10 Series Flow Switch + Monitor Compact flow switch and monitor for air and gas applications including FS10i for general use and FS10A for analyzer sampling systems, with 4-20mA output and relay alarms.
• FLT93 Series Level Switches Thermal dispersion level switches in multiple configurations (FLT93B, FLT93S, FLT93F, FLT93C, FLT93M) for liquid level detection in industrial process applications.
• AS-FS Flow Sensor AS9100-certified aerospace flow sensors for air, fuel, coolant, and hydraulic flow measurement in aircraft applications, available in standard and dual output configurations with full redundancy for mission-critical aircraft systems.
• AS-FT Flow Sensor Aerospace-qualified flow transmitter for mission-critical aircraft monitoring applications, providing accurate flow measurement for environmental control systems and other aircraft subsystems.
• AS-LLE Liquid Level Sensor Precision liquid point level sensor for aerospace applications including APU oil tanks and gearbox monitoring, with dual function (level and temperature), ultra-small design (≤1.6 oz/45g), titanium wetted parts, and flight proven on over 40,000 units.
• AS-LLS Liquid Level Switch Aircraft-qualified liquid level switch for fuel tank and fluid monitoring applications, designed to meet stringent aerospace safety requirements.
• AS-MLLS Liquid Level Sensor Multipoint liquid level sensor for comprehensive fluid level monitoring in aircraft systems including potable water and fuel applications.
• AS-TE Temperature Sensor Aerospace temperature sensor elements for flight-critical equipment and system applications, designed for environmental control and engine monitoring.
• AS-TS Temperature Switch Temperature switch for aerospace applications providing alarm functions for temperature monitoring in critical aircraft systems.
• AS-TT Temperature Transmitter Temperature transmitter for aerospace applications with signal conditioning for integration with aircraft control systems.
• AS-PS/AS-PT Pressure Sensors Aerospace pressure sensors (AS-PS) and pressure transmitters (AS-PT) for liquid and gas monitoring in aircraft fuel, hydraulic, and environmental control systems.
• VORTAB Flow Conditioners Flow conditioning products including VIP (insertion panel), VMR (meter run), VIS (sleeve), VFK (field insertion tab kit), and VEL (elbow) models that eliminate flow distortions to enable accurate, repeatable measurement with minimal pressure loss.
• Nuclear Products Level, flow, and temperature measurement solutions for nuclear power industry applications since 1978. Products are certified for safety-rated and balance of plant applications in both BWR and PWR reactor designs, including the CL86 spent fuel pool multi-monitor system.
• OEM Products Original equipment manufacturer flow meters, flow switches, and level switches for integration into customer equipment, including gas flow meters with various power input options, compression fittings, and VORTAB flow conditioner integration.
• Custom Products Custom engineered options including chromium carbide coatings, corrosive process coatings for FLT93S, quick disconnect sensors for MT series, rain/moisture sensor shields, sanitary process connections, and sun/wind enclosure shades.
• AS-LL Series Fluid Sensors for Aircraft Gearbox Applications Liquid level sensors designed for aircraft gearbox oil level detection to support maintenance needs and prevent safety issues. Features thermal dispersion electronic sensing with no moving parts.
• ST Series Thermal Mass Flow Meters for Hydrogen ST Series flow meters calibrated in hydrogen at specific process conditions per ISO 14511 standards for accurate hydrogen flow measurement applications including electrolyzer systems, steam/methane reformer systems, and gasification processes.
• Aerospace Repair and Recalibration Services Product repair and recalibration services at San Marcos, CA USA facilities, including as-found diagnosis, failure analysis reports, repair or replacement of mechanical parts or electronics, and periodic calibration verification using NIST traceable standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• MTBF of 190 years for FLT93 flow switches
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)coreOthersFCI has worked directly with EPA to obtain clarifications and guidance on the use of thermal flow meters in EPA GHG mandate compliance. FCI's ST100A, ST80, ST51, ST75 series flow meters are registered with EPA MRU numbers for alternative measurement protocols for biogas and renewable natural gas.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Emerson Rosemount: Emerson's Rosemount division is the global leader in process measurement instrumentation, offering magnetic, Coriolis, vortex, and thermal mass flow meters plus level and pressure instruments. Directly comparable to FCI's industrial product line, but with much broader modality coverage and global channel reach.
• Endress+Hauser: Endress+Hauser is one of the largest process instrumentation manufacturers globally, with a comprehensive flow, level, temperature, and pressure portfolio including thermal mass flow meters. Directly comparable on industrial flow/level measurement with deeper biopharma and hygienic credentials.
• Honeywell Process Solutions: Honeywell offers industrial process measurement and control instrumentation including flow meters and level sensors. Also serves aerospace sensing needs, overlapping with FCI's aerospace division's industrial base.
• ABB Measurement & Analytics: ABB offers a broad portfolio of process measurement instrumentation including flow, level, pressure, and temperature products serving oil & gas, chemical, power, and water industries. Comparable on industrial process measurement with much broader modality coverage.
• Yokogawa Electric: Yokogawa provides process instrumentation including Coriolis, vortex, and magnetic flow meters plus level and temperature measurement. Direct competitor in industrial process measurement with strong presence in oil & gas and power generation where FCI also operates.

Direct peers

• Brooks Instrument: Brooks Instrument manufactures thermal mass flow controllers and meters for semiconductor, biopharma, and industrial gas applications. Comparable thermal mass flow technology and overlapping target segments, particularly in biopharma sanitary applications.
• Ametek Aerospace & Defense: Ametek designs and manufactures aerospace sensors, transducers, and instrumentation for commercial and military aircraft. Direct peer to FCI Aerospace's flow, temperature, level, and pressure sensor lines serving similar aircraft platforms and qualification standards.
• Sierra Instruments: Sierra Instruments specializes in thermal mass flow controllers and meters for gases, with comparable thermal dispersion technology and a focus on industrial gas measurement. Closest direct peer to FCI's ST Series thermal mass flow meter product line.
• MKS Instruments: MKS Instruments manufactures mass flow controllers, gas analyzers, and vacuum/pressure measurement for semiconductor, industrial, and biopharma markets. Comparable thermal mass flow technology with overlap in specialty gas measurement and sanitary applications.

Emerging players

• Bin Master (Garner Industries): Bin Master manufactures level sensors and flow measurement devices for industrial process applications including solids, liquids, and bulk materials. Comparable on level measurement instruments for industrial process markets where FCI's FLT93 level switches compete.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DwyerOmega?themeRefresh=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/fluidcomponents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fluid-components-international

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Fluid Components International