Fowler High Precision

What Fowler High Precision does

Fowler High Precision (legal entity Fred V. Fowler Co., Inc.) is a privately held US precision metrology distributor and measurement equipment provider founded in 1946 and headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts. The company sells coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), optical and vision systems, height gages, horizontal calibration and setting benches, bore gages, air gaging systems, calipers, micrometers, and indicators through a catalog of 1,164+ SKUs. Core technical differentiators include the Aberlink Teach & Repeat CMM programming paradigm (claimed to compress CMM commissioning from weeks to hours), Aberlink3D unified CMM software with no annual licensing fees, the modular Bowers pistol-grip bore gage system with IP67-rated Bluetooth heads, air gaging technology for sub-micron tolerances in harsh environments, and the Trimos Lab Concept Nano with 1-nanometer resolution calibration. The bulk of the CMM and advanced metrology portfolio is sourced through exclusive North American distribution partnerships with European manufacturers — Aberlink, Trimos, Sylvac, Bowers, Baty, and zCAT — rather than developed in-house, positioning Fowler as a value-added distributor and integrator with proprietary software unification, accredited calibration services, and field service capabilities.

Revenue is generated predominantly through one-time hardware sales ranging from sub-$100 hand tools to $24,000+ advanced CMMs and calibration benches, supplemented by a smaller recurring revenue stream from repair and calibration services (e.g., $195 evaluation fees, $1,975 fixed-price height gage repairs) and on-site field service contracts. GTM is multi-channel: three US regional account managers (Central, Eastern, Western) cover enterprise accounts directly across the US and Canada; an authorized distributor network handles US/Canada/Mexico mid-market and reseller volume; a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront captures SMB and individual buyers; and an in-house Business Development Team manages inside sales and distributor support. Fowler serves six primary customer verticals — aerospace, medical devices, automotive, defense and weapons, oil & gas, and Tier 1-3 job shops — and operates A2LA ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration laboratories on both US coasts (Canton, MA and Valencia, CA).

Name

Fowler High Precision

Legal name

Fred V. Fowler Co., Inc.

Website

https://fowlerprecision.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fowler High Precision is a US precision metrology distributor and measurement equipment provider, founded 1946, that sells CMMs, bore gages, height gages, air gaging systems, and hand tools across US/Canada/Mexico through exclusive partnerships with European brands Aberlink, Trimos, Sylvac, Bowers, Baty, and zCAT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Measurement Instruments

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Precision measurement instruments
• Coordinate measuring machines
• Metrology calibration services
• Bore gaging systems
• Height measurement gages

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Measurement Instruments: Sale of precision measuring instruments including CMMs, bore gages, calipers, micrometers, height gages, indicators, and optical systems. One-time hardware purchase model with prices ranging from under $100 to over $20,000 per unit.
2. Repair & Calibration Services: Professional repair and calibration services for Fowler products. $195 evaluation fee for most repairs, $1,975 fixed price for height gage repairs. National field service team with on-site capabilities.
3. Field Service & Maintenance: On-site setup, installation, calibration, repair and preventative maintenance services. Includes one-year warranty on parts and labor for Sylvac Scan and Tesa Visio units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fowler High Precision distributes and services precision metrology and measurement instruments including coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), optical and vision systems, height gages, horizontal calibration benches, bore gages, air gaging systems, calipers, indicators, and micrometers. The company also operates A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratories and provides repair, field service, and preventative maintenance for its product portfolio.

Product overview

Fowler High Precision offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision measurement equipment organized into two main categories: coordinate measuring systems and hand tools. The CMM lineup includes manual and CNC machines (Measur3D, Extol, zCAT, Axiom, Horizon/Halo/Azimuth) using Aberlink3D software with no annual fees, plus portable Trimos measuring arms. Vision and optical systems feature Sylvac Scan systems and Baty Venture platforms for non-contact inspection. Height gages span from entry-level dial/vernier models to advanced Trimos V-series (V3-V9) with 2D measurement and the Sylvac Hi-Cal Bluetooth-enabled line. Horizontal measurement and calibration solutions include HS setting benches for rapid gage setup, HC calibration benches for traceable calibration, the Lab Concept Nano for highest accuracy applications, and the portable THV bench. Bore measurement tools encompass Bowers pistol-grip bore gages with modular heads for various internal features, XT electronic bore gages, and Air gaging systems (Air1/Air2/Air3 displays) with Sylcom software integration. The hand tool portfolio includes calipers (digital, dial, vernier), indicators, micrometers, and specialty tools. Software offerings include Aberlink3D across all CMMs and Sylcom for air gaging data collection. The company was founded in 1946 and operates A2LA-accredited calibration labs in Canton, MA and Valencia, CA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fowler Bowers: Air gaging solutions and bore gages under the Fowler Bowers brand, featuring products like Air1, Air2, Air3 single and multi-channel air gage displays.

Products and services

• CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines) Precision coordinate measuring machines for dimensional inspection and quality control in manufacturing environments. The Fowler/Aberlink CMM lineup includes manual and CNC models: Measur3D (entry-level manual CMM), Extol (CNC shop-floor CMM with sealed bearings and temperature compensation), zCAT (portable CNC CMM with 360-degree range and Teach & Repeat programming, up to 4-hour battery), Axiom (bridge-style manual or CNC CMM with lab-grade accuracy and automatic probe changing), and Horizon/Halo/Azimuth (lab-accurate CNC bridge CMMs for parts up to 2m and 1500kg). All Fowler CMMs run on unified Aberlink3D software with no annual fees.
• Vision & Optical Systems Optical and vision-based measurement systems for non-contact inspection of small parts and high-accuracy applications. The lineup includes Sylvac Scan F60, S25, and S145 series high-precision optical scanning systems; Baty Venture, Venture PLUS, Venture PLUS XT, and Venture Touch vision measurement systems; and bench-top optical comparators for profile projection and comparison measurement of part geometry.
• Height Gages Precision height measurement tools spanning from basic shop scribers to advanced 2D programmable lab-accurate systems. The lineup includes Trimos V-series height gages (V3 through V9) with 2D measurement, motorized carriage, and touchscreen interfaces, and Sylvac Hi-Cal Bluetooth-enabled electronic height gages with high accuracy calibration.
• Horizontal Measurement & Calibration Benches Horizontal setting and calibration benches for measuring, setting, and calibrating gages in-house with full traceability. The lineup includes Trimos HS3-HS6 setting benches with continuous measuring scales replacing gage block stacks; HC3-HC5 calibration benches for traceable calibration of ring gages, plug gages, thread gages, and indicators; the Lab Concept Nano (1 nanometer resolution, fully automated CNC); and the THV portable 22kg calibration bench with Bluetooth and ISO 9000 compliance.
• Bore Gages Internal measurement tools for bores, threads, grooves, and complex internal geometries. The Fowler Bowers pistol-grip bore gage system features IP67-rated modular spring-loaded self-centering three-point measuring heads with Bluetooth connectivity for measuring bores, threads, grooves, splines, gears, and custom features. The XT Series electronic and dial bore gages feature carbide anvils for internal diameter measurement.
• Air Gaging Systems Non-contact air gaging systems for high-accuracy measurement in harsh industrial conditions, measuring sub-micron tolerances. The Air1, Air2, and Air3 displays offer single, dual, and multi-channel (up to 99 devices) configurations with touchscreens and Bluetooth connectivity, supporting Sylcom software for data collection and M-BUS modules for multi-instrument connectivity.
• Calipers Digital, dial, and vernier calipers ranging from basic shop tools to Swiss-made precision instruments, with lifetime warranty options and Bluetooth-enabled models available in the premium line.
• Indicators Dial and electronic indicators including test indicators, bore indicators, and digital indicators with various accuracy levels for shop-floor and laboratory measurement applications.
• Micrometers Outside, inside, depth, and specialized micrometers including electronic and digit counter models for precision dimensional measurement.
• Hand Tools Complete line of precision hand tools including depth micrometers, telescoping gages, vises, and specialty measurement tools covering shop-floor essentials.
• Trimos Portable Measuring Arms Portable CMM measuring arms (Trimos A3 through A9 series) with measuring ranges from 250mm to 9000mm, bringing measurement capability directly to parts on machine beds for flexible in-process inspection.
• Aberlink3D Software Unified CMM measurement software used across all Fowler/Aberlink CMM product lines, featuring Teach & Repeat programming that allows operators to manually control the probe to create inspection routines and automatically repeat them. No annual fees or licensing costs.
• Sylcom Software Air gaging data collection software with Bluetooth compatibility, supporting M-BUS modules for connecting multiple probes and instruments and exporting data to Microsoft Excel for analysis.
• Repair & Calibration Services Professional repair and calibration services for Fowler products, operated by a dedicated service department. Includes $195 evaluation fee for most repairs and $1,975 fixed price for height gage repairs, with calibration services traceable to NIST.
• Field Service & Maintenance National field service team providing on-site setup, installation, calibration, repair, and preventative maintenance for metrology equipment. Includes one-year warranty on parts and labor for Sylvac Scan and Tesa Visio units, with A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration labs on both US coasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Get inspecting parts with CMMs in hours, not weeks
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AberlinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAberlink provides CMM technology to Fowler. Fowler distributes Aberlink CMMs including Fulcrum, Extol, Axiom, Horizon, Halo, and Azimuth product lines. Aberlink3D software is used across all Fowler CMMs with no annual fees.
• Sylvac (formerly Tesa Scan)coreTechnology or IntegrationSylvac provides scan systems and electronic measurement instruments. Fowler offers Sylvac Scan F60 series, SCAN S145 series products. Field service department provides on-site setup, installation, calibration, and repair for Sylvac Scan units.
• Bowers (Fowler Bowers)coreTechnology or IntegrationFowler Bowers brand provides air gaging solutions (Air1, Air2, Air3) and pistol grip bore gages with modular design and Bluetooth connectivity. Products include XT series bore gages and XTH3 Holematic pistol grip systems.
• TrimoscoreTechnology or IntegrationTrimos provides high-precision height gages (V3-V9 series), horizontal calibration and setting benches (HS3-HS6, HC3-HC5, THV), and portable measuring arms (A3, A5, A6, A9). Products range from shop-grade to lab-accurate systems.
• BatycoreTechnology or IntegrationBaty provides optical and vision measurement systems including Venture PLUS, Venture PLUS XT, and Venture Touch product lines. Products range from bench-top optical comparators to CNC vision systems.
• zCATcoreTechnology or IntegrationzCAT portable CMM with 360-degree range of motion and Teach & Repeat programming. Portable design allows programming at office desk then use on shop floor. Battery runtime up to 4 hours.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mitutoyo: Global leader in precision measurement instruments including calipers, micrometers, indicators, CMMs, and optical comparators. Directly competes with Fowler across nearly every product category, with a much broader global footprint and larger product portfolio.
• L.S. Starrett Company: US-based manufacturer of precision measuring tools, hand tools, and saw blades. Closely comparable to Fowler as a long-established American metrology brand with overlapping hand tool (calipers, micrometers, indicators) and dimensional measurement offerings.
• Renishaw: UK-based leader in CMM probing, probing software, and additive manufacturing measurement. Directly competes with Fowler/Aberlink in CMM technology and is a frequent comparison point for CMM software and probing systems.
• Mahr Federal: US subsidiary of Mahr GmbH producing precision dimensional metrology including calipers, micrometers, indicators, and length measurement systems. Mid-tier direct peer comparable to Fowler in product mix and target customer base.
• Gagemaker: Specialist in thread gages, API gages, and tubular inspection equipment for oil & gas. Directly comparable niche peer to Fowler Bowers in bore measurement and custom gage heads for oil & gas wellhead components.
• Brown & Sharpe (Hexagon): Historic metrology brand (now part of Hexagon) producing hand tools, calipers, and precision measurement instruments. Strongly comparable to Fowler in heritage, product mix, and customer base, though now owned by a global incumbent.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Division of Hexagon AB offering CMMs, portable measuring arms, laser trackers, and software (including PC-DMIS). A broader incumbent that overlaps significantly with Fowler's CMM and dimensional measurement portfolio, owned by a much larger parent with global service infrastructure.
• Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology: Division of Zeiss offering CMMs, optical systems, CT scanning, and 3D measurement. A broader incumbent with high-end dimensional metrology products, particularly in optical and CT-based inspection adjacent to Fowler's optical comparators and vision systems.

Emerging players

• Keyence Corporation: Japan-based leader in industrial sensors, measurement systems, and vision systems. Competes particularly against Fowler's hand tools, optical comparators, and vision measurement systems through aggressive innovation and direct sales model.

Others

• Sylvac: Swiss manufacturer of electronic measurement instruments and scan systems. Listed as a direct technology partner to Fowler, but also a competitor in electronic calipers, indicators, and Bluetooth-enabled measurement tools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Fowler_Co
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• Facebookfacebook.com/FowlerHighPrecision
• Instagraminstagram.com/fowler_co
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fred-v-fowler-company-inc-

Compliance3 records

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 Fowler High Precision