What Applied Test Systems does

Applied Test Systems (ATS), founded in 1965 in Butler, Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures materials testing equipment and process heating systems for industrial, research, and quality-control laboratories worldwide. The company's core product portfolio includes the proprietary SIGMA Testing System with WinCCS control software for creep/stress rupture testing; universal testing machines (900, 1100, and 1600 Series); asphalt/bitumen testing equipment such as BBR, PAV, RTFO, and VDO; pressure and pipe testing equipment sold under the HGI LAB brand; and a process heating line spanning furnaces up to 1800°C, ovens from -185°C to 620°C, and ceramic heating elements. Following the October 2025 acquisition of JATCO Machine & Tool, ATS expanded into injection mold tooling and the proprietary RCO (Rapid Change Over) mold system for specimen preparation.

ATS operates a direct sales-led go-to-market model, with US outside field sales engineers covering defined territories and a global network of sales agents spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North and South America. Revenue is generated primarily through capital equipment sales (hardware) with quote-based pricing on custom configurations, supplemented by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration services (A2LA certificate 2132.01), installation, training, repairs, and a secondary reconditioned equipment channel. Customers span materials testing laboratories, highway construction and asphalt PG grading labs, industrial process heating facilities, biomedical spine research institutions, and plastics/polymer compounders. Manufacturing is conducted at ATS's ISO 9001:2015-accredited Butler, PA facility and the acquired ATS JATCO, LLC facility in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is privately held with no disclosed venture or private equity backing.

Name

Applied Test Systems

Legal name

Applied Test Systems

Website

https://atspa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Applied Test Systems is a privately held industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1965 in Butler, Pennsylvania, producing materials testing systems (creep/stress rupture, universal, asphalt, pressure/pipe) and process heating equipment (furnaces, ovens) for research, QC, and industrial laboratories worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Materials Testing Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Materials testing equipment
• Creep stress rupture testing
• Universal testing machines
• Lab furnaces ovens
• Asphalt binder testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Butler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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. Materials Testing Equipment Sales: Primary revenue stream from manufacturing and selling materials testing equipment including creep/stress rupture testers, universal testing machines, asphalt testing equipment, pressure testing systems, and accessories. Equipment is sold as standard products or custom-designed solutions.
2. Process Heating Equipment Sales: Sale of furnaces, ovens, and heating elements for laboratory and industrial process heating applications. Products range from standard sizes to custom configurations up to 1800°C.
3. Service and Support: Revenue from calibration services (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited), installation, repairs, training, and technical support. Service department provides both onsite and in-field support globally.
4. Reconditioned Equipment Sales: Sale of refurbished/reconditioned testing equipment as a secondary revenue stream, offering equipment at various price points with different warranty options.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Applied Test Systems (ATS) manufactures materials testing equipment including creep/stress rupture testers, universal testing machines, asphalt/concrete testing systems, pressure/pipe testing systems, drop-weight impact testers, and biomechanical spine test systems. The company also produces process heating equipment consisting of laboratory furnaces (up to 1800°C), industrial ovens (-185°C to 620°C), and ceramic heating elements. ATS supports its equipment with ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration, installation, training, and repair services, and provides proprietary SIGMA WinCCS control software for automated test control and data acquisition.

Product overview

Applied Test Systems (ATS) manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of materials testing equipment and process heating solutions. The core product line includes SIGMA Testing Systems with WinCCS software for creep/stress rupture testing, Universal Testing Machines (900/1100/1600 Series), and specialized testing equipment for asphalt/bitumen, sealants, pressure/pipe, impact, biomedical, and additional applications. Process heating products span lab furnaces (3000/3300/3400 Series up to 1800°C), ovens (Series 3700), and ceramic heating elements. Following the 2025 acquisition of JATCO Machine & Tool, the portfolio expanded to include injection mold specimen preparation systems with proprietary RCO technology. Products are backed by ISO 17025 accredited calibration, installation, training, and repair services. The company operates from Butler, Pennsylvania with global sales reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SIGMA Testing System: Automated system for creep, stress rupture, constant strain, and stress relaxation testing, utilizing SIGMA WinCCS control software.
• PYRO-CLEAN
• RCO (Rapid Change Over)
• HGI LAB

Products and services

• SIGMA Testing System Automated system for creep, stress rupture, constant strain, and stress relaxation testing. Features SIGMA WinCCS control software with third-generation SIGMA controller and backwards compatibility with previous controllers and data.
• SIGMA Electro-Mechanical Test Systems (2600 Series) Compact electro-mechanical test systems with SIGMA WinCCS controls for stress rupture, creep, stress relaxation, hydrogen embrittlement, creep crack growth, slow strain rate, and compression testing.
• SIGMA Lever Arm Test Systems Reliable lever arm test systems for creep, stress rupture, stress relaxation, hydrogen embrittlement, creep crack growth, and compression tests with SIGMA WinCCS integration.
• SIGMA Standard Weight Testers Direct load test systems for long-term creep and stress rupture testing available in various capacities and configurations with SIGMA WinCCS.
• PLC Lever Arm Test Systems Affordable precision mechanical test systems using PLC integration for controlled, repeatable forces, suitable for F519 testing applications including hydrogen embrittlement with furnace capabilities.
• 900 Series Universal Testing Machines (905/910) Compact bench-top single screw UTMs with capacities up to 5,000 lbs (905) and 10,000 lbs (910) for tension, compression, and flexure tests.
• 1100 Series Universal Testing Machines Dual screw UTMs with frame-mounted touch screen for tension, compression, shear, and flexure testing, with multiple models available for diverse testing applications.
• 1600 Series Universal Testing Machines Computer-controlled dual screw UTMs with capacities up to 300 kN (67,440 lb) using TestVue software, built for complex or repetitive testing with maximum durability and repeatability.
• Series 510/530/540 Sealant Testers Horizontal and vertical sealant testers simulating expansion and contraction of sealant joints, roofing, and asphalt sealant under extreme heat and freezing conditions.
• HGI LAB Pressure/Pipe Testing Equipment Burst testers, hydrostatic testers, and tension/compression testers for plastic pipe meeting ASTM D1598 and D1599 requirements.
• Drop Weight Impact Testers Ruggedized impact testers for plastics, composites, and alloys meeting ASTM D2444, ASTM 7136, ISO 3127, ISO 18352 standards.
• Series FS20/ST21 Biomechanical Spine Test Systems Biomechanical test systems for flexion/extension, lateral bending, and torsion testing of cadaveric spine specimens in physiological loading conditions.
• Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR2S/BBR3S) Flexural testing systems for asphalt binder/bitumen per AASHTO T 313, ASTM D6648, and Superpave PG grading specifications.
• Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV4) Simulates in-service oxidative aging of asphalt binder through elevated temperatures and pressurized environment; CE certified meeting AASHTO R28 and ASTM D6521 standards.
• Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO/RTFO Touch) Simulates short-term aging of asphalt binder per ASTM D2872, AASHTO T240, EN 12607, and Superpave standards.
• Vacuum Degassing Oven (VDO/VDO Touch) Removes air bubbles created during PAV oxidative aging of asphalt binder, meeting AASHTO R28, ASTM D6521, and EN 14769 standards.
• Pyro-Clean Series Fully automated heat cleaning oven for cleaning testing supplies and plastic injection molds without mess, hazard, or inconvenience.
• 3000 Series Lab Furnaces (Up to 1200°C) Tube, split-tube, box and split-box furnaces with custom thermal zoning, Nichrome or Kanthal A1 heating elements, and stainless-steel construction, up to 1200°C.
• 3400 Series Silicon Carbide Furnaces (Up to 1540°C) Tube and box furnaces with silicon carbide heating elements for steady heat-up processes up to 2800°F (1540°C).
• 3300 Series High-Temperature Furnaces (Up to 1800°C) High-temperature furnaces with Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) heating elements for rapid heat-up up to 3272°F (1800°C).
• Series 3700 Standard Ovens (-155°C to 425°C) Box and split-box ovens with stainless steel construction for reliable performance from -155°C to 425°C (-250°F to 800°F).
• Series 3700HT High-Temperature Ovens (-185°C to 620°C) High-temperature ovens with double insulation for temperatures from -185°C to 620°C (-300°F to 1150°F).
• Ceramic Heating Elements Ceramic process heating elements in various shapes, sizes, and temperature ranges, with custom elements available for other manufacturers' furnaces.
• JATCO Test Specimen Molds ASTM and ISO test specimen molds, spiral flow molds, color chip molds, and impact plaque molds, including the proprietary RCO (Rapid Change Over) system for 8-second mold changes.
• Ultrasonic Calibration Standards Extensive line of calibration test blocks including ASME, ASTM, IIW, NAVSHIPS types with NIST traceability and certification.
• Coke Testing System (CRI & CSR) Complete Coke Strength After Reaction system including tube furnace, reaction vessel, temperature control, and tumbler for CRI and CSR testing.
• Hot Modulus of Rupture (HMOR) 3-point bend test system for characterizing refractory materials flexural strength at elevated temperatures per ASTM C583.
• Calibration Services (ISO 17025) A2LA accredited (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) calibration services for ATS equipment and other manufacturers, ensuring NIST traceability, with Certificate number 2132.01.
• Installation, Training, and Repair Services On-site installation, training, and repair services for ATS equipment and other manufacturers worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• RCO mold system enables up to 30 mold changes in an 8-hour shift
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• JATCO Machine & ToolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2025Applied Test Systems acquired JATCO Machine & Tool, a Pittsburgh-based company serving resin producers, compounders, and custom color suppliers for nearly a half century. JATCO specializes in precision test specimen molds including ASTM and ISO molds, spiral flow molds, color chip molds, and their proprietary RCO (Rapid Change Over) mold system.
• HGIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2023Partnership with HGI for pressure and pipe testing equipment. HGI LAB products include burst testers, hydrostatic testers, and tension/compression testers for plastic pipe testing applications meeting ASTM D1598 and D1599 standards.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ADMET: ADMET designs and manufactures materials testing systems (eMTest, eXpert series universal testing machines and pressure testing systems). It is comparable to ATS as a mid-sized, privately held U.S. testing equipment maker serving similar lab customers.
• MTS Systems: MTS Systems is a major manufacturer of materials testing and simulation equipment, including hydraulic and electromechanical test frames for static/fatigue testing. It competes with ATS in creep, fatigue, and high-force testing applications across aerospace, automotive and biomedical customers.
• Zwick Roell: Zwick Roell Group is a leading European manufacturer of materials testing machines and hardness testers for metals, plastics, composites and components. It is comparable to ATS across UTM, creep/stress rupture and asphalt/bitumen test systems.
• Tinius Olsen: Tinius Olsen is a long-established U.S. maker of universal testing machines, impact testers and extrusion plastometers, directly comparable to ATS's testing portfolio. Both supply ASTM-compliant mechanical testing equipment into materials, plastics, and metals laboratories.
• Instron: Instron is the largest manufacturer of universal testing machines and materials testing systems, directly competing with ATS's 900/1100/1600 UTM series and SIGMA creep/stress rupture product lines. Both sell into labs requiring ASTM/ISO-compliant tensile, compression, flexure and stress rupture testing.
• Hegewald & Peschke: Hegewald & Peschke is a German manufacturer of materials testing machines, including universal, fatigue and creep testing systems for metals and composites. Comparable to ATS in the niche of custom-configured, standards-aligned mechanical test systems for industrial and research labs.
• Mecmesin: Mecmesin makes force and materials testing equipment for quality control and production environments, including universal testers and pull/pressure testers. Comparable to ATS in lower-force mechanical testing and accessories for QC labs.

Broad incumbents

• Shimadzu: Shimadzu is a large Japanese instrument maker with a broad testing/measurement portfolio spanning analytical, universal testing and hardness testers. It overlaps with ATS in universal/tensile testing and asphalt testing but as one product line among many.
• Ametek: Ametek is a diversified electronic instruments and electromechanical devices group, including brands supplying materials testing, calibration and process heating equipment. It overlaps with ATS in industrial measurement, calibration, and high-temperature process heating as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Buehler (ITW): Buehler, an Illinois Tool Works business, supplies materials preparation and hardness testing equipment for metallographic labs. It is adjacent to ATS through shared metals testing customers and complementary sample-prep / hardness testing offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/appliedtest
• Facebookfacebook.com/applied-test-systems-692685094210876
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/applied-test-systems

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Applied Test Systems