Forté Products
Forté Products is a privately held custom plastics and fiberglass molding manufacturer operating four Midwest facilities, serving OEMs across agriculture, marine, defense, fuel retail, airline, and water/waste industries through rotational, injection, thermoform, and fiberglass processes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Forté Products does
Forté Products is a privately held custom plastics and fiberglass manufacturer that operates four molding processes — rotational, injection, thermoform, and fiberglass (open and closed/LRTM) — across three production facilities in Missouri and Kansas and a corporate headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Originally founded in the 1950s as National Plastics and transitioned to the Forté Products name after a 2005 acquisition, the company has scaled through two major transactions: the 2005 acquisition of The Molding Company (Farmington, MO plant, doubling size) and the 2017 acquisition of Charloma, Inc. (three Kansas plants, tripling size and adding fiberglass capability). Brad Robertson assumed full ownership in 2023, completing the transition to second-generation family ownership.
The company serves a diversified industrial OEM base across agricultural equipment (notably AGCO, where Forté earned 2021 Supplier of the Year), marine and defense (Brunswick/Lund VEER V13, U.S. Navy boats, Disneyland ride boats), commercial waste handling, water and fertilizer tanks, airline, poultry, and recreational vehicles. It also maintains brand-approved forecourt product programs for six major fuel retailers — Arco, BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, and Valero — including All-In-One Service Centers, waste units, cigarette disposers, and windshield washer stations. A secondary catalog of standardized, readily available rotationally molded products (waste containers, dunnage racks, ice chests, safety products, playground borders) is sold alongside the custom work.
The business model is quote-based custom manufacturing augmented by a standardized product catalog. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers contact the company directly and speak with the Operations and Engineering team, including the VP Operations who personally handles enterprise inquiries — there is no traditional field sales force. The company runs marketing through trade shows (NACS, ARM), a corporate website, and direct customer relationships rather than digital demand generation. Certifications include ISO 9001:2015, NSF (for dunnage racks), and UL approval for certain airline industry containers, and the company maintains in-house mold and tooling fabrication supporting its turn-key scope from design through secondary assembly.
Forté Products firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forté Products
- Legal name
- Forté Products
- Website
- https://forteproducts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Forté Products is a privately held custom plastics and fiberglass molding manufacturer operating four Midwest facilities, serving OEMs across agriculture, marine, defense, fuel retail, airline, and water/waste industries through rotational, injection, thermoform, and fiberglass processes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forté Products industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Plastic and Fiberglass Molding Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261), Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)
- SIC
- Plastics Products, Nec (3089)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Machinery Injection Molded Components (Gears, Wear Parts) (IMANAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Consumer Products Injection Molding (Housewares, Toys, Personal Care) (IMANAFAE)
Keywords
Where Forté Products is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Forté Products business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Molding Services: Custom plastic and fiberglass molding services for OEM customers across multiple industries. Customers provide designs and Forté manufactures parts to specifications. Services include rotational molding, injection molding, thermoform molding, and fiberglass molding with secondary assembly.
- Readily Available Products: Standardized rotationally molded plastic products available for immediate purchase including waste containers, dunnage racks, cigarette disposers, ice chests, playground borders, and safety equipment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom Molding - Quote Based |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Readily Available Products - Not Listed |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Forté Products product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forté Products manufactures custom plastic and fiberglass molded parts for OEM customers using four molding processes—Rotational Molding, Injection Molding, Thermoform Molding, and Fiberglass Molding—supported by in-house mold fabrication and secondary assembly. The company also sells a standardized catalog of readily available, rotationally molded plastic products (waste containers, dunnage racks, cigarette disposers, ice chests, safety items, and playground borders) and brand-approved forecourt products for major fuel retailers including Arco, BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, and Valero.
Product overview
Forté Products is a custom plastic and fiberglass molding manufacturer offering five core manufacturing capabilities: Rotational Molding, Injection Molding, Thermoform Molding, Fiberglass Molding, and Secondary Assembly. The company operates four manufacturing facilities across Kansas and Missouri totaling significant square footage, including a 160,000 sq ft injection molding facility and a 50,000 sq ft fiberglass plant. Forté serves industries including agriculture, airline, architectural lighting, boat & marine, commercial cleaning, commercial trucking, electric utility, lawn care, medical, playgrounds & parks, poultry facilities, recreational vehicles, waste collection, water & fertilizer tanks, and water treatment. The company also manufactures readily available, rotationally molded plastic products including waste containers, windshield valets, dunnage racks, cigarette disposers, ice/beverage chests, safety products, and playground borders. Additionally, Forté provides brand-approved forecourt products for major fuel retailers including Arco, BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, and Valero (including Valero Vanguard brand), featuring All-In-One Service Centers, waste units, cigarette disposers, and replacement accessories in brand-specific colors and configurations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rotational Molding Custom rotational molding service producing hollow plastic parts by rotating heated molds to evenly distribute material; equipment capable of molding tanks from 10 gallons to 1500 gallons using LLDPE, HDPE, and XLPE materials. Sold to OEM customers across multiple industries.
- Injection Molding High-volume injection molding service from a 160,000 sq ft facility with machines ranging from 80T to 1600T and shot sizes up to 280 oz, supported by robotic cells for precise in-mold labeling and on-site warehousing.
- Thermoform Molding Thermoform molding service utilizing three techniques—Vacuum, Pressure, and Twin Sheet—on machines handling sheet sizes up to 60" x 96", with ABS, HMPE, TPO, and Polycarbonate materials and 5-axis CNC capabilities.
- Fiberglass Molding Turn-key custom fiberglass molding from a 50,000 sq ft plant using both Open and Closed (LRTM) processes with in-house mold/tooling fabrication, Class-A finish capability, and expertise in marine, engine cowlings, and agriculture applications.
- Secondary Assembly Secondary assembly operations including kit assembly, brackets, hinges, doors, lids, locks, and foam filling to deliver finished, ready-to-install products to OEM customers.
- Waste and Windshield Products Readily available rotationally molded outdoor waste containers and windshield valets made from high-grade polyethylene, available in 35- to 42-gallon sizes and multiple configurations (top access, tray top, drawer access).
- Dunnage Racks, Merchandisers and Displays One-piece commercial-grade plastic storage racks with up to 4,000 lb capacity, NSF approved, operating range -20°F to 180°F, available in sizes from 18" x 22" to 60" x 22".
- Cigarette Disposers Stand-alone weighted cigarette disposal units with galvanized steel self-extinguishing inner sleeves, available in black, brown, and gray.
- Ice and Beverage Chests FDA-approved rotationally molded plastic beverage chests with inner foam insulation to keep ice frozen, 295-quart capacity, on casters with side spigot for ease of use.
- Replacements and Accessories Exact-match replacement parts and accessories for Forté products, including waste liners, contour lids, towel trays, buckets, squeegees, and mounting kits.
- Safety Products Safety Data Sheet (SDS) displays and spill kit stations designed for shop floor environments, in free-standing and wall-mount configurations.
- Playground and Landscape Borders Weatherproof and UV-protected heavy-duty polyethylene border rails and accessories for playgrounds, with 4-foot and 6-foot lengths plus transition units, end caps, end plugs, and galvanized stakes.
- Fuel Retailer Brand-Approved Forecourt Products Brand-approved forecourt product lines for Arco, BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, Valero, and Valero Vanguard, including All-In-One Service Centers, open-top waste units, drawer access waste units, cigarette disposers, windshield washer units, CSU (Convenience Service Units), and Convenience Plus Waste/Windshield Stations in fuel-retailer-specific colors and configurations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Maintained product shipments throughout pandemic supply chain disruptions, leading to 2021 Supplier of the Year award from AGCO ($5B manufacturer)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Forté Products
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Forté Products technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Forté Products partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AGCOcoreAGCO awarded Forté Products Supplier of the Year 2021 for maintaining product shipments throughout pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. AGCO is a $5B manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Forté serves AGCO's plastic and fiberglass molding needs for tanks, shrouds, housings, covers, consoles and liners.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Forté Products competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tank Holding Corp: Largest North American rotational molder of plastic tanks and containers, serving agricultural, industrial, and water storage markets. Direct peer for Forté's water & fertilizer tank and large-format rotational molding business.
- Myers Industries: NYSE-listed manufacturer of plastic and metal products including rotational molding, material handling, and custom plastic components. Directly comparable as a multi-process custom plastics manufacturer serving similar OEM end markets like material handling, automotive, and industrial.
- Rehrig Pacific: Family-owned manufacturer of rotationally molded recycling and waste containers plus custom plastic pallets and material handling solutions. Comparable scale and process, with overlapping customers in waste collection and C-store/forecourt channels.
- Custom-Pak: Privately held custom rotational molder producing large-format plastic parts and assemblies. Highly comparable process overlap (rotational molding focus) and similar customer base in industrial OEM applications.
- Roto Plastics: Specialty rotational molder focused on large plastic tanks and industrial containers (10-1,500+ gallon range). Overlaps directly with Forté's rotational molding tank production for water, fertilizer, and industrial liquid storage.
- Continental Commercial Products (Toter): Manufacturer of rotationally molded waste and recycling carts plus material handling products. Direct peer for Forté's waste collection and dunnage rack product lines and their rotationally molded consumer/industrial products.
- EVCO Plastics: Privately held custom injection molder with multiple facilities serving industrial OEM customers across consumer goods, medical, and industrial markets. Directly comparable as a multi-facility custom injection molder with similar GTM to OEM clients.
- Tessy Plastics: Large privately held custom injection molder with broad process capabilities and multiple U.S. facilities. Comparable as a multi-facility custom plastics manufacturer serving medical, industrial, and consumer OEM customers.
Broad incumbents
- IPL Plastics: Multi-national rigid plastics packaging and custom molding platform serving consumer, industrial, and agricultural markets. Overlaps with Forté's injection molding and rotational molding businesses but operates at significantly greater scale with broader geographic reach.
- OPmobility (formerly Plastic Omnium): Global tier-1 supplier of plastic and composite components to automotive and industrial OEMs. Broader incumbent competing for similar custom plastics programs but at much greater scale and focused primarily on automotive end markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forté Products social profiles
Digital presenceForté Products compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Forté Products financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forté Products leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forté Products funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forté Products M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forté Products
What does Forté Products do?
Forté Products manufactures custom plastic and fiberglass molded parts for OEM customers using four molding processes—Rotational Molding, Injection Molding, Thermoform Molding, and Fiberglass Molding—supported by in-house mold fabrication and secondary assembly. The company also sells a standardized catalog of readily available, rotationally molded plastic products (waste containers, dunnage racks, cigarette disposers, ice chests, safety items, and playground borders) and brand-approved forecourt products for major fuel retailers including Arco, BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, and Valero.
Is Forté Products a public or private company?
Forté Products is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Forté Products founded?
Forté Products was founded in 1950. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Forté Products based?
Forté Products is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Forté Products make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Molding Services are the primary driver. The others are readily Available Products.
Who are Forté Products's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tank Holding Corp, Myers Industries, Rehrig Pacific, Custom-Pak, Roto Plastics, Continental Commercial Products (Toter), EVCO Plastics and Tessy Plastics. Broad incumbents are IPL Plastics and OPmobility (formerly Plastic Omnium).
Does Forté Products have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forté Products.
What industry is Forté Products in?
Forté Products's product category is Custom Plastic and Fiberglass Molding Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAFAF, Industrial & Machinery Injection Molded Components (Gears, Wear Parts), with a secondary code of IMANAFAE, Consumer Products Injection Molding (Housewares, Toys, Personal Care). Its NAICS code is 3261 and its SIC code is 3089.