FORNEY
Forney, founded in 1916 and based in Zelienople, PA, manufactures construction materials testing machines and the integrated ForneyVault CMT software platform, serving testing laboratories, material producers, construction firms, universities, and government agencies worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1916
- HeadquartersZelienople, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FORNEY does
Forney is a privately held, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of construction materials testing (CMT) machines, equipment, and software, founded in 1916 and operating today as Forney LP. The company designs and produces compression, flexural, universal, and specialty testing machines — including the F Series (up to 650,000 lb), FHS high-stiffness series (up to 1,000,000 lb, 3X–4X more rigid than conventional frames), and international metric series (up to 3,000 KN) — along with a broad catalogue of consumables and accessories across concrete, cement, aggregates, soils, and asphalt categories. Its core software platform, ForneyVault (US Patent No. 11,061,041), integrates machines with field and office workflows through the ForneyField mobile app, ForneyLink machine interface, and ForneyTools reporting/approval module, with a LIMS API and automated VFD controls (also available as a Retropak retrofit for non-Forney machines).
The company makes money through a hybrid model: direct enterprise sales of machines and software subscriptions (quote-based, recurring), an e-commerce storefront for accessories and smaller buyers, fee-based repair and refurbishment services, and a financing channel through partner Civista Leasing & Finance. Forney serves a diversified set of customer segments — testing laboratories, material producers (pre-casters, block, cement, aggregate suppliers), construction companies, civil engineering firms, universities, state DOTs and government agencies, and energy companies requiring proppant testing — with a global sales and service network and multilingual support. Claims of operational impact include 99.9%+ reduction in manual errors and 66%+ productivity gains from connected CMT machines, and ForneyVault references over 12,000 ASTM standards. Strategic momentum is concentrated in software platform expansion (ForneyVault modules, LIMS API), geographic outreach (Spanish-language site, Latin American named customers), and channel partnerships (Civista financing, Giatec sensors).
FORNEY firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FORNEY
- Legal name
- Forney LP
- Website
- https://forneyonline.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1916
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Forney, founded in 1916 and based in Zelienople, PA, manufactures construction materials testing machines and the integrated ForneyVault CMT software platform, serving testing laboratories, material producers, construction firms, universities, and government agencies worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where FORNEY is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zelienople
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
FORNEY business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Testing Machine Sales: Sale of compression, flexural, universal, and specialty testing machines. Products include F Series standard machines, FHS high stiffness machines, and international metric machines with capacities from 30,000lb to 3,000KN.
- Equipment & Accessories Sales: Sale of construction materials testing equipment and accessories including concrete testing supplies, cement testing equipment, aggregates, sieves, soils, asphalt, and lab equipment through e-commerce storefront.
- ForneyVault Software Subscription: Monthly or yearly subscription for CMT software platform with modules including ForneyField, Forne yLink, and ForneyTools. Unlimited technical phone support for subscribers.
- Repair & Maintenance Services: Preventive maintenance and repair services for testing equipment including air meters, rollers, moisture testers, and test hammers. Pricing from $90-$179 plus parts.
- Machine Refurbishment: Factory repair team provides refurbishment services including pump/valve rebuilds, digital upgrades, and calibration for testing machines.
- Technical Support Services: Remote technical support services at $150 per occurrence for non-subscribers. Unlimited remote support included with ForneyVault subscriptions during warranty and post-warranty.
- Equipment Financing: Partnership with Civista Leasing & Finance offering flexible leasing and financing solutions including commercial loans, master lease lines, operating leases, and TRAC leases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Roller Meters preventive maintenance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Moisture Testers preventive maintenance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Test Hammers preventive maintenance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Air Meters preventive maintenance |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Remote Technical Support (non-subscribers) |
| Subscription | Monthly | ForneyVault Subscription |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment Financing Options |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
FORNEY product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forney manufactures and sells construction materials testing (CMT) machines and equipment, including compression, flexural, universal, and specialty testing machines, along with related accessories and consumables for concrete, cement, aggregates, soils, and asphalt testing. The company also offers the ForneyVault software platform that integrates testing machines with field and office workflows, plus repair, calibration, refurbishment, and financing services.
Product overview
Forney is the leading manufacturer of construction materials testing machines and equipment, offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on testing machines, software, and accessories. The core product line includes compression testing machines (F Series and FHS Series in standard and high-stiffness configurations), flexural testing machines (LA Series), universal testing machines (LT Series), and specialty custom machines. ForneyVault serves as the integrated CMT software platform connecting field, lab and office operations with three modules: ForneyField for mobile field data capture, ForneyLink for machine interface connectivity enabling automated testing, and ForneyTools for data management and approval workflows. Automatic testing capabilities are delivered through Forney VFD controls, available either as built-in on new machines or via the Retropak retrofit kit for existing manual machines. The product portfolio extends to comprehensive testing supplies and accessories across concrete, cement, aggregates, soils, asphalt and lab equipment categories, supported by calibration, repair, and financing services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ForneyVault: Machine-integrated construction materials testing (CMT) software platform that automates testing and reporting workflow from field to lab to office
- ForneyField
- ForneyLink
- ForneyTools
- Retropak
- Forney VFD
- Forney
Products and services
- F Series Compression Machines (F-250, F-325, F-450, F-650) Standard compression testing machines with load capacities up to 650,000lb for testing concrete cylinders, cubes, blocks, and prisms, available with manual, automatic, or connected control options.
- FHS Series High Stiffness Compression Machines
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.9%+ fewer manual errors with Connected CMT Machines
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use FORNEY
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FORNEY technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
FORNEY partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FORNEY competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Instron: Instron manufactures compression, tensile, and universal materials testing machines, competing directly with FORNEY in mechanical testing equipment for construction materials, metals, and composites. Both sell globally into testing labs and engineering firms.
- MTS Systems: MTS Systems provides mechanical testing and simulation systems, including compression and fatigue testing machines used in civil engineering and construction materials testing. Strong overlap with FORNEY's core compression and specialty machine offerings.
- Shimadzu Scientific Instruments: Shimadzu manufactures universal testing machines and material testing instruments used in construction materials, metals, and civil engineering labs. Direct competitor in compression, flexural, and tensile testing equipment.
- Tinius Olsen: Tinius Olsen designs and manufactures materials testing machines including compression, tension, and flexural systems for construction materials, metals, and polymers. Closely competes with FORNEY's F-series and FHS-series compression machines.
- Humboldt Mfg. Co. Humboldt manufactures construction materials testing equipment for concrete, cement, soils, and asphalt, along with testing machines. Direct competitor to FORNEY in the CMT lab equipment and accessories market.
- Gilson Company, Inc. Gilson supplies construction materials testing equipment including sieves, screens, sample splitters, and concrete/soil testing apparatus. Highly comparable to FORNEY's accessories catalog and lab equipment business.
- ELE International: ELE International designs and manufactures construction materials testing equipment for concrete, cement, soils, and aggregates testing. Direct peer to FORNEY's compression machines and laboratory equipment portfolio.
- ZwickRoell: ZwickRoell produces universal testing machines for metals, composites, and construction materials, with automation and software platforms analogous to ForneyVault. Comparable in product, automation, and global service model.
Emerging players
- Hegewald & Peschke Meß- und Prüftechnik GmbH: Hegewald & Peschke is a German manufacturer of materials testing machines for metals, plastics, and construction materials. Comparable mid-size competitor in the European compression/universal testing market.
Broad incumbents
- Illinois Tool Works (parent of Instron): Illinois Tool Works owns Instron and operates a diversified portfolio of industrial testing and measurement businesses. As a multi-billion-dollar parent of a direct competitor, ITW represents the broad incumbent context for FORNEY's market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FORNEY compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
FORNEY financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FORNEY leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FORNEY funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FORNEY 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 FORNEY
What does FORNEY do?
Forney manufactures and sells construction materials testing (CMT) machines and equipment, including compression, flexural, universal, and specialty testing machines, along with related accessories and consumables for concrete, cement, aggregates, soils, and asphalt testing. The company also offers the ForneyVault software platform that integrates testing machines with field and office workflows, plus repair, calibration, refurbishment, and financing services.
Is FORNEY a public or private company?
FORNEY is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FORNEY founded?
FORNEY was founded in 1916. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FORNEY based?
FORNEY is headquartered in Zelienople, United States, in the North America region.
How does FORNEY make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Testing Machine Sales are the primary driver. The others are equipment & Accessories Sales, forneyVault Software Subscription, repair & Maintenance Services, machine Refurbishment, technical Support Services and equipment Financing.
Who are FORNEY's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Instron, MTS Systems, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Tinius Olsen, Humboldt Mfg. Co., Gilson Company, Inc., ELE International and ZwickRoell. Hegewald & Peschke Meß- und Prüftechnik GmbH is listed as an emerging player. Illinois Tool Works (parent of Instron) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does FORNEY have an API?
Yes. ForneyVault service includes an API that allows third-party LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) to access the service. The API enables LIMS to read or write data on the ForneyVault platform. Using this method of accessing the ForneyVault service may result in the sharing of user PII with the LIMS.