Taylor Forge Engineered Systems

What Taylor Forge Engineered Systems does

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems (TFES) designs and fabricates custom high-pressure separation and processing equipment for the oil and gas, aerospace, and defense markets. The company's core product portfolio centers on engineered gas-liquid separation: Finger/Harp Style Slug Catchers (the company's flagship product with 50+ years of application history), Vortex Tube and Vortex Cluster separators (cyclonic technology acquired from Vortex Technology in Canada), proprietary extruded outlet headers and manifolds (manufactured since the 1950s), high-pressure pressure vessels (up to 15,000 psi operating, 20,000 psi for offshore), pig launchers and receivers, and offshore platform equipment built from proprietary HSLA carbon steel materials. Specialized aerospace vessels meeting NASA specifications and a new line of shell-and-tube heat exchangers round out the offering.

The underlying technology rests on a proprietary extrusion process developed in the 1950s that produces low-stress, self-reinforced branch connections from a single piece of material with uniform grain structure, plus proprietary HSLA forging materials certified to MSS SP-75, CSA Z245.11, ASTM A-694, and API 6A for grades up to 80ksi yield strength. The company holds deep code expertise across ASME Section VIII Divisions 1, 2, and 3, ASME B31.3 and B31.8, API 5L/660/934E, NACE Region III for sour service, CSA Z662 for Canadian pipeline work, and NASA mechanical specifications, supported by in-house Level III inspection and a resident Authorized Inspection Agency.

TFES operates as a privately held, family-owned B2B fabricator (Kilkenny family, led by Mike Kilkenny) running three manufacturing facilities in Paola, Kansas (headquarters, ~250,000 sq. ft.), Greeley, Kansas (~23,000 sq. ft.), and Tulsa, Oklahoma (53,000 sq. ft., opened 2025 for heat transfer packages). Revenue is generated through project-based hardware sales with quote-based pricing tied to weight ($1.00-$7.00/lb depending on component), design pressure, materials, and code compliance. Sales are executed through a direct field sales force organized by US state, Canadian province, and international region, with global project execution across North America, the Middle East, South America, and Asia-Pacific. Long lead times (18-52 weeks depending on complexity) and multi-year contracts are characteristic.

Name

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems

Legal name

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems, inc

Website

https://tfes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems designs and fabricates custom high-pressure separation and processing equipment — slug catchers, vortex separators, extruded outlet headers, pressure vessels, pig launchers, and heat exchangers — for oil and gas, aerospace, and defense customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Pressure Equipment and Separation Systems

NAICS

Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324), Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (332410), Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333132)

SIC

Fabricated Plate Work (Boiler Shops) (3443)

akta.pro primary industry

Pressure Vessels, Columns & Storage Tanks (ASME/Process Vessels) (IMAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers) (IMAHAEAC), Oilfield Equipment Manufacturing & Supply (Wellheads, BOPs, Surface Equipment) (EUALABAL)

Keywords

• High-pressure separation equipment
• Slug catcher fabrication
• Extruded outlet headers
• Pressure vessel manufacturing
• Offshore oil and gas equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Paola

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Equipment Manufacturing: Taylor Forge designs and fabricates custom industrial equipment including slug catchers, pressure vessels, vortex separators, extruded headers, pig launchers/receivers, and offshore platform equipment. Revenue is generated through project-based orders for specific customer applications with pricing based on weight, design complexity, pressure ratings, and materials.
2. Aftermarket and Services: Provides replacement equipment, spare parts, and potentially field services for existing installations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems designs and fabricates custom high-pressure industrial equipment — including slug catchers, vortex separators, extruded outlet headers, pressure vessels, pig launchers and receivers, offshore platform equipment, aerospace vessels, and shell-and-tube heat exchangers — for the oil and gas, aerospace, defense, and offshore deepwater markets. The company operates its own engineering, metallurgical, fabrication, heat treatment, NDE testing, and QA/QC capabilities across facilities in Paola and Greeley, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Product overview

Taylor Forge Engineered Systems is a specialized industrial equipment manufacturer offering a portfolio of engineered products for the oil and gas, aerospace, and defense markets. The core product lineup centers on large-scale gas-liquid separation solutions including Slug Catchers (Finger/Harp Style), Vortex Separators (Vortex Tube and Vortex Cluster technologies), Extruded Outlet Headers and Manifolds, Pressure Vessels, Launchers & Receivers, Offshore Platform Equipment, and Heat Exchangers. The company differentiates through proprietary extrusion technology developed in the 1950s, advanced vortex cyclonic separation technology, and specialized high-pressure fabrication capabilities (up to 20,000 psi). Products are engineered for critical applications including pipeline separation, deepwater offshore operations, and NASA aerospace programs, with manufacturing facilities in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Slug Catchers (Finger / Harp Style) Finger or Harp Style Slug Catchers designed for bulk gas-liquid separation in pipelines, capable of handling large liquid slugs from pigging operations with storage capacities ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of barrels. Targeted at oil & gas operators and pipeline transmission companies.
• Vortex Separators Cyclonic separation technology including Vortex Tube and Vortex Cluster systems for high-efficiency liquid-solid and gas-liquid separation, achieving 99.9% removal of solids down to ≥0.3 microns and liquids down to ≥1–10 microns. Targeted at compressor stations, gas processing facilities, amine plants, and other process flow streams.
• Extruded Outlet Headers and Manifolds Self-reinforced branch connections formed by extruding outlets from cylinder walls, providing low-stress, fatigue-resistant construction with fully radiographable butt-welded connections. Designed for manifold systems serving oil & gas, aerospace, and defense applications.
• Pressure Vessels High-pressure vessels specializing in solutions up to 15,000 psi operating under ASME Section VIII Division 1 or Division 2 standards, supporting energy, offshore, and aerospace sectors. Targeted at energy operators, offshore platforms, and aerospace customers.
• Launchers & Receivers (Pig Traps) Pigging solutions for pipeline trap assemblies from 300 psi to 20,000 psi pressure ratings, designed for pipeline inspection and maintenance operations. Targeted at oil & gas pipeline transmission companies.
• Offshore Platform Equipment High-strength low alloy solutions for high-yield offshore applications up to 20,000 psi, including pigging technology for deepwater regions. Targeted at offshore and deepwater oil & gas operators.
• Aerospace Vessels High-pressure vessels fabricated to NASA specifications for aerospace applications, requiring high cleanliness standards and cyclic service capability. Targeted at NASA and aerospace customers.
• Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% removal of solids down to 0.3 microns and 99.9% removal of free liquids down to 1-10 microns with vortex technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Curtiss-Wright Corporation: Defense and nuclear-focused manufacturer of pressure vessels, reactor components, and high-pressure processing equipment serving NASA, the U.S. Navy, and DOE programs — closely comparable to TFES on aerospace/defense/nuclear pressure-vessel scope.
• Chart Industries: Specialty process equipment manufacturer serving LNG, gas processing, petrochemical, and aerospace end-markets, with a strong position in cryogenic and heat-transfer equipment — highly comparable to TFES on LNG, gas processing, and heat-exchanger scope.
• Holtec International: Heavy industrial fabricator of nuclear steam generators, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and spent-fuel storage systems — comparable to TFES on ASME-coded high-pressure vessels and nuclear qualification work.
• Babcock Power Inc. Designer and fabricator of utility and industrial heat-transfer equipment, including heat exchangers, HRSGs, and boilers — directly comparable to TFES on shell-and-tube heat exchangers and high-pressure ASME fabrication.
• Velan Inc. Manufacturer of industrial valves and fittings for severe-service applications in O&G, power, and chemicals — overlapping with TFES in forged-branch/header fittings and pressure-system components.
• IHI Inc. Japanese industrial manufacturer of boilers, power systems, and process equipment including pressure vessels and heat exchangers — directly comparable to TFES on high-pressure ASME fabrication and energy-sector scope.
• Optimus Industries: Specialty fabricator of ASME pressure vessels and process equipment serving refining, petrochemical, and gas processing end-markets — comparable mid-sized competitor in custom pressure-vessel fabrication.

Broad incumbents

• Mueller Industries: Diversified manufacturer of copper, brass, aluminum, and steel products including industrial fittings, pipe, and valves serving O&G, plumbing, and HVAC — broader incumbent that overlaps TFES in industrial fittings and O&G supply.
• SPX Technologies: Diversified industrial equipment maker serving HVAC, power, and O&G markets — broadly comparable to TFES in providing engineered process equipment, though it serves a wider portfolio and is larger.
• Flowserve Corporation: Global supplier of pumps, valves, seals, and flow-control equipment for oil & gas, power, and chemical industries — broader incumbent that overlaps TFES in upstream/midstream O&G production equipment supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7aP-vmEUVYlw8OfODpj37w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/taylor-forge-engineered-systems-inc-
• Xx.com/taylor_forge

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Taylor Forge Engineered Systems