Lister Chain & Forge

What Lister Chain & Forge does

Lister Chain & Forge, Inc. is a privately held U.S. manufacturer founded in 1911 and headquartered in Blaine, Washington, specializing in large-diameter anchor chain, buoy mooring chain, marine chain fittings, and anchors for defense and commercial maritime applications. Its core products include stud link anchor chain (9/16" through 4" diameters), buoy mooring chains (3/4" through 4" diameters), and anchors weighing 1,500 to 40,000 pounds, all manufactured through a 10-step process that combines resistance heating, hydraulic forming, flash butt welding, and a two-stage heat treatment, with every link proof-tested in an on-site 3 million pound testing pit. The firm holds ABS, MIL-C-24633, FM3, ORQ, and Lloyds certifications and supplies the majority of U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard new ship construction along with commercial shipyards that build ABS-class vessels.

The company operates a direct enterprise sales model: customers engage via website contact form or phone, receive custom quote-based pricing, and procure through project-based orders tied to specific vessel construction programs. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of chains, anchors, and fittings, plus professional services revenue from chain testing and inspection (proof/break testing up to 3 million pounds, magnetic particle, ultrasound, and dye penetrant inspection). Customer segments are split between U.S. government (Navy, Coast Guard) and commercial shipyards, with a long-standing relationship with Bath Iron Works dating to the first Department of Defense contract in 1985. Marketing is minimal, relying on direct sales and brand heritage ("American-made, built to last") rather than digital channels, and the firm employs 1-10 people with a small, specialized leadership team.

Name

Lister Chain & Forge

Legal name

Lister Chain & Forge, Inc.

Website

https://listerchain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lister Chain & Forge is a U.S. manufacturer of large-diameter anchor chain, buoy mooring chain, anchors, and marine fittings, supplying the majority of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard new ship construction and commercial shipyards with certified, American-made products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Chain Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Deck Fittings & Hardware (Bitts, Fairleads, Cleats, Anchors & Chains) (IMAJAIAK)

Keywords

• Marine chain manufacturing
• Anchor chain production
• Buoy mooring chain
• Marine fittings fabrication
• Chain testing inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Blaine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marine Chain Sales: One-time hardware sales of large diameter anchor chain, buoy mooring chain, and marine chain fittings. Products include stud link anchor chain (9/16" through 4" diameters), buoy mooring chains (3/4" through 4" diameters), and anchors (1,500 through 40,000 pounds). Revenue is generated through direct project-based orders from government and commercial customers.
2. Chain Testing and Inspection Services: Professional services including proof and break testing (up to 3 million pounds), magnetic particle inspection, ultrasound inspection, and die penetrant inspection. Each test comes with complete certification documentation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Lister Chain & Forge manufactures large diameter stud link anchor chains (9/16" through 4" diameters), buoy mooring chains (3/4" through 4" diameters), anchors (1,500 through 40,000 pounds), and a complete line of marine chain fittings (detachable links, shackles, swivels, chain stoppers) for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and commercial shipyards. The company also provides chain testing and inspection services including proof testing up to 3 million pounds, magnetic particle inspection, and ultrasound inspection.

Product overview

Lister Chain & Forge is a manufacturer of marine chain, anchors, and fittings offering a portfolio of stud link anchor chains, buoy mooring chains, marine chain fittings, and anchors. The company also provides chain testing and inspection services. These products are used primarily for US Navy and Coast Guard vessels, commercial ship mooring systems, and maritime applications. The core product line consists of stud link anchor chain (9/16" to 4" diameters) and buoy mooring chain (3/4" to 4" diameters), complemented by fittings (detachable links, shackles, swivels, chain stoppers) and anchors (1,500 to 40,000 lbs). The testing services support the main product portfolio with proof testing, magnetic particle inspection, and ultrasound inspection capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stud Link Anchor Chain Stud link anchor chains manufactured to meet and exceed requirements for the United States Navy and commercial ship mooring systems. Available from 9/16" through 4" diameters with certifications including ABS, MIL-C-24633, FM3, ORQ, and Lloyds.
• Buoy Mooring Chain Buoy mooring chains produced for the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and ABS vessels. Available in open link or studded configurations, ranging from 3/4" through 4" diameters.
• Marine Chain Fittings Complete line of marine fittings including detachable chain connecting links, chain stoppers, swivels, shackles, and other marine hardware.
• Anchors Anchors meeting exact military and commercial specifications with weights from 1,500 through 40,000 pounds. Available styles include Stockless, USN Stockless, Lightweight, Balanced Fluke, AC14, and Snug Stowing.
• Chain Testing and Inspection Services Comprehensive testing and inspection services including proof and break testing (up to 3 million pounds load), magnetic particle inspection, and certified ultrasound and die penetrant inspection for chains, anchors, and fittings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every link of chain is proof-tested before shipping
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• MacGregor (Cargotec): Marine cargo and load handling equipment supplier part of Cargotec, serving commercial shipping and offshore. Broader incumbent that overlaps with Lister in marine equipment outfitting for shipyards, but does not specialize in chain/anchor products.
• Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure: Marine infrastructure solutions provider including mooring systems and docking equipment. Adjacent to Lister's buoy mooring chain business, but offers a broader portfolio including fenders, floating docks, and seawall solutions.
• Konecranes: Global lifting equipment and material handling company with marine and port crane offerings. Adjacent incumbent serving shipyards and ports, but focused on lifting equipment rather than chain and anchor products.

Direct peers

• Vryhof Anchors: Netherlands-based specialist in marine anchors and mooring equipment for offshore and commercial vessels. Direct peer in the marine anchor product line, serving similar shipyards and operators globally.
• WireCo WorldGroup: Global manufacturer of wire rope, synthetic rope, and engineered chain products serving marine, oil and gas, and industrial markets. Comparable to Lister as a specialty chain manufacturer with marine applications.
• Bridon-Bekaert (NV Bekaert SA): Global leader in steel wire ropes and chains, including marine and offshore chain products used in mooring and anchoring. Directly competes with Lister in the large diameter marine chain category, particularly for international and commercial maritime customers.
• Damena: Dutch manufacturer of marine anchors including stockless and high-holding power designs for naval and commercial vessels. Direct peer in marine anchor manufacturing, serving similar shipyard customers in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Lister Chain & Forge