Fire Tower Engineered Timber

What Fire Tower Engineered Timber does

Fire Tower Engineered Timber is a privately held structural engineering and design firm founded in 2006 in Providence, Rhode Island, specializing in heavy timber frame structures. The firm delivers engineering, design, 3D modeling, sustainable building systems, exotic enclosure systems, and inspection/rehabilitation services for new and existing timber buildings. Its technical foundation is rooted in decades of research by its co-founders — most notably Ben Brungraber (Ph.D., Stanford, Mortise and Tenon Joinery) and Joe Miller (Ph.D., Michigan Tech, keyed-beam research) — and its retired partner Dick Schmidt authored the industry reference standard TFEC 1. Fire Tower is licensed as a P.E. firm in 46 US states and 5 Canadian provinces and operates a second office in Calumet, Michigan.

The company monetizes through project-based professional services, quoting engineering and design engagements on a per-project basis and delivering work via direct sales-led engagement with timber frame fabricators, architects, builders, and property owners. Its 3D modeling practice produces fabrication-ready files in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Dietrich's, and Cadwork formats, with automatic CNC output — a workflow that integrates tightly with timber manufacturing partners rather than functioning as a standalone product. The firm is an embedded engineering layer for an ecosystem of 16+ timber frame companies and European CLT suppliers, and serves marquee institutional clients such as Swarthmore College, Seattle Children's Hospital, and The Henry Ford Museum.

Fire Tower is closely held by its founding partners with no disclosed outside investment, acquisitions, or public-market activity. Headcount is small — approximately 11 named engineers including 8 licensed P.E.s — with steady but selective hiring (e.g., summer 2025 addition of Lukas Burgher, PE). The firm competes on deep domain expertise, codified methodology, and multi-jurisdiction licensing rather than on scale, software platform, or capital intensity.

Name

Fire Tower Engineered Timber

Legal name

Fire Tower Engineered Timber

Website

https://ftet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fire Tower Engineered Timber is a privately held structural engineering firm that designs, engineers, and produces 3D fabrication models for heavy timber frame structures, serving timber fabricators, architects, and property owners across 46 US states and 5 Canadian provinces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Structural Engineering Services

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Timber & Structural Engineered Wood (CLT, Glulam, NLT/DLT) (IMADADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mass Timber Panels & Components (DLT, NLT, Hybrid Panels) (IMAMACAG)

Keywords

• Timber engineering services
• Structural engineering design
• Heavy timber construction
• 3D structural modeling
• Mass timber consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Design Services: Project-based professional services providing timber frame engineering, design consultation, 3D modeling, and structural engineering for heavy timber construction projects

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Fire Tower Engineered Timber is an engineering and design firm that provides timber frame structural engineering, custom design, and 3D modeling services for heavy timber construction projects. The firm serves timber frame companies, architects, builders, and property owners across North America with services spanning new construction, sustainable building systems, exotic enclosure systems, and existing structure inspection and rehabilitation.

Product overview

Fire Tower Engineered Timber is an engineering and design firm specializing in timber structures, offering a suite of integrated services for heavy timber construction. The core offerings include Design Services (custom timber frame and post-and-beam design with 3D CAD), Engineering Services (structural engineering for new and existing structures), and 3D Modeling (structural modeling in multiple CAD formats). Specialty services include Sustainable Building Systems (with SIP expertise), Exotic Building Systems (straw bales, rammed earth, cob, tree houses), and Inspection & Rehab. The company operates primarily in the US and Canadian markets with licensed jurisdictions across both countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design Services Custom timber frame and complex post-and-beam design services utilizing 3D CAD software, derived from field experience and appreciation for craft, tradition, and the potential of timber structures. Targeted at timber frame companies, architects, and builders.
• Engineering Services Full range of structural engineering services for heavy timber structures, including new buildings (timber framed homes, churches, offices, bridges) and existing structures (covered bridges, churches, schools, mill buildings, barns). Includes structural analysis, code compliance, and certification.
• 3D Modeling Structural modeling services providing comprehensive three-dimensional renderings of structures and components, generating 3D models in AutoCAD, Sketchup, Dietrich's, and Cadwork formats for prefabricated timber frame components. Enables automatic CNC file generation for fabrication.
• Sustainable Building Systems Whole-system sustainable building solutions including timber frame structures and Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) expertise, emphasizing durability, flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability with responsible forestry practices. Targeted at green building projects.
• Exotic Building Systems Unconventional building methods including straw bales, rammed earth, cob building, and tree houses, expanding capabilities of timber frames and other non-traditional construction approaches.
• Inspection & Rehab Assessment and rehabilitation services for existing timber structures, including refurbishing and revitalizing existing buildings such as covered bridges, churches, schools, mill buildings, and barns.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Amstutz WoodworkingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner listed in Friends & Partners section
• Antique Barn CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarn restoration company partner
• Arnold M. Graton Associates, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame industry partner
• Bensonwood HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner; Ben Brungraber previously worked at Benson Woodworking Co for 20 years
• Blue Ridge TimberwrightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• Canadian Timber FramesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner based in Canada
• Carolina TimberworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• Cascade JoineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• FraserwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• Hardwick Post & BeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• Midwest Custom Timber FramesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• New Energy Works TimberframersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• South County Post & BeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• South Mountain CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• TimberHomes VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner
• Timber Frame Guild of North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBen Brungraber served on Board of Directors; industry association
• Yankee Barn HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber frame company partner; Joe Miller previously worked here
• Norwich UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuncan McElroy teaches online course; Joe Miller taught online courses for university

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Somers-Sturges Engineering: Timber engineering consultancy with heavy timber and timber frame project experience comparable to Fire Tower's, serving residential and institutional timber frame clients in North America.
• Fast + Epp Structural Engineers: Canadian structural engineering firm with a recognized mass timber and timber hybrid practice (e.g., Brock Commons Tallwood House). Direct peer to Fire Tower on engineered timber structural design for institutional and commercial projects.
• KL&A Structural Engineers: Colorado-based structural engineering firm with active mass timber and heavy timber practice. Comparable as a similarly specialized structural engineering consultancy serving Western US timber construction projects.
• StructureCraft Builders Inc. Engineering-driven timber and mass timber design-build firm based in British Columbia. Competes with Fire Tower on structural engineering scope for heavy timber projects and additionally provides fabrication and installation services.
• Equilibrium Engineering Inc. Vancouver-based structural engineering consultancy specializing in mass timber and timber high-rise design. Comparable to Fire Tower as a similarly sized specialist firm providing engineered timber design services to fabricators, architects and developers across North America.

Broad incumbents

• Arup: Global engineering consultancy with a recognized timber and mass timber structural practice. Engages Fire Tower as a specialist subconsultant on timber-specific scope while competing for full-package structural commissions on larger mass timber buildings.
• Holmes Group: International structural engineering consultancy with timber and mass timber expertise. Overlaps with Fire Tower's service offering for engineered timber buildings while competing at the broader structural-package level for institutional clients.
• KPFF Consulting Engineers: Large US structural engineering firm with growing mass timber capabilities across its regional offices. Competes with Fire Tower on larger commercial and institutional mass timber projects while Fire Tower retains niche advantage on bespoke timber frame work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FireTowerET
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fire-tower-engineered-timber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Fire Tower Engineered Timber