Cress Manufacturing
Cress Manufacturing, founded 1973 and based in Carson City, Nevada, is a private US manufacturer of heat treating furnaces and electric kilns for metal, quartz glass, ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, and hobbyist markets, selling through US and international dealers plus direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersCarson City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cress Manufacturing does
Cress Manufacturing Company Inc. is a privately held US manufacturer of heat treating furnaces and electric kilns, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Carson City, Nevada. The company designs and builds ceramic kilns (manual A/B/C models, E-Series digital/electronic kilns, and Firemate automatic kilns), glass kilns (Fuser, Fuser E, and GK series for fusing and slumping), front-loading kilns for heavy industrial loads, and a broad industrial furnace line (bench-top, C-series, AE series, dual-chamber, and glass/quartz annealing furnaces) operating at up to 1232°C standard or 1316°C optional. Core technology is rooted in patented electromechanical designs, including the Firemate kiln (patented in 16 countries) and a patented multi-zone vent system, plus proprietary element connections, infinitely variable power controls, and graduate-level thermodynamic engineering. The product portfolio is complemented by a deep replacement parts catalog (elements, thermocouples, relays, bricks, furniture kits) and accessories (pyrometers, vent systems). Cress also offers custom manufacturing for specific customer requirements.
Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time hardware sales of equipment and aftermarket parts. Go-to-market combines a US dealer network (locator by zip code and state) with 18 identified international dealers in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, El Salvador, South Korea, Lebanon, and Jordan, plus direct phone sales (US/Canada: 800.423.4584) and an e-commerce quote-request storefront at products.cressmfg.com. Pricing is quote-based for custom builds and published as PDF price lists (2026 lists available) for standard SKUs. The customer base spans metal heat treating, quartz glass, industrial ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, and hobbyist markets across 8+ countries, with no named enterprise anchors disclosed. No funding rounds, acquisitions, leadership changes, or AI/ML capabilities are indicated in available data.
Cress Manufacturing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cress Manufacturing
- Legal name
- Cress Manufacturing Company Inc.
- Website
- https://cressmfg.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cress Manufacturing, founded 1973 and based in Carson City, Nevada, is a private US manufacturer of heat treating furnaces and electric kilns for metal, quartz glass, ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, and hobbyist markets, selling through US and international dealers plus direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Cress Manufacturing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carson City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cress Manufacturing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Heat Treating Furnaces and Kilns: Manufacturing, export and distribution of heat treating furnaces and kilns including ceramic kilns, glass kilns, front loading kilns, and industrial furnaces. Products sold as one-time purchases with various control options (manual, automatic, digital/electronic).
- Furnace and Kiln Parts: Replacement parts for furnaces and kilns including elements, thermocouples, relays, switches, hearth plates, brick lids, screws, motors, and furniture kits.
- Custom Manufacturing: Cress can adapt to specific customer needs and build custom products upon request.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Cress Manufacturing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cress Manufacturing is a US-based manufacturer, exporter, and distributor of heat treating furnaces and electric kilns for metal, quartz glass, industrial ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, and ornamental ceramics applications. Its product range spans ceramic kilns (manual, E-Series electronic, and Firemate automatic), glass kilns, front-loading kilns, industrial heat treating furnaces, patented vent systems, pyrometers, and replacement parts. The company also builds custom products on request.
Product overview
Cress Manufacturing Company Inc. is a manufacturer and exporter of heat treating furnaces and kilns, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Carson City, Nevada. The company's product portfolio consists of six main product categories: Ceramic Kilns (manual, digital/electronic E-Series, and Firemate/Automatic models), Glass Kilns (Fuser Kilns and Fuser E Kilns for glass fusing and slumping), Front Loading Kilns (heavy-duty front-opening units), Industrial Furnaces (heat treating/hardening furnaces including Bench Top, C336/C444, Dual, Glass & Quartz, AE series, C30FH/C36FH, C133/C136, C601/C401H models), Furnace Parts (replacement components), Kiln Parts (replacement components including elements, thermocouples, bricks, furniture kits), Pyrometers (temperature monitoring tools), and Vent Systems (patented clean-air venting units). The products serve metal, quartz glass, industrial ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, ornamental ceramics, and other heat treating applications. The company also provides digital/electronic controllers (E-Series) and automatic control systems (Firemate with patented technology) as key technology features across their kiln and furnace product lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cress Prodigy: Digital/electronic kiln product line featuring advanced electronic control
- Cress Firemate
- E-Series
- CRESS Patented Vent System
Products and services
- Ceramic Kilns Top-loading kilns for ceramic firing, available in manual (A, B, C models), digital/electronic (E-Series with programmable firing profiles), and Firemate/Automatic variants with patented gradual power control. Used by ceramic producers, jewelry manufacturers, porcelain makers, potters, and hobbyists for consistent, controllable firing.
- Glass Kilns Kilns engineered for glass fusing and slumping applications, including Fuser Kilns with pyrometer controls and Fuser E Kilns with electronic 3-key controllers supporting 4 user programs with up to 8 segments each. Used by glass fusing professionals and hobbyists.
- Front Loading Kilns Heavy-duty front-opening kilns with multi-bank insulation up to 6.5 inches and vaulted ceiling construction, designed for large loads of porcelain, sculptures, pottery, and ceramics with slow cooling capability. Used by production ceramics and porcelain operations.
- Industrial Furnaces (Heat Treating / Hardening Furnaces) High-temperature industrial furnaces for metal heat treating (hardening, tempering, annealing) and quartz glass processing. Standard operating temperatures up to 1232°C (2250°F) with optional 1316°C (2400°F) configurations. Product family spans Bench Top, C-Series (C336, C444, C133, C136, C601, C401H, C30FH, C36FH), Dual Furnaces, AE series dual and single chamber, and Glass & Quartz Annealing Furnaces.
- CRESS Patented Vent System Patented clean-air venting accessory that exhausts kiln fumes separately from the top, middle, and bottom sections to prevent cross-contamination of colors. Automatically synchronizes with kiln firing cycles and provides cooling assist from 1000°F down to 140°F. Uses 4-inch metal dryer ducting, 80 CFM airflow, 220V/0.53A motor. CSA listed and tested to UL Standard 499.
- Furnace Parts Replacement components for industrial furnaces including heating elements, door springs, thermocouples, relays, switches, pilot lights, hearth plates, and Dual Hardening/Tempering Floor Standing Furnaces with Quench Tank. Used by industrial furnace owners for maintenance and repair.
- Kiln Parts Replacement components for kilns including elements and rods, brick lids/bottoms/metal pans, screws/nuts/bolts, switches, relays, pilot lights, motors, kiln cement, stands, thermocouples, kiln sitter parts, skin-jackets, panel shells, furniture kits, shelves, posts, power cords, wall receptacles, kiln bricks, and terminals/wire harness. Used by kiln owners for maintenance and repair.
- Digital and Analog Pyrometers Temperature monitoring tools for firing ceramics, available in digital and analog formats. Used to check firing progress, cone temperature proximity, temperature changes, and kiln temperature uniformity.
- Custom Manufacturing Services Custom-built furnaces and kilns tailored to specific customer requirements. Cress adapts to defined specifications and builds one-off products upon request, with pricing provided via quote. Used by industrial buyers with non-standard applications.
Companies that use Cress Manufacturing
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cress Manufacturing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Cress Manufacturing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- CeramicraftminorInternational dealer located in Bibra Lake, Australia (6163). Distributes Cress kilns and furnaces in the Australian market.
- Blue Sky CeramicsminorInternational dealer in Greenwhithe, Auckland, New Zealand. Distributes Cress products in New Zealand.
- Glass Fusing PTY LTDminorInternational dealer in Oxley, ACT, Australia. Specializes in glass fusing products and distributes Cress kilns in Australia.
- Tanner Maquinas y HerramientasminorInternational dealer in Chihuahua, Mexico (two locations). Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Maquhensa S.A. DE C.V.minorInternational dealer in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Maqunaria Industrial CabreraminorInternational dealer in Guadalajara, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in the Mexican market.
- Red CoronaminorInternational dealer in Seoul, South Korea. Distributes Cress products in South Korea.
- Pots & PottersminorInternational dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. Distributes Cress products in Lebanon.
- Jerara EstablishmentminorInternational dealer in Aman, Jordan. Distributes Cress products in Jordan.
- CE - VE Herramientas De CorteminorInternational dealer in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Equimm S.A. De C.V.minorInternational dealer in Torreon, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- MayProd S.A. DE C.V.minorInternational dealer in San Salvador, El Salvador. Distributes Cress products in El Salvador.
- Distribuidora Ferretera MIMSminorInternational dealer in Escobedo, N.L., Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Abremaq / Jose Rene Gaytan RuelminorInternational dealer in Guadalajara, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Vigor Industrial DE RL DE CVminorInternational dealer in Baja, California, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Jose Ernesto Miramontes C/OminorInternational dealer in Tijuana, BC, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Herramental Monterrey S.A.minorInternational dealer in Monterrey, NL, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
- Insumos Expresos IndustrialesminorInternational dealer in H Matamoros, TMPAS, Mexico. Distributes Cress products in Mexico.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cress Manufacturing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grieve Corporation: Grieve is a long-established US manufacturer of industrial ovens, furnaces, and heat processing equipment serving metal heat treating, ceramics, and laboratory customers. It overlaps with Cress's industrial furnace category at a broader scale.
- Olympic Kilns: Olympic Kilns builds a range of electric kilns for ceramics, glass fusing, and pottery. It is a direct competitor in the same hobbyist and small-business kiln segment as Cress, with overlapping product categories and dealer-based distribution.
- Lucifer Furnaces: Lucifer Furnaces is a US manufacturer of industrial heat treating furnaces and ovens used in metals, ceramics, and laboratory applications. It directly overlaps Cress's industrial furnace product line for metal hardening, tempering, and annealing.
- Thermcraft: Thermcraft manufactures custom and standard industrial furnaces, ovens, and thermal processing systems. It competes with Cress in industrial heat treating furnaces serving metals, ceramics, and advanced materials.
- L&L Kilns: L&L manufactures electric ceramic kilns, pottery kilns, and hot kilns with patented hard ceramic element holders. It directly overlaps Cress's ceramic kiln product line and shares the same craft ceramic and small-studio customer base.
- Skutt Electric: Skutt is one of the largest US manufacturers of electric ceramic kilns and glass kilns serving hobbyists, schools, and small studios. It competes head-to-head with Cress in ceramic kilns, glass kilns, and related controllers (e.g., KilnMaster vs. Cress E-Series).
- Paragon Industries: Paragon Industries manufactures heat treating kilns and furnaces for ceramics, glass, metal heat treating, and knife-making. It competes directly with Cress across both the kiln and small industrial furnace segments.
- Jen-Ken Kilns: Jen-Ken Kilns manufactures electric kilns for pottery, ceramics, glass fusing, and metal heat treating (including knife-making and forging furnaces). It is a direct competitor to Cress in the small industrial and serious hobbyist kiln/furnace segments.
Broad incumbents
- SECO/Warwick: SECO/Warwick is a global manufacturer of industrial heat treating furnaces serving aerospace, automotive, and tooling. It is a broader incumbent that competes with Cress's metal heat treating product line but at much higher scale and with vacuum and atmosphere capabilities.
- Despatch Industries: Despatch is a large industrial thermal processing equipment manufacturer (now part of ITW EAE) serving metals, electronics, and advanced materials. It overlaps with Cress in metal heat treating furnaces but at much larger scale and broader industrial scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cress Manufacturing social profiles
Digital presenceCress Manufacturing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cress Manufacturing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cress Manufacturing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cress Manufacturing 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 Cress Manufacturing
What does Cress Manufacturing do?
Cress Manufacturing is a US-based manufacturer, exporter, and distributor of heat treating furnaces and electric kilns for metal, quartz glass, industrial ceramics, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, and ornamental ceramics applications. Its product range spans ceramic kilns (manual, E-Series electronic, and Firemate automatic), glass kilns, front-loading kilns, industrial heat treating furnaces, patented vent systems, pyrometers, and replacement parts. The company also builds custom products on request.
Is Cress Manufacturing a public or private company?
Cress Manufacturing is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Cress Manufacturing founded?
Cress Manufacturing was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cress Manufacturing based?
Cress Manufacturing is headquartered in Carson City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cress Manufacturing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Heat Treating Furnaces and Kilns are the primary driver. The others are furnace and Kiln Parts and custom Manufacturing.
Who are Cress Manufacturing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grieve Corporation, Olympic Kilns, Lucifer Furnaces, Thermcraft, L&L Kilns, Skutt Electric, Paragon Industries and Jen-Ken Kilns. Broad incumbents are SECO/Warwick and Despatch Industries.
Does Cress Manufacturing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cress Manufacturing.