What Kershaw Instrumentation does

Kershaw Instrumentation LLC is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of precision testing instrumentation founded in 1983 and headquartered in Swedesboro, New Jersey. The company designs and builds laboratory instruments used primarily by printing ink manufacturers to measure tack, viscosity, dry time, water pickup, and emulsification of inks, and by paper manufacturers to measure roll density, width, length, and core dimensions of rolled tissue and paper products. Its product portfolio spans seven categories—ink dry time testing, ink tack measurement (Tackmaster and Inkometer series), ink viscosity measurement, ink water pickup measurement, adhesive tape testing, paper testing, and laser measurement systems—built around proprietary touch-screen PLC platforms, load cell technology, and non-contact laser measurement. Notable products include the Tackmaster TM16U, Inkometer E2000U/E2006U, Roll Density Tester RDT-2000, and laser-based TG-18 tubing gauge and RG-2013 ribbon gauge.

The company's revenue model combines one-time hardware sales with recurring professional services. Instruments are sold via direct sales in North America (phone, fax, email) and through a network of eight regional distributors covering Australia, China, Thailand, India, Taiwan, the UK, Mexico/Caribbean/South America, and Central America. Recurring revenue is generated through replacement parts, conversion kits, repair and rebuilding services, roller manufacturing and recovery, and calibration/certification service contracts available on annual, bi-annual, or as-needed cadences. Custom design and engineering services extend the company's reach into specialty products beyond printing and paper.

Kershaw employs 1–10 people and operates without disclosed external funding, M&A activity, or institutional investors. Its competitive positioning rests on 40+ years of category presence, backward compatibility through parts inventory for legacy Inkometer and Tackmaster models, and a portfolio of branded instruments (Tackmaster, Inkometer, RDT-2000) described as household names in their respective verticals. The company has no documented AI/ML capabilities, no public API, and no app or digital platform; its technology stack is centered on industrial PLCs, load cells, and laser optics.

Name

Kershaw Instrumentation

Legal name

Kershaw Instrumentation LLC

Website

https://kershawinst.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kershaw Instrumentation LLC is a privately held Swedesboro, NJ manufacturer of precision laboratory testing instruments—tackmeters, viscometers, dry time testers, paper roll testers, and laser measurement systems—primarily serving global printing ink and paper manufacturers via direct North American sales and an international distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Testing Instrumentation

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH)

Keywords

• Printing ink testing instruments
• Paper testing equipment
• Tack measurement instruments
• Viscosity measurement systems
• Laser profile measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Swedesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing Instrumentation Sales: Sale of precision testing instruments including tack testers, viscometers, dry time testers, and paper testing equipment. Products range from entry-level mechanical instruments to advanced touch-screen PLC controlled systems.
2. Replacement Parts and Accessories: Extensive inventory of replacement parts for all Inkometer and Tackmaster models, including upgrade and conversion kits, calibration fluids, and accessory components.
3. Repair and Rebuilding Services: Complete Inkometer repair services including overhaul and electronic conversion. Includes loaner instrument program to minimize customer downtime during repairs.
4. Roller Manufacturing and Recovery: Manufactures and recovers rollers for all standard Inkometers, Tack-O-Scope, Prufbau, Tackmaster series, and proofing presses. Stock rollers in multiple compounds with inspection and balancing.
5. Calibration and Certification Services: On-site calibration, preventative maintenance, and certification services for laboratory instruments. Includes complete cleaning, inspection, calibration using weights and ink standards, service report, calibration certificate and tag.
6. Custom Design and Engineering: Custom design, build and certify products to match customer needs. Engineering expertise applied to specialty products in manufacturing world beyond printing and paper.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Kershaw Instrumentation designs, manufactures, and services precision testing instruments for printing ink and paper manufacturing industries. Its portfolio includes tack testers, viscometers, dry time testers, water pickup systems, adhesive tape testers, paper testing instruments, and laser-based dimensional measurement systems, complemented by replacement parts, calibration, repair, and custom engineering services.

Product overview

Kershaw Instrumentation LLC is a specialized instrumentation company that has pioneered innovation in instrumentation design for over 40 years, focusing primarily on the printing ink and paper manufacturing industries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision testing instruments organized into seven main product categories: Ink Dry Time Testing (Saddle Dryer SD-50, Dry Time Testers DTT 60/100, Heat Set Dry Time Tester HSDT-08), Ink Tack Measurement (Tackmaster series TM16U/07/PC/92 and Inkometer series E2006U/E2000U/E2000/E2006 plus Mechanical Inkometer B-45), Ink Viscosity Measurement (Falling Rod Viscometer FRV-2000, Flow Plate FP-04), Ink Water Pickup Measurement (Water Pickup System, Lithobreak Tester, NPIRI Water Content Meter), Adhesive Tape Testing (Unwind Tester UT60U, Ball Testers SBT-60/LBT-60), Paper Testing (Roll Density Testers RDT-16U/RDT-2000, Roll Width Tester RWT-18, Roll Length Counter, Basic Footage Counter, Core Plug Gauge CPG-6), and Laser Measurement Systems (Ribbon Gauge RG-2013, Tubing Gauge TG-18). The company also offers replacement parts, conversion kits, and accessories for tack instruments, along with field services including calibration, certification, repair, rebuilding, roller services, and custom engineering consultation throughout North America and on most continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saddle Dryer - Model SD-50 This instrument manually measures the drying characteristics of small printed samples when exposed to heat. It is a compact, lightweight benchtop instrument designed for low maintenance and high dependability, targeted at ink laboratories and printing quality control operations.
• Dry Time Tester - Models DTT 60 & DTT 100 This instrument measures the drying time of small printed samples at ambient temperature for an extended period. It is available in two sizes for different test duration options, used by ink manufacturers and printers for quality control testing.
• Heat Set Dry Time Tester - Model HSDT-08 This instrument automatically measures the drying characteristics of small printed samples when exposed to heat, used by ink laboratories and printers for quality control testing.
• Tackmaster - TM16U This instrument measures the tack of printing inks and is the successor to the Tackmaster-07 model. It is operated by a fully customizable touch screen PLC with multiple customizable test parameters, independent calibration procedures, and easily updatable user interface options and memory.
• Tackmaster - 07 This instrument measures the tack of printing inks. Successor to the Tackmaster-92, it provides a user-friendly testing experience with a compact design and a sleeker chrome frame and body.
• Tackmaster - PC This instrument measures the tack of printing inks using a computer interface that allows an in-depth view of data and storage of test results in several formats for review and study.
• Inkometer - Model E2006U This instrument measures the tack of printing inks. Based loosely on the original Inkometer 106 design, it has been upgraded with an interactive, customizable touch screen PLC with multiple customizable test parameters, separate independent calibration procedures, and easily updatable user interface options and memory.
• Inkometer - Model E2000U This instrument measures the tack of printing inks. Based loosely on the original Inkometer 101 design, it has been upgraded with an interactive, customizable touch screen PLC with multiple customizable test parameters, separate independent calibration procedures, and easily updatable user interface options and memory.
• Inkometer - Model E2000 This instrument measures the tack of printing inks. Based on the familiar Electronic Inkometer design, it has been upgraded with newer, more highly-functional components and converted to improve operating functions, stability, and accuracy.
• Inkometer - Model E2006 This instrument measures the tack of printing inks. Based on the familiar Electronic Inkometer 106 design, it has been upgraded with newer, more highly-functional components and converted to improve operating functions, stability, and accuracy.
• Mechanical Inkometer - Model B-45 This original strictly mechanical instrument measures the tack of printing inks and is still used widely throughout the ink making industry. Optional conversion kits provide digital readout of tack results in real time and variable speed control.
• Falling Rod Viscometer - Model FRV-2000 This instrument measures the viscosity of printing inks. Based on the original Falling Rod design, it ensures accuracy and repeatability. A semi-automatic version (SAV-09) is available with user-friendly computer software for testing, cataloging, storing, and formalizing test data.
• Flow Plate - Model FP-04 This instrument measures the viscosity and flow of printing inks. Incorporating the classic flow plate design, it comes equipped with feet on both the top and back sides for consistent testing angles.
• Water Pickup System This instrument measures the emulsification of printing inks. Using a high-speed propeller and 25 gauge injector needle, it calculates emulsification based on torque measurement with data displayed on a digital readout.
• Lithobreak Tester This instrument measures the emulsification of printing inks. Using a three-roll design, it tests the effects of solutions added to ink during use on a press, simulating printing press action and observing physical changes in real time with dual simultaneous test capability.
• NPIRI Water Content Meter This instrument measures the emulsification of printing inks. Compact in design, it uses electrical signals to determine the amount of water in a sample of printing ink.
• Unwind Tester - Model UT60U This instrument tests the adhesive unwind properties of packaging tape. Variable speed control and easy-to-calibrate torque control system make this machine accurate and simple to use.
• Adhesive Tape Ball Tester - Models SBT-60 & LBT-60 This instrument tests the adhesiveness of tape products. Features a 60-inch track with a 35-inch sloped portion for ball acceleration; SBT-60 uses a steel ball propelled down a 90-degree slope, while LBT-60 uses a light ping-pong style ball propelled down a 45-degree slope.
• Roll Density Tester - Model RDT-16U This instrument measures the firmness of rolled paper products such as tissues or paper towels. Based on the original Roll Density Tester design, it has been upgraded with an interactive touch screen PLC with customizable features and improved accuracy.
• Roll Density Tester - Model RDT-2000 This instrument measures the firmness of rolled paper products such as tissues or paper towels using load cell technology. It is easy to calibrate, consistent, accurate, and known as a household name in the paper manufacturing industry.
• Roll Width Tester - Model RWT-18 This instrument tests the width of jumbo-roll style consumer tissue. It displays results in inches or millimeters and interchangeably tests multiple size variations of commercial tissue.
• Roll Length Counter This instrument counts the length and number of sheets on a rolled paper product. Equipped with an interactive touchscreen PLC, it provides many customizable features and different arrays of test parameters.
• Basic Footage Counter This instrument measures the length of paper and plastic material rolls. Features a lightweight aluminum frame with a lift handle and plastic wheels for easy transport, calculating length based on time required for film or paper to pass from unwind spindle to wind-up spindle.
• Core Plug Gauge - Model CPG-6 This device verifies the inside diameter of paper and cardboard tubes using brightly colored rings representing different inside diameter size ranges, with a pass/fail procedure using green/yellow/red indicators for cores ranging from 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" inside diameter.
• Ribbon Gauge - Model RG-2013 This instrument utilizes a scanning laser to measure the cross sectional profile of extruded materials such as plastic, rubber, or metal, providing high accuracy for dimensional quality control.
• Tubing Gauge - Model TG-18 This instrument measures the wall thickness of extruded pipe material. Using a pair of non-contacting lasers, a series of small rotating shafts, and an interactive touch-screen PLC, it provides reliability and consistency with a stand-alone printer and computer interface for data processing.
• Replacement Parts and Conversion Kits for Tack Instruments Kershaw stocks parts for all models of Inkometers or Tackmasters. This includes upgrade and conversion kits such as Digital Tack Indicators, Data Printers, Computer Interface Software, Lithobreak Attachments, Mechanical Inkometer Water Seal Conversion Kits, and Tach Generator Replacement Kits.
• Repair, Calibration, and Certification Services Complete Inkometer repair services including overhaul and electronic conversion, plus on-site calibration, preventative maintenance, and certification services for laboratory instruments. Services include complete cleaning, inspection, calibration using weights and ink standards, service report, calibration certificate and tag, and a loaner instrument program to minimize customer downtime.
• Roller Manufacturing and Recovery Services Kershaw manufactures and recovers rollers for all standard Inkometers, Tack-O-Scope, Prufbau, Tackmaster series, and proofing presses, with stock rollers in multiple compounds plus inspection and balancing.
• Custom Design and Engineering Services Kershaw provides custom design, build, and certification of products to match customer needs, applying engineering expertise to specialty products in manufacturing beyond printing and paper.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IDM Instruments Pty LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia distributor for Kershaw Instrumentation products. Contact: Ben Stevcic, 10-11 Colrado Court, Hallam Vic 3803, Phone: (61) 3 9708-6885
• H J Unkel Int'l Trading Company (Shanghai)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShanghai, China distributor. Contact: Kiven Zhang, Rm 2201, No 2 Building, Xuhong Road, Shanghai, China 200235, Phone: (021) 5169 1088-8817
• H J Unkel (Thai) LTDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBangkok, Thailand distributor. Contact: Manod Ji, 434 Soi Chokchaichongchamroen, Rama 3 Road, Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
• M/S Khushboo Scientific PVTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia distributor. Contact: Mr. Praveen Bachhawat, Post Box 2516, Govind Building, Ground Floor, 132 Princess Street, Mumbai - 400 002, Maharashtra, India
• Printex Corp.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMexico, Caribbean, and South America distributor. Contact: Aicardo Ganan, 3851 NW 124th Ave., Coral Springs, FL 33065
• Esina El Salvador S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentral America distributor. Contact: Rolando Aldana, Calle Talnique Y Avenida Tacachico #23 Col. Jardines De La Libertad, Ciudad Merliot, Santa Tecla Libertad, El Salvador
• Ever Finde ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaiwan distributor. Contact: Lucky Wang or Yi Ling Hung, 4F, No. 238, Ming-An West Rd., Hsing-Chuang City, Taipei-Hsien, Taiwan R.O.C.
• AML InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Kingdom distributor. Contact: Alex Leeson, 29 Maple Drive, Bassingham, Lincolnshire, LN5 9NS, United Kingdom

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• BYK-Gardner (ALTANA): Major test & measurement instrument maker for paints, coatings, plastics, and printing inks, owned by ALTANA. Competes with Kershaw in ink/paper QC instrumentation but serves a much broader coatings portfolio at global scale.
• Elcometer: UK-based manufacturer of inspection equipment for coatings, surface profile, adhesion, and material testing. Adjacent industrial test & measurement player serving overlapping printing/coatings QA end markets.
• Lorentzen & Wettre (ABB): Now part of ABB, Lorentzen & Wettre supplies pulp and paper testing instruments globally. Larger incumbent offering broader laboratory and online QC systems that partially overlap with Kershaw's paper testing portfolio.

Direct peers

• Testing Machines Inc. (TMI): US manufacturer of physical testing instruments for paper, film, foil, adhesives, and packaging. Directly comparable to Kershaw's paper and adhesive tape testing product lines (e.g., roll density, tensile, adhesion).
• Emtec Electronic: German maker of specialized testing devices for paper, tissue, and nonwoven surface properties. Comparable niche specialty instrument maker serving tissue/paper manufacturers — directly overlapping with Kershaw's RDT and roll testing products.
• Thwing-Albert Instrument Company: Manufacturer of material testing instruments for paper, pulp, packaging, and textiles. Overlaps with Kershaw's paper testing portfolio (roll density, tensile, tear) serving similar converting and consumer paper customers.
• Prufbau: German manufacturer of standardized testing instruments for printing inks and coatings. Prufbau's Tack-O-Scope and related instruments directly compete with Kershaw's Tackmaster and Inkometer product lines; Kershaw even services Prufbau rollers, highlighting close category overlap.

Regional players

• Getzmann Werkstoffprüfmaschinen (VMA): German maker of laboratory and production testing instruments for printing inks and coatings. Comparable specialty manufacturer primarily serving the European printing ink QA market.

Emerging players

• Hanatek Instruments: UK-based specialist in printability and packaging testing instruments (rub resistance, coefficient of friction, blocking). Smaller emerging competitor in the printing QA niche where Kershaw operates.

Others

• IDM Instruments Pty Ltd: Australian distributor and supplier of materials testing instruments, including Kershaw's product line. Functions as both channel partner and adjacent niche test equipment distributor in the Asia-Pacific region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Kershaw Instrumentation