Penn Tech International

What Penn Tech International does

Penn-Tech International, Inc. is a privately held specialty instrumentation company founded in 1968 in West Chester, Pennsylvania and currently headquartered in Frazer, PA. The company manufactures shunt-type analog cable tension meters (the TM-700, TM-800, and TM-1000 models) that measure cable tension in guyed towers and industrial cable applications by reading cable deflection without disturbing cable anchor points. The meters contain no electronic components and rely on a proprietary cable deflection averaging methodology, with each unit calibrated specifically to the construction and diameter of the cable it will measure. Pricing ranges from $2,586 to $4,786 per meter depending on model and cable calibration configuration, with separate annual calibration services priced at $495-$605 per unit.

The company's commercial offering extends beyond instruments to a tightly integrated ecosystem: TPT Contractor reporting software (developed in partnership with Griswold Tower Software at $1,850 per license) automates TIA-222 compliant twist, plumb and tension reporting using Penn-Tech's proprietary calibration data; accessories and replacement parts (saddles, springs, dials, carrying cases, cable gauges, calibration verification tools) are sold through the company's e-commerce storefront; and complementary services include tower site development (installation, erections, foundations, painting, lighting) and comprehensive radome services (inspections, cleaning, coating, repairs). Customer segments span telecommunications tower companies, military and government entities (including HF antenna communication installations), and general industrial operators (elevators, cranes, bridges, aircraft cables, utilities, fall arrest systems).

Penn-Tech operates on a direct-to-consumer and direct-to-enterprise model with no disclosed channel partners, distributors, or institutional investors. The company has been owned by Thomas Hedberg since 2000, is a voting member of the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) since 2003, and reports a headcount of 1-10 employees. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the company has not raised external funding. The business model is anchored by high-margin one-time hardware sales complemented by recurring annual calibration revenue and recurring software licensing, supported by a global footprint through direct e-commerce and inbound inquiry.

Name

Penn Tech International

Legal name

Penn-Tech International, Inc.

Website

https://ptii.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Penn-Tech International is a privately held manufacturer of analog shunt-type cable tension meters (TM-700, TM-800, TM-1000) used by telecommunications tower companies, military and government entities, and industrial operators to measure guy cable tension without disturbing cable anchor points. Founded in 1968, the Frazer, PA-based company sells directly through its e-commerce storefront and offers bundled calibration services and TIA-222 reporting software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cable Tension Measurement Instruments

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Line Monitoring & Sensors (DLR, conductor temperature/sag, fault passage, vibration/icing sensors) (EUADADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Condition Monitoring Sensors & IoT (online/offline monitoring, edge devices) (EUADAJAD)

Keywords

• Cable tension meters
• Tower installation services
• Radome maintenance services
• Guy cable measurement
• Telecom tower services

Headquarters

HQ city

Malvern

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. Tension Meter Hardware Sales: Penn-Tech designs, manufactures, and sells shunt-type cable tension meters (TM-700, TM-800, TM-1000) along with accessories including saddles, carrying cases, cable gauges, calibration verification tools, dial replacements, and springs. Products are sold directly through the company's e-commerce storefront. Base unit prices range from $2,586 to $4,786 depending on model and calibration configuration. Additional cable calibrations and custom plotting are available as add-on services.
2. Calibration and Maintenance Services: Annual calibration and recalibration services for tension meters, including calibration verification, dial repair, spring replacement, and general maintenance. Calibration prices range from $495 to $605 depending on model and cable type configuration. Additional charges apply for extra cable calibrations and custom plotting in 100-pound increments.
3. TPT Contractor Software License: TPT Contractor twist, plumb and tension reporting software sold at $1,850 per copy. Includes calibration data specific to the Penn-Tech Tension Meter. Optional tension meter attachments (up to 5, +$170 each) and X-Cable beyond standard calibration (+$60 each) available as add-ons.
4. Tower Site Development Services: Full-service tower site development including installation, tower erections, foundations, civil work, painting and lighting, ice bridges, co-locates, microwave antenna installations, antenna coax installations, rooftop installations, cable ladder installations, safety climb systems, ground systems, custom fabrication, and emergency services.
5. Radome Inspection and Maintenance Services: Comprehensive radome services including inspections (geodesic and inflatable domes), cleaning, Teflon coating, repairs, sealing, painting, installation, replacement, and removal services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Penn-Tech International manufactures analog shunt-type cable tension meters (TM-700, TM-800, TM-1000) that measure cable tension without disturbing cable anchor points, along with calibration services, accessories, and the proprietary TPT Contractor reporting software. The company also provides full-service tower site development (installation, erections, foundations, painting, lighting, civil work) and radome services (inspection, cleaning, repair, replacement) for telecommunications, government, military, and industrial customers.

Product overview

Penn Tech International offers a portfolio of analog shunt-type Cable Tension Meters (TM-700, TM-800, TM-1000) designed for measuring cable tension without disturbing cable anchorage. The TM-1000 is the flagship model with the broadest cable diameter range (3/16" to 1-1/8") and includes TPT Contractor reporting software. Supporting products include tension meter accessories (saddle blocks, springs, carrying cases, calibration verification tools, PTI cable gauges) and replacement parts. The company also provides tower site development services (installation, erections, foundations, painting, lighting, civil work) and radome services (inspections, installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal) for geodesic and inflatable domes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cable Tension Meter TM-700

Quantifiable outcome

• The TPT Contractor software handles 12 levels of guys, 3 rings of guy foundations at different elevations and distances, and 22 different cable sizes and types, generating TIA-222 compliant Twist, Plumb and Tension Reports

Named customers3 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Griswold Tower Software (Bill Griswold)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTPT Contractor© Twist, Plumb and Tension Reporting Software was developed by Griswold Tower Software in association with Penn-Tech International. Bill Griswold, a professional structural engineer registered in 40 states with 43 years of experience and 17+ years in the tower industry, developed the software. Penn-Tech supplies the calibration data for each tension meter, which is input into the program by Griswold Tower Software, making the software specific to Penn-Tech Tension Meters.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dillon / Quality Plus: Dillon (a Quality Plus brand) manufactures mechanical and electronic force measurement instruments including dynamometers and tension meters used in rigging, material testing, and overhead line applications. Directly comparable to Penn-Tech as a tension/force measurement specialist serving similar industrial customers with analogous hardware products.
• Tensitron: Tensitron specializes in cable tension measurement devices and load cell systems for aerospace, elevator, and industrial applications. Directly comparable to Penn-Tech as a niche tension measurement specialist with similar product categories, calibration-based differentiation, and industrial customer base.
• Tractel: Tractel is a global manufacturer of load measurement and tension monitoring devices for lifting, rigging, and fall arrest applications, including dedicated cable tensiometers. Comparable to Penn-Tech as a provider of cable tension measurement instruments used in safety-critical industrial and structural applications.

Broad incumbents

• Interface Inc. Interface is a major manufacturer of force measurement sensors and load cells used across industrial, aerospace, and test & measurement applications. Comparable to Penn-Tech through shared force measurement category, though Interface operates at much larger scale with broader product portfolio.
• Crosby Group: Crosby Group is a large, established manufacturer of rigging hardware, lifting equipment, and load monitoring products serving marine, offshore, construction, and industrial markets. While broader than Penn-Tech, Crosby's load monitoring and tension measurement product lines overlap with Penn-Tech's industrial cable measurement applications.

Emerging players

• Morehouse Instrument Company: Morehouse specializes in force calibration and deadweight force standards with related load cell and instrumentation products. Comparable to Penn-Tech through the calibration services revenue stream and shared customer base in precision force measurement applications.
• Magtrol: Magtrol manufactures force and torque measurement instruments including load monitoring systems used in industrial testing and process control. Comparable to Penn-Tech as a precision measurement instrumentation company, though with broader force/torque focus rather than specialized cable tension only.
• Thames Side Sensors: Thames Side designs and manufactures load cells, force sensors, and weighing electronics for industrial and structural monitoring applications. Comparable to Penn-Tech through shared customer use cases in cable/structural tension monitoring, particularly in bridge and infrastructure applications.

Market position

Competitive moat5 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 Penn Tech International