oatey (brand is cherne)

What oatey (brand is cherne) does

Cherne Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of privately held Oatey Co., manufactures pipe plugs, leak-locators, and related testing equipment for the waterworks and plumbing industries. The company bills itself as the global leader in pipe plugs and testing, with a product portfolio spanning 3/4-inch plumbing plugs through the 72-120 inch I-Series Test Ball Plug — described as the world's largest pipe plug at 850 pounds and 152 inches in length. Core products include pneumatic blocking plugs (I-Series Test-Ball), pneumatic bypass plugs with integrated bypass tubes (Muni-Ball), Air-Loc leak locators, mechanical cleanout plugs, hydrostatic test pumps, manhole and joint testers, and specialty pipe cements. The flagship I-Series line uses robotic manufacturing to bond corrosion-resistant aluminum end plates to natural-rubber cores, replacing legacy chemical bonding and yielding a stated 5x lifespan improvement; products carry laser-etched lifetime identifiers and a 2-year warranty.

Cherne operates a 100% channel-based go-to-market model. Products flow through industrial distributors (Lee Jensen Sales in Chicago, Stemar Equipment in Los Angeles, Fisher-Harris), equipment rental companies with national footprints (Trench Plate Rental's 34 branches, National Trench Safety), and the Oatey catalog system. Cherne supplements channel sales with free on-site safety training, an e-learning center on BlueVolt, a YouTube training channel, and a plug-selector tool. End customers include waterworks and plumbing contractors, municipal sewer services, commercial diving firms, HVAC/mechanical contractors, and equipment rental users; segments are organized horizontally into Waterworks (plugs 8 in. and larger) and Plumbing (plugs 6 in. and smaller). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is not reported.

Name

oatey (brand is cherne)

Legal name

Cherne Industries

Website

https://cherneind.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cherne Industries, an Oatey Co. subsidiary, manufactures pneumatic and mechanical pipe plugs and testing equipment for waterworks and plumbing professionals, selling globally through industrial distributors and equipment rental companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing and Waterworks Equipment

NAICS

Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing (332919)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Pipe Accessories & Joining Systems (Couplings, Gaskets, Solvent Cement, Fusion Fittings) (IMANADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pumps & Plumbing Pump Accessories (Sump, Sewage, Booster) (IMADALAL), Industrial Hoses & Tubing (Rubber/Elastomer) (IMANALAA)

Keywords

• Pipe plugs manufacturing
• Waterworks testing equipment
• Plumbing pipe testing
• Pneumatic blocking plugs
• Underground construction supplies

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pipe Plug Sales: Primary revenue stream from manufacturing and selling pneumatic and mechanical pipe plugs for blocking, bypassing, and testing applications in waterworks and plumbing. Products range from small 3/4-inch plugs to the world's largest 72-120 inch test ball plug.
2. Testing Equipment Sales: Sales of testing equipment including hydrostatic test pumps, Air-Loc joint testers, manhole testers, smoke testers, and related accessories.
3. Replacement Parts: Sales of replacement parts for test pumps and equipment including gauges, valves, hoses, bladders, gaskets, and fittings.
4. Rental Equipment Support: While not direct revenue, Cherne supports distributors who rent equipment by providing quality products, technical support, and training that enables rental programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cherne Industries manufactures and sells pneumatic and mechanical pipe plugs, leak-locator plugs, hydrostatic test pumps, manhole testers, vacuum pumps, and specialty plumbing chemicals used to block, bypass, and test pipe lines in waterworks and plumbing applications. The product range spans from 3/4-inch plumbing plugs up to the world's largest 72-120 inch I-Series Test Ball Plug, supported by free safety training, technical support, and replacement parts.

Product overview

Cherne is a global leader in pipe plugs and testing equipment for the waterworks and plumbing industries, operating as a brand under the Oatey Family of Companies. The product portfolio centers on pneumatic and mechanical pipe plugs for blocking, bypassing, and testing buried pipe lines across municipal, commercial, and residential applications. The core I-Series product line includes Test-Ball blocking plugs (without bypass), Muni-Ball bypass plugs (with bypass tube), Air-Loc leak locator plugs, and Mechanical Cleanout Plugs — all featuring robotic-manufactured aluminum end plates joined to natural-rubber cores. These are supported by a full range of testing equipment including hydrostatic test pumps, joint testers, manhole testers, vacuum pumps, and specialty chemicals. Cherne also offers safety training services and a plug selector tool. Products are organized across two size categories: Waterworks plugs (8 in. and larger) and Plumbing plugs (6 in. and smaller). The I-Series family represents the flagship innovation, while the 72-120 in. Test-Ball plug holds the distinction of being the world's largest pipe plug.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I-Series: Advanced pipe plug product line featuring robotic manufacturing technology for improved durability and corrosion resistance with laser-etched identifiers

Products and services

• Cherne I-Series Test-Ball Plug Pneumatic blocking plug designed to seal pipes during testing, maintenance, and new construction. Features robotic-manufactured aluminum end plates joined to natural-rubber cores, laser-etched identifiers, and full-body cording for added durability. Available in sizes from 4-8 in. up to 24-48 in., with some models including sleeve options. Sold to waterworks and plumbing professionals through industrial distributors.
• Cherne I-Series Muni-Ball Plug Pneumatic bypass plug with a built-in bypass tube that allows effluent to be redirected through the plug or converted to complete an air acceptance test. Designed for municipal infrastructure installation and repair. Available in sizes from 4-8 in. up to 24-48 in. with various bypass diameter options (1/2 in. to 6 in.). Sold to municipal utilities and underground construction contractors.
• Cherne Air-Loc Leak Locator Leak locator plug designed for line acceptance tests and leak location testing. Can also function as a blocking plug by plugging the fill and read-back ports. Available in multiple size ranges from 4-6 in. up to 24-48 in., with new I-Series designs and RPD (Relief Pressure Device) options. Used by waterworks and plumbing contractors.
• Cherne Mechanical Cleanout Plugs Mechanical, tool-free cleanout plugs for DWV stack testing featuring a two-stage locking mechanism that secures into test and drain positions. Handles test pressures up to 150 ft. head/65 PSI with a durable, replaceable rubber pad. Available in sizes from 2 in. to 10 in. in both PVC and cast iron variants, with optional fill/drain hose configurations. Sold to plumbing contractors for DWV testing on commercial and residential projects.
• Cherne I-Series Test-Ball Plug (72-120 in.) The world's largest pipe plug, a 72-120 in. multi-size I-Series Test Ball Plug weighing 850 pounds and measuring 152 inches in length. Designed for large-diameter municipal pipe testing with exceptional back pressure handling. The only municipal plug in its size range stocked locally for immediate availability. Used on large municipal projects such as the Universal Studios Epic Universe installation.
• Waterworks Blocking Plugs Pneumatic blocking plugs sized 8 in. and larger, used for blocking flow during new construction, maintenance, or testing in freshwater, stormwater, wastewater, and sewer systems. Made of natural rubber with full body cording for durability. Sold to waterworks professionals, municipal utilities, and underground construction contractors.
• Plumbing Blocking Plugs Pneumatic blocking plugs sized 6 in. and smaller, used for blocking flow in plumbing DWV systems during testing and maintenance. Sold to plumbing contractors and service companies.
• Waterworks Bypass Plugs Pneumatic bypass plugs 8 in. and larger that redirect effluent flow through a bypass tube while blocking the main pipe, used in municipal infrastructure projects. Sold to municipal utilities and underground construction contractors.
• Plumbing Bypass Plugs Pneumatic bypass plugs 6 in. and smaller for plumbing applications, allowing flow bypass during pipe testing and repair. Sold to plumbing contractors.
• Waterworks Testing Equipment & Accessories Testing equipment including hydrostatic test pumps, air-loc joint testers, manhole testers, vacuum pumps, vacuum generators, line stringer/ventilator units, and associated accessories for waterworks pipe testing applications. Sold to waterworks professionals and municipal utilities.
• Plumbing Testing Equipment & Accessories Testing equipment including hydrostatic test pumps, air-loc testers, and accessories for plumbing pipe testing applications. Sold to plumbing contractors and service companies.
• Waterworks Specialty Chemicals Specialty chemical products including pipe cement for waterworks applications. Sold to waterworks professionals and municipal utilities.
• Plumbing Specialty Chemicals Specialty chemical products including pipe cement for plumbing applications. Sold to plumbing contractors.

Quantifiable outcome

• I-Series plugs are built to last five times longer than their predecessors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lee Jensen SalescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLee Jensen Sales is a key distributor serving the Chicago underground construction market for 45 years. The company sells and rents Cherne pipe plugs to contractors in northwestern Indiana, the Chicago area, and southern Wisconsin. Founder Lee Jensen began working with Cherne 35 years ago, and the relationship continues through current sales manager Todd Larsen.
• Stemar Equipment & Supply CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStemar Equipment is a 100+ year old underground construction supplier headquartered in downtown Los Angeles. They stock the largest inventory of pipe plugs for rental and sales anywhere in the country. Cherne partners with Stemar to strategically stock additional items in Cherne's Las Vegas, NV facility to minimize lead time for slower-turning products.
• Trench Plate Rental CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrench Plate Rental (TPR) operates 34 branches nationwide and was chosen as the beta testing partner for Cherne's I-Series product launch in Orlando. Jason Figueredo, General Manager of TPR Orlando, describes Cherne as his 'go-to brand for pipe plugs' and notes positive sales impact from the new I-Series products.
• Fisher-HarrisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFisher-Harris is Lee Jensen Sales' local sales representative agency that provides additional support and expertise alongside Cherne's own customer service team.
• National Trench SafetycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational Trench Safety (NTS) supplied and rented the world's largest 72-120 inch Cherne I-Series Test Ball Plug for the Universal Studios Epic Universe project in Orlando. NTS provides equipment rental with emphasis on trench and traffic safety, pipe plugs, and OSHA training.
• Comprehensive Energy ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCES specializes in mechanical contracting, focusing on HVAC, plumbing, and piping solutions. They contracted Cherne pipe plugs for a major chiller valve replacement project at Universal Studios Epic Universe, working with NTS for equipment rental and GPH Services for underwater installation.
• GPH ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPH Services provides site development and offers cleaning, inspection, and internal repair services for sewer and storm pipes, along with certified divers for underwater installations. They installed the 72-120 inch Cherne plug at Universal Studios under challenging zero-visibility conditions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkadDDyxuAJvmymBHdCPggw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oatey-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 oatey (brand is cherne)