ABOUT FORNEY
INDUSTRIES

Since 1932, Forney Industries has been one of America’s longest operating, family-owned, welding and metalworking companies. Our roots in innovation began with a revolutionary instant-heat soldering iron in the early 30s, followed by the first publicly available arc welder in the 1940s. Nearly a century later, Forney Industries offers thousands of metalworking products within four categories: welding, abrasives, personal protective equipment (PPE) and shop tools.

Forney has an extensive customer network across the nation, consisting of nearly 20,000 businesses in the automotive aftermarket, hardware, farm & ranch, do-it-yourself and industrial industries. With the third and fourth generation still at the company today, Forney Industries remains dedicated to our customers in addition to being an award-winning employer that values what it means to be innovative, genuine, exceptional and engaged.

We value people. Taking care of customers drives us. We develop products that are innovative and reliable

To create an exceptional welding and metalworking experience

MISSION

VISION

CORE VALUES

BE ENGAGED

Forney’s legacy inspires. We build meaningful relationships. We are committed to our customers, community, and team.

BE INNOVATIVE

Forney listens. We improve through creativity and intention. Our experience guides us.

BE GENUINE

Forney is authentic. Our integrity defines us. We act selflessly, care deeply and challenge directly.

BE EXCEPTIONAL

Forney is a partner. We are knowledgeable, dependable and provide a superior level of service and solutions.

OUR
HISTORY

1932

James Donovan Forney goes into business for himself selling "The Forney Instant Heat Soldering Iron," door to door across the heartland.

1937

The Forney nationwide sales staff grows and product literature boasts, “There’s a Forney product in every town across the USA.”

1950

The Forney product line grows to include products such as auto generators, battery chargers, more electric welders and welding supplies. A Forney central residential vacuum system and portable vacuum cleaner was soon introduced, as was the “Fornaire,” an easy-to-fly 2-seat airplane designed for the consumer market.

1961

The Forney Transportation Museum is incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization, to house the astounding assembly of transportation devices accumulated by J.D. over the years.

1968

Forney moves from a direct door to door business to calling on the hardware, automotive aftermarket and farm & ranch stores.

1990-2000

Forney continues to grow as a leading manufacturer and distributor of metalworking and welding products, expanding from $20M in sales at the beginning of the decade to $30M by the end. Additional warehousing is opened in Horseheads, New York.

2009

Forney welders were relaunched and the line was rebranded to green.

2015

Forney Industries relocates their Headquarters to 2057 Vermont Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado and moves their warehouse from Horseheads, New York to a larger facility in Tipp City, Ohio.

2022

Forney celebrates 90 years of innovation.

1936

Forney invents and produces the first successful 110-volt/125 amp and 110-volt/150 amp welders.

1945

Rural Electric Associations (REA) begins delivery of 230 volt service to farms and ranches. The sales staff procures permission from the REA to climb utility poles to connect welders for demonstrations, and Forney welders add metal repair and tool hardening to farmers’ capabilities.

1945

Forney moves into offices on Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins, CO. Sales staff continues to grow and the 500 employees in house are turning out up to 500 welders a week.

1963

Forney adds metalworking supplies to its line of welders. The product line jumps to 1,400 products from 150 outside suppliers. Forney opens a warehouse in Atlanta.

1986

Sadly, J.D. Forney passes away after 54 years in the business he created. Second generation takes over. Jack D. Forney is the new CEO and Chairman of the Board. Ted G. Anderson is named President.

2007

Steven G. Anderson (3rd generation) takes over as President and CEO.

2011

Forney Industries purchases a new warehouse & distribution facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, adding an additional 60,000 square feet of space, totaling just over 100,000 square feet.

2019

Forney expands into larger, nation-wide markets and continues to care for the smaller dealers they owe their success to today. Dane Anderson (4th generation) takes over as VP of Operations and Business Administration.

2020

Forney launches their next generation of welding and cutting machines that reflect the company’s roots of innovative and dependable products.

MEET THE
LEADERSHIP TEAM

Our passion and dedication in bringing new products to the industrial and retail markets, combined with our personal service, is unmatched in our industry. Our ability to listen to our customer’s needs enables us to create solutions to their problems.

We are dedicated to provide the highest quality customer service within our corporate headquarters and the service delivered in the field is unequaled. Above all, our employees will provide the same respect and caring attitude within the organization as they are expected to share with every Forney customer. Our goal will be to exceed our customer’s expectations through empowered people, guided by shared values and commitments.

We work hard and our customers trust us because of our integrity, teamwork and innovation of Forney products, and Steve's 90 years of unmatched product quality and an unwavering commitment to our customers.

When our customers succeed we succeed.