Kanbrick Partners with Laboratory Testing Inc. to Fuel Long-Term Growth in Materials Testing and Calibration
In a strategic move aimed at accelerating growth and innovation within the critical field of materials testing and calibration, Kanbrick—a long-term investment partnership committed to empowering founder- and family-owned businesses—has entered into a transformative partnership with Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI). The deal, announced in April 2025, marks a new chapter in LTI’s legacy, positioning the company for future growth while reinforcing its foundational values and customer-first philosophy.
As part of this collaboration, Kanbrick will work hand in hand with the McVaugh and Hiller families, the current owners of LTI, to expand the company’s capabilities, explore new market opportunities, and scale its service offerings. This strategic alliance is expected to deepen LTI’s reach in key mission-critical industries such as aerospace, space, defense, and power generation—sectors where precision, reliability, and trust are non-negotiable.
A Shared Vision for Enduring Excellence
Founded in 1984 by Bob McVaugh, LTI was born out of a clear and growing need for dependable, high-quality materials testing services in the United States. At the time, Bob recognized the challenges that many industries faced when seeking consistent and accurate testing services, especially in sectors where the failure of a single component could have catastrophic consequences. In response, he set out to build a laboratory grounded in technical excellence, integrity, and customer commitment.
Now, more than 40 years later, LTI has grown into a third-generation, family-operated enterprise based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Under the leadership of current CEO Brandon McVaugh, the company has significantly broadened its capabilities and established itself as a premier provider of both destructive and nondestructive materials testing and calibration services. With over 2,000 customers nationwide, LTI continues to be a trusted partner for businesses that demand precision, safety, and compliance in their operations.
“We’re excited to partner with Kanbrick to continue our growth as we set out to become the leading provider of materials testing and calibration services,” said Brandon McVaugh. “Kanbrick’s focus on partnering with family-owned businesses and creating long-term value makes them the ideal fit for our business. This partnership will support LTI’s plans to serve even more customers while honoring our 40-year legacy and company values.”
Enhancing Core Services and Broadening Horizons
LTI’s service portfolio includes a comprehensive range of testing and calibration offerings, such as mechanical testing, chemical analysis, metallurgical evaluation, fatigue testing, ultrasonic inspection, radiographic testing, and hardness testing. The company is accredited to industry standards including Nadcap and A2LA ISO/IEC 17025, underscoring its commitment to quality and technical precision.
Over the past decade, LTI has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its core competencies and enter specialized niches within the testing ecosystem. A pivotal moment came in 2017, when LTI acquired Fracture Technology Associates (FTA), a respected developer of fatigue crack growth and fracture toughness testing systems. This acquisition not only expanded LTI’s technological expertise but also strengthened its ability to serve research institutions, manufacturers, and aerospace contractors with sophisticated fracture mechanics tools and software.
“LTI is a remarkable company with a long-standing reputation for excellence in serving mission-critical industries,” said Tracy Britt Cool, Co-Founder of Kanbrick. “The company has continued to innovate and diversify over the years, delivering consistent growth. We’re proud to partner with the LTI team to build on this success for the long term.”
Why Kanbrick?
Kanbrick, founded by Berkshire Hathaway alum Tracy Britt Cool and Brian Humphrey, takes a unique, hands-on approach to investment. Rather than seeking quick returns, Kanbrick focuses on creating enduring value through deep operational involvement, cultural alignment, and scalable growth strategies. The firm seeks out companies with strong leadership, high integrity, and long-term potential—qualities exemplified by LTI.
Kanbrick’s investment strategy involves working closely with management teams to refine operations, enhance organizational capabilities, and pursue expansion opportunities both organically and through acquisitions. With experience across multiple industries, Kanbrick brings a toolkit of proven practices to help companies like LTI grow responsibly and sustainably.
In LTI, Kanbrick saw a company with not only a proven track record of technical excellence but also a resilient culture centered on quality, customer service, and employee development. These shared values formed the foundation for the partnership.
The immediate focus of the new partnership will be to build on LTI’s existing strengths while setting the stage for broader expansion. This includes investing in cutting-edge testing technologies, upgrading facility infrastructure, and expanding the company’s national footprint. The leadership teams of both companies have also expressed interest in entering adjacent markets, enhancing digital capabilities, and exploring international opportunities where LTI’s reputation for quality and reliability could serve as a competitive differentiator.
Additionally, the partnership will help LTI attract and retain top engineering and technical talent by expanding career development initiatives, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement, and maintaining a strong commitment to safety and quality assurance.
From a strategic perspective, the partnership signals a clear commitment to making LTI the gold standard in materials testing and calibration. The focus will remain on serving industries where accuracy and consistency are paramount, such as aerospace, nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure development.
Legacy and Innovation: A Balanced Approach
One of the most compelling aspects of the Kanbrick-LTI partnership is its focus on honoring the past while innovating for the future. The McVaugh and Hiller families built LTI with care, resilience, and an unwavering focus on quality. Rather than disrupting that foundation, Kanbrick intends to reinforce it—supporting LTI’s leadership in maintaining the culture and standards that have defined its success for four decades.
This continuity is particularly important in industries where trust is earned over years and reputations are hard-won. The goal is not to transform LTI into something unrecognizable, but to equip it with the tools, systems, and support needed to meet new challenges and seize emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.
The partnership between Kanbrick and Laboratory Testing Inc. represents more than just an investment; it is a meeting of like-minded organizations committed to excellence, long-term growth, and service to critical industries. Together, they aim to create a stronger, more dynamic company that will continue to set benchmarks for quality and reliability in materials testing and calibration.
By blending LTI’s proven expertise and customer loyalty with Kanbrick’s strategic vision and operational support, this collaboration is poised to shape the future of the testing industry while remaining true to the legacy and values that have made LTI a trusted partner for more than 40 years.
