New Testing Lab Handles Asphalt and Concrete Fibers
BY Kristin Crawford
FORTA’s new testing lab will handle asphalt and concrete fibers in Grand Rapids
FORTA LLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan, held the grand opening of its Grand Rapids Testing Lab on Sept. 11, 2025.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Peter Ferris, CEO of FORTA, highlighted the significance of the new lab: “Today marks a historic moment, not just for our company, but for the entire industry. This facility is the world’s first asphalt and concrete fiber lab, and it stands as proof of FORTA’s role as the world’s leading innovator in fiber reinforcement. From the very beginning, we’ve led the way in strengthening asphalt and concrete, and this lab allows us to continue setting new standards for the future.”
The Grand Rapids Testing Lab is ISO 17025 certified, ensuring the highest levels of quality, accuracy and reliability. The facility can run over a dozen separate ASTM, AASHTO and EN tests, providing a range of testing and validation capabilities. More than a testing center, the lab represents a promise that every result and every innovation is backed by rigorous science and integrity.
This investment underscores FORTA’s long-standing commitment to Reinforcement That Lasts™. With infrastructure playing such a critical role in communities across the globe, the lab’s work will focus on ensuring that roads, bridges and other critical facilities are safer, stronger and built to endure for decades.
Looking forward, the lab will serve as a hub for research and development, driving innovation in fiber reinforcement technology and bringing next-generation solutions to market. A spokesperson explained this emphasizes the company’s ability to test a wide range of products within its own portfolio. But engineers at FORTA aim to test new products and innovations within the industry as a whole.
“The Grand Rapids Lab is a testament to our commitment to excellence, to innovation, and to building a stronger, more resilient future—with FORTA leading the way,” Ferris added.
For more information, visit https://fortacorp.com/.