Fortive

Fortive Corporation

Company type	Public
Industry	Industrial technology, software, services
Founded	July 2016 (2016-07)
Founder	Spin-off from Danaher Corporation
Headquarters	Everett , United States
Area served	Worldwide (60 countries)
Key people	Steven Rales, Mitchell Rales (board members)
Products	Engineered products, software, services for connected workflow solutions
Number of employees	18,000+ (2022)
Website	www.fortive.com

Fortive Corporation is a leading American conglomerate in industrial technology, with its headquarters located in Everett, Washington. The company delivers vital technologies that enable connected workflow solutions by designing, manufacturing, and distributing professional engineered products, software, and services. Its operations are divided into three core segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. As of December 2022, Fortive's workforce exceeds 18,000 employees spanning 60 countries worldwide.

Originating as a spin-off from Danaher in July 2016, Fortive maintained ties with Danaher founders Steven and Mitchell Rales, who continued serving on its board post-separation. Upon gaining independence, Fortive was added to the S&P 500. Following this transition, the company divested its transportation, automation, and franchise distribution divisions. Recognition followed in 2018 and 2019 when Fortune listed Fortive among its Future 50 companies and later included it in the 2020 roster of the world’s most admired corporations.

2016

In September 2016, Fortive’s subsidiary Fluke, known for electronic testing instruments, acquired eMaint, a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) with IIoT capabilities. The next month, another Fortive unit, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, which specializes in industrial sales software solutions, purchased Global Transportation Technologies (GTT), a provider of traffic management systems.

2017

July 2017 saw Fortive acquire Industrial Scientific, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of gas detection devices. This acquisition also led to the expansion of data science and analytics operations within the city.

In September of the same year, Fortive completed the $770 million purchase of Landauer, headquartered in Glenwood, Illinois. Landauer delivers subscription-based technical and analytical services related to occupational and environmental radiation exposure as well as outsourced medical physics support.

Additionally, Gilbarco Veeder Root expanded its portfolio by acquiring Orpak Systems, a supplier of technology solutions for oil companies and commercial fleet operators.

2018

Fortive announced in July 2018 the acquisition of Accruent, a software company focused on real estate and facilities management solutions, for approximately $2 billion. Concurrently, the company agreed to acquire construction software provider Gordian from private equity firm Warburg Pincus for $775 million; Gordian’s offerings specialize in construction cost estimation and facility operations management software. Later that year in December, Tektronix completed the acquisition of Initial State.

2019

In June 2018, Fortive submitted a binding offer to acquire Johnson & Johnson’s Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) business for $2.8 billion—$2.7 billion of which was cash—with the transaction finalized in April 2019. Continuing its focus on healthcare technologies, Fortive purchased Censis Technologies in November 2019 from private equity firm Riverside; Censis is a SaaS provider based in Franklin, Tennessee specializing in surgical inventory management.

Fluke broadened its reliability segment in July 2019 by acquiring Pruftechnik, a German company recognized for precision laser shaft alignment, condition monitoring, and non-destructive testing services.

Industrial Scientific further expanded through acquisitions: following its earlier purchases of Predictive Solutions and ActiveBlu in 2017, it signed a definitive agreement in June 2019 to acquire Intelex—a Canadian SaaS provider specializing in Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality (EHSQ) management software. The subsequent month saw Industrial Scientific reach an agreement to acquire SAFER Systems, which offers real-time plume monitoring solutions tailored to chemical, oil & gas, and transportation industries.

2020

In November, ehsAI, a provider of compliance automation technology, was acquired by Intelex Technologies, a division of Industrial Scientific.

2021

In July, Fortive exercised its option to purchase TeamSense from PSL. Shortly thereafter, Fortive announced the acquisition of ServiceChannel, a global SaaS company specializing in multi-site facilities maintenance solutions with an integrated network of service providers. ServiceChannel projected fiscal year 2021 revenues of roughly $125 million, with recurring revenue close to $117 million and an anticipated long-term growth rate in the mid-teens. The $1.2 billion deal, mainly financed through cash, was intended to enhance Fortive's revenue growth by approximately 50 basis points and achieve a 10% return on invested capital within five years. Following the acquisition, ServiceChannel continues to operate autonomously within Fortive’s Intelligent Operating Solutions segment, complementing existing offerings alongside Accruent and Gordian.

In December, Fortive revealed plans to acquire Provation, a healthcare software developer, from private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group for $1.43 billion.

2023

In October, Fortive expanded its footprint in the electronic test and measurement sector by acquiring Elektro-Automatik, a German manufacturer, for $1.45 billion.

Divestitures

In October 2018, Fortive sold its automation businesses—including Kollmorgen, Thomson, Portescap, Jacobs Vehicle Systems, and associated subsidiaries—to Altra Industrial Motion for about $3 billion.

September 2019 marked the announcement of Fortive’s intention to separate into two publicly traded companies. The new entity was named Vontier in January 2020 and consolidated transportation and franchise businesses such as Gilbarco Veeder Root, Matco Tools, Hennessey, GTT, Teletrac Navman, and related affiliates. Although an initial public offering targeting $1 billion was planned, it was deferred in April 2020 due to uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Fortive directly spun off Vontier to shareholders in October 2020. After the separation, Vontier took Noble Energy’s place on the S&P 500 index.

In July 2025, Fortive completed the separation of its precision technologies division into Ralliant Corporation, establishing it as an independent publicly traded company.

Innovation

Fortive’s expansion has traditionally been driven by mergers and acquisitions alongside operational excellence rooted in the Danaher Business System. More recently, the company has prioritized organic growth by cultivating a culture centered on innovation and experimentation while integrating methodologies from Innovators DNA. This strategic focus has resulted in significant product introductions such as Tektronix’s MS05X "Elemental," Fluke’s T6 and ii900 models, Invetech’s Formulate and Fill platform, and Anderson-Negele’s paperless recorder. During the COVID-19 crisis, ASP swiftly adapted its technology to assist hospitals in sterilizing N-95 masks amid critical shortages.

In May 2020, Fortive collaborated with Pioneer Square Labs (PSL) to foster technology startups including TeamSense launched in June 2020, underscoring its dedication to innovation through strategic partnerships.

Culture

Fortive’s organizational culture is deeply rooted in the Toyota Production System, which was originally integrated by Danaher and internally rebranded as the Fortive Business System (FBS). This system is often highlighted during earnings discussions as a fundamental element driving continuous growth and operational superiority throughout its subsidiaries. The company places strong emphasis on ethical conduct and regulatory adherence, while actively promoting initiatives focused on Inclusion and Diversity. Fortive has earned multiple accolades from the Human Rights Campaign, recognizing it as a leading employer for LGBTQ Equality.

Employees at Fortive are granted one paid day each year dedicated to community volunteer work. In 2020, Newsweek included Fortive in its list of the 500 most responsible corporations.