About Us

Founded in 1935 by physicist Dr. Erwin J. Saxl, Tensitron began as the Saxl Instrument Company in New England, where Dr. Saxl invented the first true tension meters to solve a critical industrial challenge: accurately measuring and controlling tension to ensure product quality and consistency. His patented innovations established the scientific foundation of modern tension measurement.

As manufacturing expanded beyond textiles, Tensitron’s instruments evolved to serve industries including wire, filament, paper converting, coil winding, aviation, and research facilities worldwide. From the outset, the company focused on precision, repeatability, and durability in real production environments.

In the early 1980s, Tensitron introduced digital tension meters, significantly improving accuracy and functionality for high-precision applications such as fiber optics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The company remained family-owned through Dr. Saxl’s successors, later relocating to Colorado and continuing its engineering-driven approach.

In 2019, Tensitron was acquired and became part of the KTC Instruments family, strengthening its global reach and long-term customer support while preserving its tradition of precision-driven engineering.

Today, as part of the family-owned KTC organization, Tensitron continues its 90+ year legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and long-term customer support—remaining dedicated to making tension measurement precise, reliable, and dependable.