Heritage Group Acquires FORTA to Expand Fiber-Reinforced Construction Materials

Heritage expands footprint in engineered construction materials

The Heritage Group is expanding its construction materials and specialty chemicals platform by acquiring FORTA, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of synthetic fibers used to reinforce asphalt and concrete. The deal, announced on Feb. 18, 2026, is presented as a strategic move to broaden Heritage’s offerings in durable, lower-cost alternatives to traditional reinforcement such as rebar; financial terms are not disclosed. Heritage, a fourth-generation, Indianapolis-based company that manages more than 50 businesses, is positioning the purchase as a way to accelerate adoption of fiber-reinforcement across paving and flooring markets.

The acquisition aligns Heritage with increasing industry emphasis on lifecycle performance and sustainable infrastructure. FORTA’s fibers are described as reducing construction and maintenance costs while materially extending the useful life of pavements and floors, a capability that supports municipal and commercial owners focused on total-cost-of-ownership. Heritage is expected to leverage its construction experience and materials expertise to integrate FORTA’s technology into broader project solutions, enhancing value propositions for contractors and owners seeking more durable, lower-carbon alternatives.

Heritage’s scale and operating platform give FORTA access to deeper distribution channels, project pipelines and capital for product development, the parties say. Management for FORTA signals that the combination allows acceleration of growth and improved service to existing and future customers through Heritage’s resources and innovation culture. The move also mirrors broader macro themes in infrastructure spending where durability, repair cost reduction and sustainability increasingly influence procurement and specification decisions.

Advisors and transaction context

Northborne Partners serves as financial advisor to FORTA on the transaction; the Minneapolis-based middle-market bank is noted for advising private-equity-owned and closely held industrial companies. Northborne’s managing director Ben Marks highlights FORTA’s fit with sustainable infrastructure and durability trends. Riverarch Equity Partners of Pittsburgh, which held FORTA as a portfolio company, is the selling private equity sponsor.

About FORTA and sector implications

FORTA, with decades of experience in fiber-reinforcement solutions, markets products intended to improve pavement performance, durability and efficiency compared with legacy alternatives. Industry observers say the deal signals continued consolidation in construction materials, where firms with distribution networks and project expertise seek in-house technologies that can reduce lifecycle costs for public and private owners.