A-P-T Research, Inc. (APT) Company Profile

Background

Overview

A-P-T Research, Inc. (APT) is a 100% employee-owned, small business headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Established in 1990, APT specializes in providing safety and mission assurance (SMA) engineering services to both government and industry partners. The company offers a range of services, including system safety, reliability/availability/maintainability, quality engineering/assurance, software system safety/assurance, independent verification and validation (IV&V), software development and modeling, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) safety, range safety, explosives safety, airworthiness, risk analysis, and training and workforce development.

Mission and Vision

APT's mission is to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative analysis, planning, and test solutions that exceed expectations, build employee pride of ownership, and optimize shareholder value. The company's vision is to be the most nationally respected safety and technical engineering services provider to the U.S. Government and commercial clients.

Industry Significance

With over 30 years of experience, APT has established itself as a trusted provider of safety and mission assurance services, contributing to the success and safety of numerous government and industry projects. The company's expertise spans various critical areas, making it a significant player in the engineering services industry.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Delivering high-quality safety and mission assurance services.

Ensuring customer satisfaction through innovative and reliable solutions.

Fostering an employee-owned culture that emphasizes ethical behavior and exceptional performance.

Areas of Specialization

System safety engineering

Reliability, availability, and maintainability

Quality engineering and assurance

Software system safety and assurance

Independent verification and validation (IV&V)

Software development and modeling

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) safety

Range safety

Explosives safety

Airworthiness

Risk analysis

Training and workforce development

Key Technologies Utilized

Proprietary software and analytical tools for evaluating hazards and risks in explosives safety, flight safety, ground safety, and environmental engineering.

Primary Markets Targeted

U.S. Government agencies

Commercial clients

Financials and Funding

Funding History

APT is a privately held, employee-owned company and has not publicly disclosed detailed funding history.

Recent Funding Rounds

Specific details regarding recent funding rounds are not publicly available.

Notable Investors

As an employee-owned company, APT's investors are its employees.

Utilization of Capital

Capital is utilized to support the company's operations, including the development and delivery of engineering services, maintenance of proprietary technologies, and expansion of service offerings.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

APT focuses on developing and delivering a comprehensive suite of safety and mission assurance services rather than specific pipeline candidates.

Stages of Development

The company continually enhances its service offerings to meet evolving industry standards and client needs.

Target Conditions

APT's services address a wide range of safety and mission assurance requirements across various industries.

Anticipated Milestones

The company aims to achieve continuous improvement in service quality and expand its client base.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

APT has developed a variety of software, models, and analytical tools for evaluating hazards and risks in areas such as explosives safety, flight safety, ground safety, and environmental engineering.

Significant Scientific Methods

The company employs physics-based algorithms rooted in full-scale, real-world tests to determine overpressure and debris scatter predictions, particularly in explosives safety.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Tom Pfitzer: Founder and Chairman

George Gafka: Chief Executive Officer

Marty Ohme: Department of Defense Division Manager

Jorge Flores: Explosives Safety Division Manager

Terrell Profitt: Accounting Manager

Professional Backgrounds and Contributions

Tom Pfitzer: Founder and Chairman of APT, leading the company's strategic direction and growth.

George Gafka: CEO, overseeing overall operations and ensuring alignment with the company's mission and vision.

Marty Ohme: With a 22-year Navy career as a helicopter pilot, Marty joined APT in 2016 and was promoted to Department of Defense Division Manager in June 2025.

Jorge Flores: Returned to APT as Explosives Safety Division Manager in August 2024, bringing over 20 years of safety engineering experience.

Terrell Profitt: Appointed Accounting Manager in August 2024, with expertise in financial analysis and management.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The engineering services industry, particularly in safety and mission assurance, is characterized by a growing demand for specialized expertise to ensure the success and safety of complex projects.

Competitor Analysis

Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3): A Huntsville-based defense contractor with approximately $315.6 million in revenue and 732 employees.

Kord Technologies: Specializes in defense and aerospace engineering services, with $52.9 million in revenue and 156 employees.

IronMountain Solutions: Provides engineering and technical services, reporting $97.6 million in revenue and 288 employees.

Cummings Aerospace: Focuses on aerospace engineering, with $25.3 million in revenue and 82 employees.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

APT has been part of the ARES Team awarded the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Safety and Mission Assurance Services (SMAS) III contract, valued at up to $226 million.

Operational Insights

APT's employee-owned structure fosters a culture of ownership and accountability, contributing to high-quality service delivery and client satisfaction.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

APT aims to expand its service offerings, enhance technological capabilities, and strengthen partnerships with government and industry clients.

Opportunities for Expansion

The company seeks to leverage its expertise in AI/ML safety and software development to enter new markets and address emerging industry needs.

Future Objectives

APT is committed to maintaining its position as a leading provider of safety and mission assurance services through continuous innovation and exceptional service delivery.